DETROIT — A nurse with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek is accused of unlawfully accessing a patient’s health information, federal officials said.

Jessica Nicole Pitcher, 41, of Shelbyville, was charged by misdemeanor information with violating federal law through the alleged incident on or about Nov. 27, 2023, according to a press release Tuesday from the U.S Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten's office.

Pitcher did not have authorization to access the patient's information, according to the statement.

Other details on the alleged incident were not released. The court filings were not immediately accessible Wednesday.

"Patients have an absolute expectation of privacy concerning the communications and information shared with medical professionals and contained within their medical records," Totten said in a statement.

“Federal law has long protected such privacy to ensure that patients, without fear of any disclosure, can share with their medical providers all information critical to receiving proper medical care. My office will hold accountable those who access or disclose confidential patient health information without authorization and without justification under federal law.”

If convicted, Pitcher faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison, and a maximum fine of $100,000, authorities said.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General is investigating the case with the assistance of the Battle Creek VA Police.

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