66 MDG welcomes first Honorary Group Commander

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Dr. David Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass., has held a number of job titles throughout his career, each with their own unique set of responsibilities. On Feb. 6, he added one more title to that list -- 66th Medical Group Honorary Commander.

"We are especially proud to have Dr. Barrett selected to serve as our medical group's Honorary Commander," said Col. Randy Dobbins, 66th Medical Group commander. "His distinguished background in medicine is made even more significant with his decorated history of service in our Air Force as a Special Operations Flight Surgeon."

Prior to joining Lahey Clinic, Dr. Barrett had a long and distinguished career as a physician, teacher and administrator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. A native of Michigan, he received his bachelor's degree from Albion College and his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine.

In 1969, Dr. Barrett joined the U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon and is a graduate of the School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. While in the service of his country he was assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; Cam Rahn Bay Air Base and Pleiku Air Force Base, Vietnam.

Dr. Barrett was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in February 1972. He was also awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal (Five Oak Leaf Clusters) during his Air Force career.

"Dr. Barrett's wartime experience in Vietnam brings to our present day medical operations the true definition of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do," Colonel Dobbins said.

"His selection is especially meaningful in that we both flew in the same small Special Operations Unit, although a few wars apart. I believe that his long history of exemplary leadership will serve as a bridge between the re-known Lahey Clinic and our Air Force medical family here at the 66th Medical Group."

Following his Air Force career Dr. Barrett trained at the Mayo Clinic as a resident in general surgery and in urology later becoming a staff physician in 1975. He went on to serve as Chair of the Department of Urology throughout most of the 1990s.

As chief executive officer of Lahey Clinic, Dr. Barrett oversees one of the largest health care systems in New England. He continues to work as a physician in the Department of Urology and a teacher at Tufts University School of Medicine.