Florida Woman Posed as Nurse, Treated Over 4,400 Patients

Autumn Bardisa used another nurse's license to work at AdventHealth for 7 months

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a hospital ID badge or medical instrument, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigative nature of this healthcare fraud case.A shocking case of medical fraud exposes vulnerabilities in hospital credentialing processes.Palm Coast Today

A 29-year-old Florida woman named Autumn Bardisa pleaded no contest to unlicensed practice of health care and fraudulent use of identification after posing as a licensed nurse and treating over 4,400 patients at AdventHealth between June 2024 and January 2025. Bardisa used another nurse's license number to get hired and later promoted as an advanced nurse technician, despite never holding a valid nursing license herself.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious risks and potential harm that can occur when unqualified individuals impersonate medical professionals and treat patients. It also raises questions about hospital credentialing processes and how such an extensive fraud could go undetected for so long, potentially endangering the health and safety of thousands of patients.

The details

Authorities say Bardisa never held a valid nursing license and instead used the license number of another nurse who shared her first name. She allegedly falsified records to get hired and later promoted as an advanced nurse technician at AdventHealth. The case began to unravel when a coworker checked her credentials and found only an expired certified nursing assistant license, prompting a broader probe by state and federal health agencies.

  • Bardisa worked at AdventHealth between June 2024 and January 2025.
  • Bardisa pleaded no contest to the charges this week.

The players

Autumn Bardisa

A 29-year-old Florida resident who posed as a licensed nurse and treated over 4,400 patients at AdventHealth over a 7-month period, despite never holding a valid nursing license.

AdventHealth

The hospital system where Bardisa fraudulently worked as a nurse technician for several months.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly

The sheriff who called Bardisa's conduct "potentially endangered patients" and "ruined her career," describing it as one of the most significant medical fraud cases his agency has handled.

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What they’re saying

“Bardisa's conduct "potentially endangered patients" and "ruined her career,”

— Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly

“I have a million 'whys' floating around in my mind about the case.”

— The nurse whose license Bardisa used

“Bardisa described her actions as a simple case of someone "not crossing their I's, dotting their T's, making sure everything was complete.”

— Autumn Bardisa

What’s next

Officials are urging anyone who believes Bardisa may have treated them to contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious risks to patient safety and the need for hospitals to have robust credentialing processes to verify the qualifications of medical staff. It also raises concerns about the potential for similar fraud to occur in the healthcare system if proper safeguards are not in place.