About
Dr. W. Mark Barrett is a board-certified pediatrician with 26 years of primary care experience. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis in 1996. His pediatric residency took place at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he trained from 1996 to 1999. Following residency, he served three years as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Since 2002, he has practiced outpatient and newborn pediatric primary care in the private sector.
Dr. Barrett founded Hickory Pediatric Wellness to restore what he calls the sacred relationship between a doctor and the families he serves. He holds a deep commitment to listening to parents and never rushing appointments. His clinical interests include integrative and natural approaches to autism, ADHD, chronic disease, and nutrition and weight management. He treats every child as a unique individual and guides families through care decisions with patience and thoroughness. He views medicine as a calling and his practice as a vocation of service.
Education & Training
Medical School
University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, TN (M.D., 1996)
Residency
Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX (1996-1999)
Additional Training
Medical Officer, United States Navy, rank of Lieutenant Commander (1999-2002)
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Barrett right for?
Dr. Barrett is a strong fit for families who want unhurried, relationship-centered pediatric care. Parents of children with autism, ADHD, or other developmental and behavioral needs benefit from his integrative approach. He works well with families seeking natural and dietary strategies alongside conventional treatment. His care spans newborns through adolescents, making him a practical choice for multi-age households. Families in Catawba and Lincoln Counties, the Lake Norman area, and the Charlotte Metro can access both in-person and telehealth visits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Barrett treats a wide range of pediatric conditions. These include asthma, ADHD, autism, behavioral and developmental disorders, obesity, fever, rash, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, abdominal pain, skin infections, and vaccine injury. He also manages chronic disease and provides well child care from newborn through adolescence.
Yes, Dr. Barrett holds board certification in Pediatrics. He earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Dr. Barrett takes an integrative and natural approach to autism care. He focuses on appropriate medication management, environmental modifications, behavioral strategies, and nutritional guidance. He continually studies new integrative strategies to support children with autism and other special needs.
Dr. Barrett manages ADHD with an individualized care plan for each child. He incorporates natural and integrative strategies, including dietary approaches, alongside conventional options. He spends extended time with families to understand each child's specific behavioral and developmental profile.
Dr. Barrett has practiced pediatric primary care for 26 years. He completed his residency in 1999, served in the United States Navy as a Medical Officer through 2002, and has worked in outpatient and newborn pediatric care in the private sector since then.
Yes, Dr. Barrett served as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy for three years after completing his residency. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander before transitioning to private-sector pediatric practice in 2002.
Dr. Barrett believes parents deserve to be heard and never rushed. He places strong emphasis on the "first do no harm" principle and treats each child's physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being as interconnected. He views his practice as a calling and builds long-term relationships with the families he serves.
Yes, Dr. Barrett incorporates nutrition guidance and diet-focused strategies into his care plans. He uses these approaches for chronic disease management, obesity, and as part of his broader integrative care philosophy for children of all ages.
Doctor profile last updated June 11, 2026