From Communication to Compassion: UVA Wise Alumna Shares Her Journey

Some paths in life are shaped by the choices we make, and others by the challenges we face. For Brianne (Foster) Barker ’14, her time at UVA Wise laid the foundation for her career, and the chapters that followed gave her journey a deeper meaning, defined by resilience, family and purpose.

Originally from Pound, Va., Barker started her academic journey at UVA Wise as a communication studies major, inspired by her older sister, Kristi (Foster) Longworth, who also majored in communication studies and graduated from the College in 2005 after a positive and impactful experience. After choosing to follow in her sister’s footsteps, Barker quickly realized that she had found a home within the discipline.

“The communication studies professors made a huge impact on me. They really made an investment in me personally and as a student, and I really appreciate that because that was at a time when I needed it most,” said Barker, pointing to UVA Wise Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Department Chair Rachel Tighe and Professor of Communication and Appalachian Studies Amy Clark.

“One of the biggest things that I took away from my experience here was learning that the Appalachian culture and the Appalachian dialect is something significant and worth celebrating. Occasionally, when I would travel away from this region, people would comment on my accent. Taking classes and learning about dialect and vernacular really opened my eyes. I often quote Professor Clark’s lectures, which emphasized that our dialect is nothing to be ashamed of and that it should be embraced. That is definitely something that still sticks with me.”

After graduating from the College, Barker went on that fall to pursue a master’s degree in professional communication, where she was able to teach lectures to undergraduate students and assist the lead communications professor as a teaching assistant. Once she completed her master’s degree in 2016, she landed a marketing position at Eastman, where she worked for seven and a half years before continuing her marketing career at Ballad Health beginning in October 2024. Nearing her one-year anniversary, her current role involves overseeing the healthcare system’s mobile apps, both internal and external, as well as managing various other responsibilities.

Barker’s interest in healthcare marketing began around three and half years ago when her younger sister, Savannah (Foster) Johnson, who graduated from UVA Wise in 2019, started experiencing troubling symptoms. Unsure what was wrong and feeling unwell, Savannah turned to the Ballad Health app with MyChart to schedule an appointment for bloodwork. After her visit and subsequent tests, it became clear that Savannah’s diagnosis was far more serious than a bout of bronchitis. Had it not been for her ability to access a healthcare provider through her phone, she might not have been able to be seen so quickly, which could have potentially delayed her diagnosis. She was later diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), marking the beginning of an unexpected, years-long journey that would involve extensive travel, numerous doctor’s visits and hospital stays and two stem cell transplants, the second of which Barker was able to serve as Savannah’s donor.

“Being her donor meant the world to me,” Barker continued. “It felt like I was fulfilling the ultimate duty as a big sister. If I were to have accomplished nothing after that, it would have been okay because I could say that helping her was my greatest accomplishment.”

Savannah went on to courageously beat the disease twice before being diagnosed a third time in late September 2024. She continued her fight for several months before passing away in July 2025. Those who knew her saw firsthand that her determination, bravery and desire to live were truly unparalleled, inspiring everyone around her even in the most difficult moments.

When asked how she might describe Savannah to the UVA Wise community, Barker smiled.

“She was truly a light in this world. She was so authentic, she had a clear sense of what she wanted from life and never wavered. She set goals for herself and did everything in her power to pursue them. She was the silliest, funniest, coolest little sister. And going forward, I will always welcome the opportunity to share her story and help others that are going through similar circumstances,” said Barker.

Savannah would often take to social media to share her journey. From her Facebook group, ‘Savannah’s Squad’ to her personal TikTok, she built a following of supporters, some local and some complete strangers. She shared her day-to-day experiences while also educating others about acute myeloid leukemia, helping raise awareness and understanding of the disease.

“I still have people reaching out two months after her passing. Some tracked me down from her TikTok, wondering how she was doing since they hadn’t seen an update in a while,” said Barker. “People have shared with me how much she helped them and gave them hope. One person told me they had never heard of AML, typed it into the TikTok search bar, and her videos popped up. I want to continue raising awareness about the disease and help those who are going through it now.”

Barker’s experience with Savannah’s diagnosis shaped her perspective on healthcare access, especially in rural regions where transportation and digital literacy can make it difficult for patients to see a doctor or use telehealth tools. She saw firsthand how Savannah relied on the MyChart app almost like a daily social feed, using it to stay connected with her care team and manage her treatment. Before that, Barker hadn’t realized how crucial and ubiquitous such tools could be for patients undergoing ongoing care. The experience inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare marketing, with a focus on making it easier for patients to access care and improving the overall healthcare experience. She also emphasizes her love for the region and its people, wanting to help the communities thrive while supporting individuals as they navigate their health journeys.

“Digital healthcare tools aren’t just convenient; they can be lifesaving,” said Barker. “My goal is to keep finding ways to make it easier for people, especially in rural areas, to access the care they need.”

Barker’s desire to make healthcare more accessible and patient-friendly naturally drew on the skills she developed as a communications studies major, from crafting clear messages to understanding audiences and digital engagement.

“I am very fortunate and so glad I chose the communication studies program because it is so broad, yet so specific. I didn’t want to pigeonhole myself into one particular job or skill. Marketing itself is such a broad field; you can do traditional, digital, or a mix of both, but communication is at the core of all of it,” said Barker. “The program is broad enough that you can enter almost any field, and everything you learn is still applicable. Many of the professional and technical skills come later as you gain experience in different roles, but at the foundation is the communication piece, which you can carry with you no matter where you go.”

Considering her own path as well as her sister’s experiences, Barker reflected on how she might encourage students to embrace their opportunities.

“I hope to inspire students to know that it’s okay if you don’t have a clear vision for your life right away. I didn’t, and I took it a few months at a time. Life is full of twists and turns, and you can either let them hold you back or use them as opportunities to learn and grow. For me, moving away from my hometown and getting a broader perspective helped me see the possibilities and figure out what I wanted to do. I learned to take opportunities as they came, and that mindset has made all the difference. Communication skills are at the core of everything I do, and if you can communicate effectively, you’ll thrive no matter what career path you choose,” said Barker.