Stephanie Barnett

Dr. Stephanie Barnett (played by Sara Rue) is a doctor and highly distinguished surgical resident at Fremont Memorial who is first seen with Howard at the Mars Rover's secret operating facility. When Howard's plan to let her drive the rover failed, she left with Leonard and the two immediately became attracted to each other. Sheldon began meddling in Stephanie and Leonard's new relationship in an effort consolidate it, since in his eyes, Stephanie was the only "tolerable" mate Leonard had had. After several weeks of dating, Stephanie officially began living with Leonard in his and Sheldon's apartment. However, after much hesitance, Leonard told her to move out because he was uncomfortable with the pace of the relationship. Although they weren't seen breaking up on camera, evidence suggests their relationship ended. Stephanie did her medical internship at Lawrence Memorial in Galveston, Texas, which is where Sheldon was born.