A Florida woman has been arrested after it was discovered that she posed as a registered nurse, treating over 4,000 patients while lacking the proper qualifications. Autumn Bardisa, aged 29, worked at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway from July 2023 until January 2025. Concerned hospital administrators initiated a police investigation after terminating her contract due to doubts surrounding her qualifications.
Authorities revealed that Bardisa had provided medical care to 4,486 patients between June 2024 and January 2025. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly emphasized the severity of the situation, calling it "one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we've ever investigated."
Bardisa allegedly submitted false documentation, including a license number that belonged to another nurse with the same first name, working at a different facility. When discrepancies were noticed, she claimed it was a name change resulting from marriage, but failed to provide a marriage license as requested.
Her situation escalated in January when she was offered a promotion. Concerned coworkers reported her when they realized her nursing assistant's license had expired, prompting the termination of her contract and the start of a criminal investigation spanning seven months. She faces multiple charges, including seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of identity fraud.
Bardisa was apprehended in her scrubs at home on August 5, according to investigators. Sheriff Staly expressed grave concerns about the potential risks posed by Bardisa's actions to patients and the wider medical community. The Sheriff's Office has established a dedicated email for anyone who suspects they were treated by Bardisa, and she remains in custody at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, held on a $70,000 bond.
