Melynda Barnes, MD

Melynda Barnes, MD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. She is a double board-certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and Otolaryngologist, recognized for her expertise in both fields.12

Education and Career

• Education: Dr. Barnes graduated from Stanford University and earned her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow.
• Previous Roles: Before her current position, she served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery-Otolaryngology at Yale School of Medicine and was involved with the Yale Medical Group's Board of Directors.12

Leadership at Ro

Dr. Barnes is also the Chief Medical Officer at Ro, a telehealth company where she has been instrumental in developing clinical strategies and overseeing patient safety initiatives. Her leadership has helped transform Ro into a comprehensive healthcare platform that integrates telehealth with pharmacy and in-home services.13

Recognitions and Contributions

Dr. Barnes has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Business Insider's 30 under 40 in Healthcare and recognized by Crain's New York as a notable Black executive. She has been active in public speaking engagements at prestigious venues like Harvard Business School and has contributed to various media outlets.15

Advocacy

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Barnes is a strong advocate for women's health and health equity, participating in initiatives aimed at improving healthcare access and quality for underserved populations.46