Disciplinary panel upholds suspension of prison doctor

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A disciplinary panel has upheld a decision to indefinitely suspend the license of a former medical director at the Monroe prison. Julia Barnett was fired in 2019 from her position as medical director of Monroe Correctional Complex following an investigation by the state Department of Corrections. The investigation found she provided insufficient medical care for at least six patients in the prison. Barnett’s attorney D. Jeffrey Burnham declined to comment Tuesday. The Washington Medical Commission had suspended Barnett in November but she appealed. A separate panel heard evidence in January and February before finding the indefinite suspension was warranted.