Florida Woman Arrested for Impersonating Nurse and Treating Over 4,400 Patients
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Autumn Bardisa, a 29-year-old woman from Palm Coast, Florida, was arrested on August 5 after being accused of impersonating a nurse and providing medical care to over 4,400 patients without a valid medical license. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that Bardisa was apprehended at her home, still wearing her scrubs, following a months-long investigation. The sheriff considered this case as “one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud” they had ever probed.
According to authorities, Autumn Bardisa allegedly portrayed herself as a licensed nurse and administered medical services to thousands of individuals between June 2024 and January 2025, despite never holding a valid nursing license. Her employment at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway in Palm Coast began in July 2023 but was terminated on January 22, 2025. The arrest transpired after a thorough seven-month inquiry into Bardisa’s alleged misdeeds.
Hospital administrators reported that Bardisa had been fired for impersonating a registered nurse by using another person’s license number and submitting falsified documents to secure employment as an advanced nurse technician at the facility. She had claimed to have passed the exam to become a registered nurse but failed to provide a genuine license. Bardisa also allegedly provided a license number under a different name, supposedly due to a recent marriage, yet never presented any documentation to verify this claim.
Following an internal investigation, it was revealed that Bardisa’s license had expired, prompting her dismissal from AdventHealth earlier in 2025. The hospital enlisted the help of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to scrutinize the case. An arrest warrant was issued charging Bardisa with seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
Sheriff Rick Staly condemned Bardisa’s actions, highlighting the potential jeopardy she had imposed on numerous lives by deceitfully posing as a healthcare professional. He commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and medical institutions in exposing Bardisa’s fraudulent conduct. AdventHealth declined to comment on the matter, citing it as a private personnel issue.
The severity of the allegations against Autumn Bardisa underscores the importance of stringent background checks and verification procedures in healthcare settings to prevent such fraudulent activities. The swift response from authorities in apprehending the suspect demonstrates a commitment to upholding the integrity and safety of patients within the medical community.
The implications of this case reverberate beyond the individual arrested, shedding light on the vulnerabilities within healthcare systems that may be exploited by unscrupulous individuals. It serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring the delivery of safe and accurate medical care to the public.
As the legal proceedings progress, it remains imperative for regulatory bodies and healthcare institutions to review and reinforce their protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The diligence and cooperation exhibited by law enforcement agencies in uncovering this case should serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to upholding the standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in the healthcare sector.
In the aftermath of this alarming revelation, stakeholders in the healthcare industry are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the integrity of their practices, thereby safeguarding the well-being and trust of patients who rely on their expertise and care. The apprehension of Autumn Bardisa serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the imperative need for stringent oversight and vigilance to preserve the sanctity of medical services and protect the welfare of patients under their care.
Overall, the case of Autumn Bardisa underscores the critical need for robust regulatory mechanisms and oversight in healthcare settings to prevent incidents of medical fraud and uphold the highest standards of patient safety and care. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement and healthcare institutions in this investigation exemplify a proactive approach to maintaining the integrity of the medical profession and ensuring the well-being of the community.