The Sept. 9 regional hiring event will connect nurses, imaging and laboratory professionals, respiratory therapists and other clinical workers with hiring managers at eight AdventHealth locations.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth will hold a regional hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 9, at eight locations across Central Florida as the health system looks to expand its clinical workforce to meet growing demand for patient care.

The hiring events will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and give nurses, technologists and other clinical professionals an opportunity to meet directly with hiring managers and clinical leaders, participate in on-site interviews and potentially receive same-day job offers for select positions, according to AdventHealth.

The recruitment effort comes as Central Florida’s population growth continues to increase demand for health care services across hospitals, emergency departments and other care sites.

High-Demand Clinical Positions

AdventHealth said career opportunities are available across several high-need clinical areas, including:

• Nursing
• Imaging
• Laboratory
• Respiratory care
• Surgical services
• Other clinical specialties

The regional format allows applicants to explore opportunities at multiple AdventHealth facilities while connecting directly with the people responsible for hiring and clinical operations.

Eight Central Florida Hiring Locations

Hiring events will be held simultaneously at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9:

AdventHealth Altamonte Springs
601 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs
Chatlos Classrooms

AdventHealth Apopka
2100 Ocoee Apopka Road, Apopka
Vyas Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Celebration
400 Celebration Place, Celebration
Mangrove Conference Rooms

AdventHealth East Orlando
7727 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando
Precedo Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Kissimmee
2450 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee
Woodlands Conference Rooms

AdventHealth Orlando, AdventHealth for Women & Children
601 E. Rollins St., Orlando
Alden Conference Room

AdventHealth Winter Park
200 N. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park
First Floor Conference Center

AdventHealth Winter Garden
2000 Fowler Grove Blvd., Winter Garden
First Floor Conference Rooms

Central Florida Growth Driving Recruitment

AdventHealth said the regional recruitment initiative is designed to strengthen clinical teams as the health system expands access to care throughout Central Florida.

Hiring across multiple hospitals and specialties also reflects the range of health care workers needed to support growing communities — from bedside nurses and respiratory professionals to diagnostic imaging, laboratory and surgical-services teams.

For qualified candidates, the possibility of interviewing directly with hiring managers and receiving a same-day offer for select positions could also shorten the traditional hiring process.

How to Register

Health care professionals interested in attending can register through the official AdventHealth Central Florida Hiring Event page.

Event: AdventHealth Central Florida Regional Hiring Event
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Locations: Eight AdventHealth facilities across Central Florida

FNN Community & Business

The regional hiring initiative represents a significant employment opportunity for Central Florida’s health care workforce while highlighting the continued demand for clinical professionals as the region’s population and health care needs expand.

Federal prosecutors allege Erekle Gugava helped move proceeds from a transnational fraud operation that used stolen identities and submitted at least $1.3 billion in fraudulent medical-equipment claims to Medicare and private insurers.

BOSTON (FNN) — A federal grand jury in Massachusetts has indicted a 33-year-old Georgian national on a money laundering conspiracy charge stemming from an alleged $1.3 billion health care fraud operation, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors allege Erekle Gugava served as a money launderer for a transnational criminal organization accused of orchestrating a multibillion-dollar scheme targeting Medicare and other health insurers.

The Justice Department announced the indictment Friday, Sept. 4.

According to DOJ, the organization, which prosecutors said was based in Russia and elsewhere, was previously identified through Operation Gold Rush, part of what the department has described as the largest health care fraud case it has prosecuted.

DOJ: $1.3 Billion in Allegedly Fraudulent Claims

According to charging documents cited by DOJ, Gugava purportedly owned ND Medical Solutions LLC, a Pennsylvania durable medical equipment company, from February through July 2025.

During that five-month period, prosecutors allege ND Medical submitted at least $1.3 billion in fraudulent durable medical equipment claims to Medicare, private insurers providing Medicare supplemental coverage, employer-sponsored health plans and other insurers.

Those insurers paid ND Medical approximately $6.5 million, according to the Justice Department.

The distinction between the $1.3 billion and $6.5 million figures is significant: DOJ alleges $1.3 billion was billed, while approximately $6.5 million was actually paid to the company.

Prosecutors Allege Money Was Transferred Overseas

Federal prosecutors allege Gugava facilitated the deposit and transfer of proceeds generated by the scheme.

According to DOJ, Gugava opened several bank accounts in ND Medical’s name and was the sole signatory. Checks from Medicare supplemental insurers and other health insurers were allegedly deposited into those accounts.

Prosecutors allege the money was ultimately transferred to overseas bank accounts for the benefit of the transnational organization.

“Fraud networks cannot function without people willing to launder and transmit their proceeds,” Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division said in the department’s announcement.

McDonald said prosecutors allege Gugava helped move fraud proceeds through domestic and international financial channels.

DOJ: Stolen Identities Used to Support Claims

The alleged scheme also involved stolen identities, according to federal prosecutors.

DOJ said the fraudulent claims relied in part on identities belonging to people in Massachusetts, elsewhere in New England and across the United States.

Some were elderly or disabled Americans who reported receiving insurance explanation-of-benefits forms showing medical equipment they said they never received, according to the Justice Department.

Prosecutors said some records also identified doctors the beneficiaries said they had never visited and listed equipment as coming from ND Medical, a company with which they said they were unfamiliar.

Operation Gold Rush

DOJ said Gugava’s case is connected to Operation Gold Rush, an investigation targeting a transnational organization accused of exploiting Medicare and other insurers.

According to the Justice Department, the organization allegedly used payments originating from legitimate government programs and established insurance companies to facilitate money laundering. Because the payments came from legitimate insurers, prosecutors contend the proceeds initially appeared legitimate.

The department previously identified Operation Gold Rush as part of its broader national effort targeting health care fraud.

Six Federal Agencies Investigating

The investigation involves multiple federal law enforcement and oversight agencies, including:

• Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
• FBI
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• IRS Criminal Investigation
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration

Prosecutors from DOJ’s National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Health Care Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts are handling the case.

Defendant Faces Up to 20 Years if Convicted

Gugava is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, according to DOJ. A maximum statutory penalty does not indicate what sentence would ultimately be imposed if a defendant is convicted.

The Justice Department also described Gugava in its announcement as an “illegal alien from Georgia.” That description reflects DOJ’s characterization of his immigration status in its Sept. 4 press release.

DOJ Expands Federal Fraud Enforcement

The Justice Department said the prosecution is part of its broader federal campaign against fraud involving government benefit programs.

According to DOJ, its Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program has charged more than 6,200 defendants since 2007 in cases involving more than $45 billion in alleged billings to federal health care programs and private insurers.

The department also announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division earlier this year to coordinate investigations and prosecutions involving fraud against federal programs and the public.

Indictment Contains Allegations

An indictment is a formal accusation and does not establish guilt.

Gugava is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute (FEMI) and Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center (MRSE) have announced the addition of optometrist Dr. Anna Walker to their medical teams, expanding comprehensive eye care services for patients across Palm Beach County.

Walker provides comprehensive eye care for patients of all ages, specializing in primary eye care, ocular disease management, specialty contact lenses and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. Her practice focuses on preventive eye health through comprehensive examinations, advanced diagnostic technology and individualized treatment plans.

“Dr. Walker brings excellent clinical training and a compassionate approach to patient care,” said Omayra Alvarado, practice administrator for FEMI. “We are confident she will help further our mission of delivering exceptional eye care across South Florida.”

Walker earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Stonehill College. She completed her residency at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center, where she specialized in comprehensive optometric care with an emphasis on ocular disease management and specialty contact lenses.

Her clinical training also includes refractive surgery co-management, IPL therapy and advanced diagnostic techniques. Walker is certified in laser procedures and injections through the New England College of Optometry.

According to the practices, Walker combines advanced clinical expertise with a personalized approach to patient care, focusing on preserving long-term eye health and improving patients’ quality of life.

Walker will see patients at Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute’s East Boynton Beach office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center in Boca Raton on Mondays and Fridays.

Patients interested in scheduling routine eye examinations or establishing ongoing eye care with Dr. Walker can learn more by visiting Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute or Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center.