Dr. Michael John Barrett, MD

I am a native Oregonian, born in Albany. My father's family started a farm equipment company there (Barrett Brothers) at the turn of the century, which eventually turned into selling Studebakers, Buicks, and International trucks. I spent my early years picking beans and strawberries, eventually working on farms and local mills. I put myself through college and medical school in Portland (well, some loans were involved but they are all paid off).

I met a friend in college who played jazz, so I ended up in New York trying to play there, but heard too many players that were better than I was on trumpet. I ended up doing Pediatrics in Upstate New York because of that connection, then on to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia before settling on allergy and immunology at Duke University Medical Center.


About my practice

I am lucky to be in a very high-functioning department of six allergy providers. We all work together well and meet frequently to discuss how to improve …customer satisfaction for our patients. We also have frequent journal clubs in which we discuss recent advances in our field. I consider myself lucky to be working in the most collegial Department of Allergy and Immunology in the city!How I thrive

Exercise helps me get through the week, as my job is pretty sedentary. I have been an avid runner most of my life (getting slower every year I am afraid) and have recently gotten into swimming as well as some cycling.

I love to ski, cross country ski, and backpack. My job provides me a lot of daily variety and certainly keeps me on my toes as something new seems to arise every day.