Male Nurse at Tamarac Hospital Grabbed Patient’s Breasts, State Says

by Kevin Deutsch April 20, 2025

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HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital in Tamarac.

A registered nurse at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital in Tamarac allegedly grabbed a patient’s breasts twice in October, leading the state to suspend his nursing license Tuesday, records show.

According to an emergency suspension order from Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, nurse John Vincent Pica, 63, “used the practice of nursing as cover to commit sexual misconduct on a patient” and conducted himself in way that was “predatory in nature and demonstrates his blatant disregard for his patients’ well-being.”

In October, Pica was tasked with performing an EKG on a 56-year-old female patient in Woodmont’s outpatient surgical unit at 7201 N. University Dr. – a test that required the woman to completely undress and change into a hospital gown, the order states.

Pica placed EKG electrodes on the patient’s chest, then allegedly lifted her hospital gown at least two times for no apparent medical reason and exposed her breasts, according to the document.

An anesthesiologist then came into the room to prepare the woman for surgery.

After the anesthesiologist left, Pica allegedly squeezed the top of the patient’s right breast, the record states. Following the woman’s surgery, Pica helped her get dressed. After helping her get her shirt on, he allegedly cupped or squeezed her breasts, the order states.

“Mr. Pica’s actions indicate that he lacks the good judgment and moral character necessary to be a registered nurse,” the document states.

Pica, a registered nurse in Florida since 1996, could not immediately be reached for comment. State records show that no prior disciplinary actions had been filed against him.

Pica will have a formal disciplinary proceeding, and can file a petition challenging the state’s emergency order.

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Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.