By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
An 18-year-old Florida teenager was found guilty on August 30, 2012, of impersonating a physician’s assistant (PA) and practicing medicine without a license. According to the court case, he will be sentenced on November 14, 2012, and faces up to 25 years in prison on the felony counts.
To view the court records from this case, click here.
Teen Allegedly Treated ER Patients at a Central Florida Hospital.
The charges stemmed from August 2011, when the then 17-year-old allegedly talked a Kissimmee hospital administrator into giving him a PA’s badge, this is according to an ABC News article. Trial prosecutors accused the teen of wearing scrubs and a stethoscope around his neck while in the hospital to play the part.
In the ABC News article, an emergency room physician assistant at the hospital stated that he witnessed the teen with a stethoscope on a patient’s chest, listening to the patient’s breathing sounds and holding a catheter. The teen apparently told police he administered CPR to a patient when asked to by a doctor at the hospital.
Click here to read the entire ABC News article.
Jury Handed Down a Verdict of Guilty to Four Charges.
In less than five hours of deliberation, the jury found the teen imposter guilty of two counts of impersonation and on two counts of practicing without a license, according to ABC News. He faces up to 25 years in prison and will be sentenced on November 14, 2012.
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Sources:
Schriffen, John and Clarke, Suzan. “Matthew Scheidt, 18, Found Guilty Impersonating Physicians Assistant.” ABC News. (August 30, 2012). From:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/matthew-scheidt-18-found-guilty-impersonating-physicians-assistant/story?id=17121061
Curtis, Henry. “Medical Impostor Matthew Scheidt Weeps as Jurors Find Him Guilty.” Orlando Sentinel. (August 30, 2012). From: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-08-30/news/os-matthew-scheidt-to-jury-20120830_1_matthew-scheidt-mental-patient-emergency-room
State of Florida v. Scheidt, Matthew. No. 2011 CF 003613 Osecola County (August 30), available at http://198.140.240.34/pa/.
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.
Tag Words: licensing issues, licensing and regulatory, practicing medicine without a license, licensure cases, physicians, physician’s assistants (PA), medical license, administrative action, defense attorney, impersonating a doctor, impersonating a physician
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