Former UPMC employee pleads guilty to criminal HIPAA violation

Ayla Ellison -

A former patient information coordinator at Pittsburgh-based UPMC has pleaded guilty to wrongfully disclosing a person's protected health information, according to the Department of Justice.

Linda Sue Kalina worked at UPMC and its affiliate, Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers in Mars, Pa., from March 7, 2016, through June 23, 2017. During that time, she violated HIPAA by improperly accessing the health information of 111 UPMC patients, according to federal prosecutors.

In August 2017, Ms. Kalina disclosed two patients' gynecological health information. By disclosing the information, she intended to embarrass those patients and cause them mental distress, according to the Justice Department.

Ms. Kalina is scheduled to be sentenced June 25. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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