Michelle Barnett
PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA
Introduction
Location : Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Specialty : MASLD
BIO
Michelle Barnett is a highly experienced physician assistant specializing in patient-focused and evidence-based hepatology at Peak Gastroenterology Associates in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most rewarding part of her position includes educating patients and collaborating with other GI advanced practice providers to enhance care for the growing MASLD/MASH population. She is now a subinvestigtor for hepatology clinical trials with Peak in Colorado Springs. With over 30 years in the GI and liver communities, she has held leadership roles, including serving as President of the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and receiving CAPA's Physician Assistant of the Year award. She is a national speaker and has given lectures for the AAPA, GHAPP and AANP.
A graduate of Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska, Michelle has been recognized with the DFAAPA distinction and honors such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation's IBD internship and the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders Ally Award. Passionate about holistic care, she incorporates lifestyle strategies like nutrition, yoga, and meditation into her practice.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys hiking, travel, musical theater, and supporting her favorite Colorado sports teams.
Highlighted Events
GHAPP Regional
May 15 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm PST
Speakers: Sherona Bau, MSN, ACNP, CNS UCLA Health Los Angeles, CA Jill Olmstead, DNP, NP-C, FAANP Providence Healthcare Fullerton, C..
GHAPP Regional
May 29 @ 12:00 pm - 12:00 pm MST
Speakers: Christina Hanson, FNP-C South Denver Gastroenterology Michelle Barnett, PA Peak Gastroenterology..
GHAPP Eighth Annual Conference
September 04 @ 12:00 pm - September 06 @ 12:00 pm MDT
About the 2025 GHAPP Conference The GHAPP conference is the only conference specifically designed by advanced practice providers (APPs) for the pur..
Pacific Northwest GI & Liver Update
October 03 @ 12:00 pm - October 04 @ 12:00 pm PST
The 2025 Pacific Northwest GI and Liver Conference will deliver focused educational updates highlighting clinically relevant advances in the managemen..
MASLD-MASH Content Featuring Michelle
Clinical Deep Dive: Unlocking the Treatment Potential of Rezdiffra
This educational discussion dives into Rezdiffra, the first and only FDA-approved therapy for non-cirrhotic metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced fibrosis. The talk provides a clinical deep dive into the progression of MASH and fibrosis, highlighting the risks of untreated disease and the importance of early intervention. A key focus is the thyroid hormone receptor beta mechanism, explaining how Rezdiffra directly targets liver-specific pathways to reduce hepatic fat accumulation and fibrosis. Additionally, the discussion covers the rigorous FDA approval process and dual efficacy endpoints, detailing how Rezdiffra achieved significant fibrosis improvement and steatohepatitis resolution in the MAESTRO-NASH trial. The session also provides practical insights into patient access, prescribing considerations, and managing common side effects. With over 2,000 patients studied, Rezdiffra has demonstrated a strong safety profile and offers a once-daily oral treatment option that represents a major advancement in MASH management. This discussion is essential for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and endocrinologists managing patients with MASH, as well as primary care providers and cardiologists who play a role in identifying at-risk individuals. If you are a healthcare professional looking to stay updated on the latest MASH research and treatment strategies, this session provides the insights you need.
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Management of Life Style Modification
This video focuses on the comprehensive management of patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), emphasizing lifestyle modifications, dietary adjustments, and exercise strategies. Key topics include the importance of addressing risk factors like diet, exercise habits, and alcohol intake, as well as referrals to medically supervised weight loss clinics or bariatric surgery for advanced cases. The speaker highlights the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, intermittent fasting, and avoiding ultra-processed foods while discussing the role of resistance training to combat sarcopenia and maintain muscle mass. Practical advice and tailored recommendations ensure a holistic approach to managing MASH and improving patient outcomes.
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Third Step of Life Style Management
This video provides a comprehensive overview of emerging pharmacologic treatments for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and their tailored applications based on patient profiles. Topics include FDA-approved therapies, drugs in advanced clinical trials (such as semaglutide and lanifibranor), and the potential for combination treatments targeting both steatohepatitis and fibrosis. The speaker emphasizes the importance of patient-specific approaches considering metabolic profiles, obesity, and diabetes status, alongside lifestyle interventions. Additionally, the video discusses the evolving interdisciplinary care model and highlights the exciting progress in non-invasive testing and treatment advancements for F2-F3 fibrosis.
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Approved Medication for MASH/NASH
This video provides detailed guidance on selecting and monitoring patients for emerging therapies targeting advanced fibrosis (F2-F3) in NASH. Key topics include contraindications for patients with cirrhosis, considerations for concomitant medications, and dose adjustments for statins. The video outlines ideal candidates based on specific thresholds for VCTE, MRE, ELF scores, and other non-invasive tests while emphasizing the importance of ruling out portal hypertension and other liver diseases. It also reviews a stepwise monitoring approach, focusing on tolerability at three months and efficacy assessments at six and twelve months, with an emphasis on histologic and non-invasive test improvements.
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Types of Diet for the Treatment of MASLD
This video explores comprehensive strategies for managing metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), focusing on fibrosis risk stratification, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacologic interventions. Learn about dietary recommendations like the Mediterranean diet, exercise guidelines emphasizing resistance training, and the role of intermittent fasting and processed food avoidance. The video also highlights weight loss targets, diabetes management, and emerging therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and bariatric surgery, all aimed at improving liver health and patient outcomes.
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NITs to Identify High Risk MASH Patients
Explore advancements in non-invasive diagnostics and risk stratification for liver fibrosis and MASH. This video highlights tools like FIB-4, transient elastography, and innovative scoring systems (e.g., FAST and Agile) to identify and predict outcomes for high-risk patients. Learn about serum biomarkers, updated guidelines, and the role of lifestyle interventions alongside targeted therapies for managing metabolic risks and advancing care in hepatology.
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