Medical student convicted for holding himself out as a surgeon

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) has prosecuted Quentin Geczy for holding himself out as a registered medical practitioner in contravention of section 116 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law 2010 (National Law).

Mr Geczy was a medical student at the University of Sydney. He has never held registration as a medical practitioner under the National Law.

In April 2023, he met a woman through an online dating platform. Throughout their brief relationship, Mr Geczy sent the woman text messages in which he held himself out as a surgeon. In May 2023 he sent the woman a photo of a Yale University Arts degree that had been altered to look like a Doctorate in Medicine.

After that relationship ended Mr Geczy met another woman through a different online dating platform in May 2023.

During this second relationship he continued to hold himself out as a surgeon. He sent the woman photos that implied he was working as a medical practitioner and offered to write her a prescription for opioid medication on multiple occasions. He also provided medical advice to the woman’s flatmate.

In June 2023, Mr Geczy sent the woman a photograph of his student ID card, which had been altered to include the words ‘Doctor/Ortho. RMO’ instead of ‘Student’.

On 5 February 2025, Mr Geczy pleaded guilty to three counts of holding himself out as a registered medical practitioner and was sentenced in the Downing Centre Local Court of New South Wales.
Magistrate Covington convicted Mr Geczy of all counts. His Honour imposed community corrections orders for each charge (of 12 months, 18 months and 18 months respectively), and fines totalling $5,000. Mr Geczy was also ordered to pay Ahpra’s legal costs of $7,500.

In sentencing, his Honour commented that ‘deterrence is always a significant factor in relation to any prosecution of this nature…. in order to protect health and safety and protect the integrity of the [health] system’ and noted that as someone studying to become a medical practitioner Mr Geczy was ‘held to a higher standard’.

Acting Ahpra CEO, Kym Ayscough, noted that the outcome highlights the severity of falsely claiming to be a registered health practitioner.

‘Whether in a clinical context or a social situation, claiming to be a registered practitioner when you are not poses a serious risk to public safety,’ she said.

‘Registration allows the public to check and be assured of the qualifications and background of those providing health services, and is crucial to upholding trust which is why we take complaints about holding out seriously.’

Anyone with concerns about whether an individual is registered can check the online Register of practitioners maintained by Ahpra or call 1300 419 495.

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