License of former head doctor at Monroe prison indefinitely suspended

The Washington Medical Commission has indefinitely suspended the license of Monroe prison’s former medical director over acts officials say constituted “unprofessional conduct and negligence” concerning her role at the facility.

The license of Lake Stevens Dr. Julia A. Barnett was suspended in November 2020 pending a disciplinary hearing, which has been completed.

She was fired in the spring of 2019 after an internal investigation determined six inmates, including four who died, suffered due to inadequate care received under her watch.

According to a WMC release, Barnett “...repeatedly failed to ensure the patients’ care needs were met. Dr. Barnett also failed to adequately supervise the providers involved in the patients’ care.”

Barnett can petition to get her license reinstated, but only after she undergoes clinical skills and multidisciplinary evaluations and completes an ethics course.

“If her license is reinstated, she will be subject to WMC oversight and monitoring and must abide by any recommendations and resulting restrictions made by the evaluators,” the release stated.

©2021 Cox Media Group