John Dean Barr, MD $$

Dr. John Barr wanted to be a doctor since he was a young boy, but he also had great interest in mechanical and electrical devices. His undergraduate studies focused on engineering and gave him a unique perspective on medicine and led him to study neurointerventional radiology. He leverages that perspective and skill to diagnose and treat children with nervous system conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and cerebrovascular system.

 “Radiology has provided me with the ultimate opportunity to stretch the boundaries of technology to improve medical care,” he says. “And, as the father of two girls, I understand and empathize with parents when their own children need care.”

I was fortunate to be exposed to the early stages of neurovascular interventional procedures as a resident; what I saw made me intensely curious to pursue this emerging subspecialty.

Dr. Barr is skilled in a wide variety of percutaneous neurovascular interventional procedures. He is one of the pioneers of treating ischemic stroke by placing catheters into the blood vessels of the brain to directly remove blood clots. Cerebral aneurysms, vascular malformations and arteriovenous fistulae may also be treated using similar techniques.

“I was fortunate to be exposed to the early stages of neurovascular interventional procedures as a resident; what I saw made me intensely curious to pursue this emerging subspecialty.” 

Dr. Barr is certified by the American Board of Radiology and has a certificate of added qualifications in neuroradiology. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed a diagnostic radiology internship at the University of Virginia Medical Center and two fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in vascular and interventional radiology and in neuroradiology.

He is the Chief Radiology Officer for the Parkland Health and Hospital System. He is professor of radiology and neurological surgery at UT Southwestern, with research interests in endovascular treatment of stroke and other cerebrovascular disorders, image-guided percutaneous spinal surgeries and development of novel infection prevention systems.

Dr. Barr is a former president of the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery and the current vice president of the American Society of Spine Radiology. He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association, the Society of Interventional Radiology and the American College of Radiology.

Outside of his practice, Dr. Barr is an avid runner who recently completed his tenth consecutive Big Sur International Marathon. When he is not working or running, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.