Bobbie Gail Blair of Shelbyville, Tennessee (TN), has been arrested and charged with 2 counts of identity theft and 10 counts of impersonating a medical professional. She has been released on a $10,000 bond. 

The Investigation

Blair graduated in 2007 from the Practical Nursing Program (LPN) at Tennessee College of Applied Technology in McMinnville, TN. She began working at Tyson Foods in the medical clinic after graduation while preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Records indicate after hiring with Tyson Foods, Blair attempted to pass the NCLEX twice in 2007 but was unsuccessful both times. No record of a third attempt has been found.

It is reported Blair provided a fake nursing license with her name on it to Tyson Foods after failing to obtain a legitimate practical nursing license. An anonymous tip led to the investigation. Detective Nathanial Everhart who is investigating the case said, “She forged it – we couldn’t prove who actually forged it, her or someone on her behalf, but she was behind it.” 

The fake documents Blair provided to Tyson Foods contained the real license numbers of two licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Tennessee. Detective Everhart has made contact with one of those LPNs, but she does not know Blair at all.

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Records show Blair has been working as an LPN at Tyson Foods in the medical clinic for the past 15 years. During her time at the clinic, it is estimated Blair has treated over 15,000 patients.

It is also reported that Blair is married to the plant manager at Tyson Foods, Andrew Blair. However, they were not married at the time Blair was hired in 2007, and authorities do not believe Mr. Blair was aware his wife was practicing under a fake nursing license.

Statements

Tyson Foods released a statement regarding the arrest of Blair saying, “We take this issue very seriously. While we don’t comment on active criminal matters, as soon as law enforcement reached out, we fully cooperated.”

A team member at Tyson Foods said anonymously, “It infuriates and sickens me that someone would impersonate a nurse or any other medical professional. She undermined and downplayed our licensed professional medical judgment and actions to give the utmost care to our team members and patients. Not only has she done this to us, but the Tyson corporation as well.”

Social Media

With the recent announcement of the fake nursing diploma scheme in Florida where over 7600 fraudulent nursing degrees were bought and an estimated 2800 nurses were practicing without proper training, people are taking to social media to expose the imposters.

One Facebook user, Eunice Mathis, shared a Facebook reel with Blair’s picture and the song “Another One Bites The Dust” playing in the background.

With nursing being named the Most Trusted Profession for 21 years in a row, healthcare professionals are working overtime to expose the imposters and protect the reputation of nursing via social media.

 This is an ongoing investigation. Nurse.org will update as more information is available.