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The Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners has placed on probation the medical license of Dr. Judy Travis.

The Demopolis physician was under an order since April to cease from the practice of medicine within Alabama until an administrative commission rendered a decision on an ASBME complaint. With a decision rendered, Dr. Travis is now preparing to re-open her clinic next week.

The hearing was held on July 23, leading to the commission ordering that Travis’ license to practice medicine in Alabama be placed on probation, restricting her from prescribing certain controlled drugs, subject to certain terms and conditions. The conditions of the probation include that Travis submit to a neurophysciatric evaluation and to “complete further testing, evaluation, or treatment recommended,” the decision stated.

In the decision dated August 9, the commission stated that evidence and testimony revealed that Travis prescribed medications for herself and family members; that she failed to maintain medical records on those individuals; failed to indicate a diagnosis to support or explain the treatment; failed to keep a controlled substance log, which included records for dispensing Schedule II amphetamines for at least one patient and the diagnosis and reason for prescribing; signed prescriptions in bulk when presented to her by a certified registered nurse practitioner; dispensed Lyrica and Tramadol to patients without proper registration; and that she prescribed combinations and high doses of medications which were dangerous to the health of patients.

Travis said that while she disagrees with parts of the ASBME’s findings, that she looks forward to re-opening her Demopolis clinic and treating patients.

“Nothing I did was illegal, but their stance is that it was unethical. I treated my family and I’m the one who told (the ASBME) that. I did not try to hide it. But, I will not do it again … the only thing I’ll do is CPR,” Travis said.

Travis also said she felt the investigating commission ignored that as a hospice director she is exempt from having to register as a dispensing physician for certain drugs, including Tramadol. “I will seek clarification on that. I did it once, but certainly won’t be doing it again.”

“Basically, providing care to my family is considered an ethical issue and the dispensing of drugs is a clerical issue,” Travis said.

The doctor said she feels fortunate, considering what others have gone through, that she will participate in an out-patient evaluation at UAB as requested by the commission.

“Because of my age and these accusations, I want to do it. (The ASBME) knows I’m not a pill-pusher, which is why I’m going to UAB as an outpatient. Other doctors have been through much worse,” she said.

For Travis, it will be back to business as she looks forward to re-opening the doors of her downtown Demopolis clinic on Thursday, August 22. Travis states she is allowed to perform all the work of a practicing physician, but for now will not be prescribing substances controlled under the Alabama Controlled Substances Act.

“I have great patients and the people who know me know I do everything upfront,” she said. “Still, I’m going to work hard to get this all fixed.”