Barbara's burn injury in 1977 began a deep interest in after care programs for burn survivors such as support groups, school reentry, SOAR, BEST, PEG scholarships and developing innovative interventions and materials for optimum community reentry. Barbara has written numerous articles and chapters regarding living successfully with a facial or body difference. She authored THE BOOK of Image Enhancement for Burn Survivors, a common sense approach to creating your BEST image.

Barbara served on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, and is currently co- chairperson of the Professional Advisory Committee of The Phoenix Society.

She received American Burn Association, Curtis P. Artz Distinguished Service Award, for contributions to the ABA and burn care, 2000 , and The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, World Burn Congress Breslau Award of Distinction, for contributions to burn survivors, and the Phoenix Society, 2006