Woman Practiced Medicine Without a License, Detectives Allege

A Sarasota office manager is charged with practicing medicine without a license after authorities say she performed a painful procedure on a patient following her cosmetic surgery.

Christine Patterson, 44, is the sister of Dr. Alberico Sessa and works as the medical biller and an office manager at his Clark Road practice, Sarasota Surgical Arts, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

In April 2011, Patterson examined a patient on a follow-up visit the day after surgery, re-wrapping bandages and sending the woman home, an arrest affidavit states.

The next day, the patient returned to complain of "massive swelling," with two witnesses telling investigators the woman's face was "swollen like a pumpkin." Detectives say Patterson contacted Dr. Sessa, who was out of town, then decided to insert a drain to remove excess fluid, reportedly telling the patient she had seen the procedure done "plenty of times."

The woman told investigators she was under the impression Patterson was a nurse, and that the procedure the pain was "excruciating." No pain medicine was given, according to the affidavit.

Patterson was being held without bond Thursday and is prohibited from having contact with any patients of Dr. Sessa or Sarasota Surgical Arts.

Anyone with concerns about similar incidents is asked to contact the sheriff's Criminal Investigations unit at 941-861-4935.

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