By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
A Boca Raton, Florida, woman was arrested on June 21, 2013, after authorities say she posed as a nurse and offered Botox injections. The fake nurse has been charged with unlicensed practice of a health care professional. If found guilty, the phony nurse could be sentenced to up to five years in jail. This was a joint investigation between the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Investigative Services Unit, the City of Boca Raton Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections.
To read the press release from the DOH, click here.
Undercover Agents Visited Fake Nurse at her Place of Business.
According to The Palm Beach Post, officials began their investigation of the fake nurse on June 6, 2013, after receiving an anonymous tip. Local police officials and the DOH set up an undercover sting. Days later an undercover agent scheduled a Botox appointment with the phony nurse and then visited the office. Hours later, investigators allegedly arrested the fake nurse.
Click here to read the entire article from The Palm Beach Post.
According to the DOH, this is not the first time she has claimed to be a nurse and got caught. The same phony nurse was allegedly previous arrested for unlicensed activity in Palm Beach, Florida, according to DOH authorities.
Verifying the License of a Health Care Professional.
This particular woman allegedly claimed to be an operating room nurse and on the website Groupon.com she allegedly claimed to be a surgical nurse.
The DOH has several resources to fight unlicensed activity. Patients are encouraged to check the DOH’s website to verify the license information of their health care providers. Complaints can also be filed calling the DOH. Click here to view the DOH’s website.
Practicing Without a License Is a Crime.
Practicing medicine without a license is a crime. Additionally, so is helping someone practice medicine without a license. As a practitioner, you may be asked to supervise or join a practice. Remember, your license may be at stake with any wrongdoing by your subordinates. Before you join a practice or agree to supervise others, check first with the DOH that the other providers are legitimate. You can verify a license for free on the DOH’s website.
Remember, a license to practice medicine in Venezuela, Cuba, or anywhere else, is just that: a license to practice in that country. It does not allow a person to practice medicine in the United States.
More Stories on Fake Physicians and Other Health Professionals to Come.
In the future on this blog, we will continue to include additional articles on fake doctors and health professionals.
To see a blog on a fake South Florida dentist and the damage he inflicted on a teenage girl, click here. To read a blog on an infamous Florida teen impersonating a physician assistant (PA), click here. You can also read the story of a fake plastic surgeon in New York by clicking here.
Contact a Health Law Attorney Experienced in Representing Health Care Providers in DOH Cases.
If you find yourself working for or supervising someone that does not have a valid Florida license, your own license may be at risk. If and when the Department of Health (DOH) becomes involved, do not sign anything, do not speak to the investigators and do not make any statements. Contact an experienced health law attorney immediately to review your case.
The Health Law Firm represents physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, pharmacies and other health care providers in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits involving the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Department of Health (DOH), and other law enforcement agencies. If you are aware of an investigation of you or your practice, or if you have been contacted by the DEA or DOH, contact an experienced health law attorney immediately.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
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Sources:
Florida Department of Health. “Joint Investigation Leads to Arrest in Palm Beach County.” Florida Department of Health. (June 21, 2013). From: http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/newsroom/2013/05/062113Goldman.pdf
Alcantara, Chris. “Woman Arrested a Second Time for Allegedly Posing as Nurse, Offering Botox Injections in Boca Raton.” The Palm Beach Post. (June 22, 2013). From: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/woman-arrested-a-second-time-for-allegedly-posing-/nYSDh/
Entin, Brian. “Sheri Goldman: Boca Woman Arrested After Police Say She Offered Botox, Told People She was a Nurse.” WPTV. (June 21, 2013). From: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/boca-woman-arrested-after-police-say-she-offered-botox-and-told-people-she-was-a-nurse
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. – The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
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