Breast grabbing led to a Fort Lauderdale nurse’s license suspension, state says
Accusations of repeated breast grabbing led to the suspension of a Fort Lauderdale registered nurse’s license.
John Pica “used the practice of nursing as cover to commit sexual misconduct on a patient,” the emergency suspension order reads. “Mr. Pica’s conduct was predatory in nature and demonstrates his blatant disregard for his patients’ well-being.”
Miami Herald attempts to reach Pica by phone and email have failed.
No criminal charges have been filed, according to the Broward County online court dockets. On the professional discipline side, a Florida Department of Health administrative complaint will start that process, which likely will end with a state Board of Nursing decision on punishment.
The department’s website says Pica, 63, has been licensed in Florida since Aug. 9, 1996, and has no previous disciplinary actions.
The suspension order describes the events on Oct. 17 at Tamarac’s HCA Woodmont Hospital, 7201 N. University Dr, between Pica and a 56-year-old surgery patient.
Pica was supposed to do an EKG on the woman, which meant she had to “completely undress and change into a hospital gown,” the order said.
After he put the appropriate electrodes on the woman’s chest, the order said, “Mr. Pica lifted [the woman’s] hospital down at least two times for no apparent medical reason, exposing [her] breasts to himself.”
An anesthesiologist entered the room to prep the woman for surgery, then left.
“After the anesthesiologist left, Mr. Pica squeezed the top of [the woman’s] right breast,” the suspension order said. “Following her surgery, Mr. Pica assisted her in getting dressed. After Mr. Pica assisted her in getting her shirt on, he cupped and/or squeezed [her] breasts.”
This story was originally published April 19, 2025 at 6:40 PM.
