Acting Assistant Professor Heather Barnett, MD, PhD, has been awarded the Richard S. Materson Education and Research Foundation (ERF) New Investigator Research Grant. The $10,000 grant will support her research on access to inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) for survivors of firearm-related injuries, a critical public health issue in the United States.
Dr. Barnett’s study aims to address the significant gaps in understanding rehabilitation care for this vulnerable population. Firearm injuries disproportionately affect marginalized communities, particularly Black patients and adolescents, yet little is known about the rehabilitation they receive. Using national data, her research will explore disparities in IPR access compared to other injuries, differences in care between adults and adolescents, and recovery outcomes such as length of stay and discharge disposition.
The grant will be presented to Dr. Barnett during the AAPM&R Annual Assembly on Nov. 7. This seed grant is designed to support early-career researchers in topics related to physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Barnett’s work will provide essential insights into improving rehabilitation access for patients with firearm-related injuries.