Baptist Health appoints Kate Barrier, MD, vice president of medical affairs for Baptist Clay

Baptist Health has named Kate Barrier, MD, MHCDS, FACEP, vice president of medical affairs for Baptist Medical Center Clay.

Reporting directly to the health system’s chief medical officer and collaborating with its chief quality officer, Dr. Barrier will work closely with Baptist Clay’s medical staff and administration to deliver effective patient-centric streamlined clinical care. She will be responsible for overseeing clinical quality and patient safety at Baptist Clay.

Dr. Barrier has been a member of Baptist Health’s medical staff since 2015 through her employment with Emergency Resources Group (ERG), which provides emergency care at Baptist Health.

Most recently, Dr. Barrier served as a medical director at Baptist Health, where she led the development and execution of a comprehensive sepsis management strategy. In this role, she advanced sepsis care delivery across the health system, streamlined electronic medical record (EMR) processes, and enhanced data development efforts. Concurrently, she also served as the Director of Clinical Quality at ERG, leading clinical performance initiatives and implementing best practices to improve patient safety and drive operational excellence.

“Dr. Barrier is a proven and effective leader who is committed to continuous improvement. She brings energy, enthusiasm and passion for quality that truly represents the future of our health system,” said Timothy Groover, MD, MBA, FASA, CPE, FACHE, executive vice president and system chief medical officer. “We are excited to have her in this vital role.”

Dr. Barrier received her medical degree from the University of Florida and has held numerous leadership positions in clinical quality and safety. She has a master’s degree in Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth Tuck School of Business and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

“This opportunity represents an exciting next step toward greater involvement and growth in health care administration and leadership,” Dr. Barrier said. "One of my personal goals has been to bring the voice of emergency medicine to the table, because it brings valuable perspective to the broader hospital strategy. I am looking forward to working with the team at Baptist Clay in this capacity.”