UPDATE: A Baltimore County woman has been sentenced to 38 months in federal prison following her conviction for impersonating a nurse at over 40 health care facilities across Maryland. Thomasina Amponsah, 51, received this sentence on Tuesday from U.S. Senior District Judge Richard D. Bennett, marking a significant development in a case that raises serious concerns about patient safety.
Amponsah pleaded guilty in August 2023 to charges of federal identity theft, using stolen credentials to secure employment in various health care roles. Between 2019 and 2023, she worked directly with patients in nursing homes, as well as in Medicaid and Medicare programs. During this time, authorities report that she even operated as a “licensed nurse” despite having been fired from two positions by October 2022.
Prosecutors revealed alarming details about Amponsah’s actions, stating that at one facility, she neglected to administer prescribed medications to multiple patients and falsified medical records, which poses grave risks to those under her care. This troubling behavior continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she utilized two stolen identities to maintain her illicit health care roles.
In addition to her prison sentence, Amponsah has been ordered to pay over $145,000 in restitution and will undergo three years of supervised release, the maximum allowed under her plea agreement. This case has sparked outrage within the community, highlighting the potential dangers posed by individuals misrepresenting their qualifications in the health care sector.
As this story develops, it raises critical questions about the vetting processes for health care workers and the implications for patient safety in Maryland and beyond. Authorities emphasize the need for stringent background checks to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For those following this shocking case, stay tuned for updates as further details emerge regarding Amponsah’s actions and their impact on the health care system.
If you have any additional information or tips regarding this case, please reach out to Luke Parker at [email protected] or call 410-725-6214. Follow him on X as @lparkernews or on Signal as @parkerluke34.
