Erin Hoover Barnett, B.A. (she/her)

  • Senior Writer and Strategist, Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, School of Medicine

Biography

Erin joined the Center for Health Systems Effectiveness in July 2024 after eight years as Director of Communications for the OHSU School of Medicine. She is responsible for propelling the impact of the Center’s research. She served from 2008 to 2016 as a communications manager for Portland Public Schools. From 1993 to 2008, she covered the intersection of public policy and the public good for The Oregonian with topics ranging from K-12 education to end-of-life care/options to gentrification and community building.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 1987, Political Science, Carleton College

  • Fellowship

    • Harvard University, Nieman Journalism Fellow (2003-04). Studied racial bias in medicine and science with Prof. Evelynn Hammonds and civic engagement with Prof. Robert Putnam in a class of 24 national and international journalists.

  • Certifications

    • White Supremacy in Oregon (2019). Five-week, PSU summer course
    • Unconscious Bias Training. Inaugural trainer for the OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion. (2017-19)

Honors and awards

  • • Honorable Mention, AAMC Group on Institutional Advancement, for Bridges Alumni Magazine, the COVID-19 pandemic edition (2021) (Shared award: I was executive editor of the magazine, Rachel Shafer was the visionary managing editor)
  • • Gold Medallion Award, National School Public Relations Assoc. (2015), runner-up (2016). (Shared awards)
  • • Pulitzer Nominee, Features category (1999) “Brian’s Journey,” (Death with Dignity)
  • • Pulitzer Co-Finalist, National Reporting category (2005) “Unnecessary Epidemic,” chronicled a Coos Bay girl growing up in the shadow of her mom’s addiction for this multi-part series on the meth crisis. (Shared award with reporter Steve Suo)

Publications