In what investigators have called one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud in recent memory, a Florida woman was arrested this week for allegedly impersonating a registered nurse and treating more than 4,000 patients without a valid license.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, 29-year-old Autumn Bardisa worked at a local hospital in Palm Coast from July 2023 until her termination in January 2024. During her time at the facility she allegedly treated 4,486 patients – all under the guise that she was licensed registered nurse.
Bardisa was initially hired as an advanced nurse technician, a position meant to be supervised by licensed personnel. When applying for the job, she claimed to be an “education first” RN—a designation that acknowledges completed coursework without a passed licensure exam. Soon after, Bardisa allegedly told hospital administrators she had passed the national exam and provided a license number. The number did in fact belong to a registered nurse named Autumn—but with a different last name.
Bardisa reportedly explained the discrepancy by claiming she had recently married. When the hospital asked for her marriage certificate to confirm the name change, she failed to provide it. The issue was flagged again in January when Bardisa was offered a promotion. A colleague checked her license status, uncovering that Bardisa’s only credential was an expired certified nursing assistant (CNA) license. She was fired on January 22, and the case was referred to law enforcement.
Investigators later determined that Bardisa had stolen the license from a former schoolmate, who works at a different hospital and had no personal relationship with her. On Tuesday, Bardisa was arrested and charged with seven counts of practicing a healthcare profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification. She is currently being held on $70,000 bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
“This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we’ve ever investigated,” said Sheriff Rick Staly.
The case is unfortunately not the only recent medical impostor incident in the states. In July, a Pennsylvania woman was arrested for posing as a nurse under 20 aliases, and in November 2024 a woman was given similar charges for impersonating as a nurse in Burbank, California.
Hospital officials have not publicly named the facility where Bardisa worked, and it remains unclear whether she has obtained legal representation. Jail records did not list a forthcoming court date as of Wednesday.
