Emporia’s Jim Barnett is going back to practicing medicine full time following his resignation at the end of the month from the Kansas Senate.
Barnett will start work Sept. 29 at the Cotton-O’Neil Clinic in Topeka. He will be part of the internal medicine group of the clinic, which is part of Stormont-Vail Health Care system.
Barnett has represented Lyon County and the rest of the 17th District in the senate since 2000. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2008. His current term expires in 2012. Previous to the legislature, Barnett was on the USD 253 Board of Education for eight years.
Even while entrenched in politics, Barnett practiced at Internal Medicine Associates in Emporia. He left that capacity May 1 to focus on his campaign for Congress. He finished second in the Republican six-candidate 1st District race.
Barnett received his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas. He is a member of various medical organizations and has received numerous honors from medical and non-medical groups over the years.
The Cotton-ONeil clinic is a multi-specilaity physicians group with 192 doctors. Barnett will work in the Robert O’Neil Building, 823 S.W. Mulvane.
Voters in the 17th District will decide in the Nov. 2 general election who will finish Barnett’s final two years in the state Senate.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Why would Dr. Barnett leave the community he so desperately wanted to represent in the Legislature?
September 13, 2010 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Doctor Barnett was a politician with a well known social agenda. He certainly wasn't unique in that, but he, like the other like minded polls, are far more interested in pushing that agenda than in representing the people of any district or state.
Ummmm....that reminds me a lot of gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback. I wonder why?
September 13, 2010 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Delaney (anonymous) says...
Sing it, Biscuitboy!
You're so polite about it.
Barnett is an empty suit. Always has been, always will be. Good riddance.
September 13, 2010 at 7:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
busybody (anonymous) says...
His poor mama !
September 13, 2010 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
Going to Cotton-O'neil? That's nice!
September 14, 2010 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
solong (anonymous) says...
bobhornet, he wasn't desperate, it was just a stepping stone. So long and the beat goes on.
September 14, 2010 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Solong, Jim Barnett is all about Jim Barnett. Emporia will be better off without him representing us in the Legislature.
September 14, 2010 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
muffett43 (anonymous) says...
It is my understanding the practice Dr. Barnett was a part of in Emporia removed that opportunity from him when he retired from their office. Most companies have agreements with employees that you can't work within a specific area, for a period of time.. Instead of the negative commments and wrong speculations, you should find out the reasons, behind a decision. I was always taught that unless you had something nice to say, don't say anything at all! Obviously you were raised differently, as I see negative comments from you frequently!
September 14, 2010 at 2:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
Good comments muffett 43.
Most of the above posters are always negative and uninformed about everything they respond to and it is indeed obvious they were not raised with the good manners your parents taught to you.
I wish Jim Barnett all of the best in returning to medicine. We need more good doctors like him who are dedicated to their patients. I know, because I am one!
September 14, 2010 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
My negative thoughts and feelings about Dr. Barnett have nothing to do with his ability or caring bedside manner as a doctor. My negativity about him stems 100 per cent from his performance as a politician and a legislator. If you enter politics you better be prepared for some of that. It is a rough and dirty game.If you can't stand the heat you better stay out of the kitchen.
The agreement everybody keeps referring to is called a no-comp (no competition) clause. They are very common in business and professional circles. They are usually agreed to at the beginning of the employment and last for a specified period of time.
September 14, 2010 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )