Zaid Bassam Jeorge, 27, who claimed he was a Harvard Medical School-educated anesthesiologist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, Calif., was arrested after visiting the hospital physicians’ lounge, according to the report, which cites hospital and police officials.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reports a hospital security alert indicates Mr. Jeorge was wearing scrubs and a physician’s coat with the name “Zaid Jorge, MD Anesthesiologist” in the lounge. The Sharp logo was also on the coat.
According to the report, among his other possessions were a stethoscope, a cellphone with Arabic messages displayed and rental vehicle keys.
The memo says Mr. Jeorge, who had no credentials with him, told security he was doing an apprenticeship, according to the report. The physician Mr. Jeorge claimed was his sponsor denied the assertion he was the 27-year-old’s sponsor. That physician had previously accepted a LinkedIn connection request from Mr. Jeorge. Mr. Jeorge’s LinkedIn page was unavailable Tuesday, but it stated he had a medical degree.
According to the report, La Mesa police found two passports and a San Diego County address inside Mr. Jeorge’s rental car parked near the hospital. Mr. Jeorge was charged with suspicion of false impersonation and attempting to practice without a license, according to the report, which cites jail records.
An investigation is ongoing.
Read the full report here.
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