Convict Fools Hospital Practices as Doctor

By Christopher Walker
Nov 27 2010

Hospital safety and security has become a major concern in the US but after this week’s arrest of a man pretending to be a doctor, one North Carolina hospital has been called into question.

Daniel Stewart was arrested by police for two misdemeanor counts of impersonating a doctor.

The prosecuting attorney has said that he may add other counts, including practicing medicine without a license as well as fraud to the indictment once the investigation has been completed.

Stewart hitched a ride to the hospital three weeks ago with his uncle, who he told he wanted to inquire about a job opening. About an hour after exiting the car Stewart returned, wearing hospital scrubs and told the uncle that he had gotten the job and that they wanted him to start that day.

During the three-week period Stewart shadowed doctors and nurses as they entered patient rooms.

 He was found to be giving advice and offering comfort to those that were in the ER looking for help. No one asked him about his credentials during the entire three-week period.

It was not until a nurse noticed that Stewart was not wearing an ID badge that anyone questioned the young man.

 The police were called and Stewart told the law enforcement officials that he held a medical degree from the University of Tennessee. The school was called and they have no record of him ever enrolling in their program.

It was later discovered that Stewart was on parole for impersonating a police officer and for forgery.