State panel upholds suspension of Monroe prison doctor

Dr. Julia Barnett was fired for unprofessional conduct after prisoner deaths and “unnecessary suffering.”

OLYMPIA — A decision to indefinitely suspend the license of a former medical director at the Monroe prison has been upheld after a disciplinary hearing.

Julia Barnett, 52, was fired in April 2019 from her position as medical director of Monroe Correctional Complex, following a lengthy investigation by the state Department of Corrections. The investigation found her malpractice led to insufficient medical care of at least six patients in the prison.

The Washington Medical Commission sent out a press release Friday evening announcing that a second panel of medical experts found unprofessional conduct under a provision of state law describing “incompetence, negligence or malpractice that results in injury to a patient or which creates an unreasonable risk that a patient may be harmed.”

Barnett had already been suspended in November after a review by the Washington Medical Commission. Barnett appealed. She asked to have the suspension removed while awaiting a disciplinary hearing on the matter. A separate panel heard evidence during the disciplinary hearing in January and February, before making a final finding that the indefinite suspension was warranted.

The case against Barnett involved six patients, four of whom died, according to the state Department of Health press release. The commission found Barnett failed to get each inmate the higher level of care that was required for their conditions and also failed to adequately supervise the providers involved in the patients’ care.

Among Barnett’s patients was a man with a degenerative lung disease who died in September 2018 of respiratory failure, according to DOH charges.

The prisoner, 57, was transferred to the emergency department after his oxygen saturation reached dangerously low levels and his lips turned blue. His medical condition was likely terminal. But the lack of medical attention he received under Barnett’s supervision caused him to endure unnecessary suffering, according to the DOH. The former doctor failed to develop a plan of care for the man before he died, seek consultation from a specialist or transfer him to a facility equipped with more advanced care, the charges state.

Another prisoner who died during Barnett’s time as head doctor suffered complications from a surgical wound that didn’t heal properly. The man, 55, was transferred into the prison’s inpatient unit in May 2017. Three months later, his wounds hadn’t healed and his pain worsened. When prison nurses suggested that he should be transferred to a hospital for specialized care, Barnett reportedly denied the request. Another transfer request was made several weeks later. The patient reported he could “hardly move to sit up in bed,” and he was found to be cold and clammy, with rapid breathing and a rapid heartbeat.

He died from septic shock and acute pancreatitis five days after he was transferred to a local hospital. Barnett’s failure to oversee the prisoner’s declining health and provide him with adequate treatment was described by the DOH as “substandard care” that caused him unnecessary pain in the last weeks of his life.

Barnett’s attorney D. Jeffrey Burnham declined to comment Tuesday, when a Daily Herald reporter reached him by phone.

Barnett was hired by the Department of Corrections in March 2017. She was making $260,000 per year at the time of her firing.

Barnett may petition to reinstate her license after undergoing a clinical skills evaluation and a multidisciplinary evaluation. She must also complete an ethics course. If her license is reinstated, she will be subject to Washington Medical Commission oversight and monitoring, and she would be required to abide by any rules set by the evaluators.

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Everett
Everett man, linked to Dec. 31 pipe bomb, appears in federal court

Police say Steven Goldstine, 54, targeted neighbors with racial slurs and detonated a pipe bomb in their car.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council approves budget amendment for staffing, stadium funding

The amendment budgets for some new employees and costs for the city’s multipurpose stadium project.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

A damaged vehicle is seen in the aftermath of a June 2024 crash in Thurston County, in which the driver of another vehicle was suspected of speeding and driving under the influence. (Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff Office)
Washington Senate passes bill to require speed limiting devices for habitual speeders

The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday attempting to stop habitual speeders… Continue reading

A student walks down a hallway at Evergreen Middle School past a sign displaying different values the students should embody while occupying the space on a 2024 school day in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington takes ‘historic’ step toward full funding for special education

The House passed a Senate bill that ditches a cap on the flow of state dollars to school districts.

Adopt A Stream invites volunteers to plant trees along Quilceda Creek

The Tulalip Tribes and the Adopt A Stream Foundation will… Continue reading

Snohomish County Council member offers new proposal for habitat ordinance

Jared Mead wrote an amendment as an attempt to balance environmental concerns and housing needs.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.