medical license | The Health Law Firm Blog

Human Body Parts Discovered in Self-Storage Facility that Belonged to a Former Medical Examiner

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A former medical examiner, who is accused of keeping the body parts of more than 100 people in his Pensacola storage facility, was arrested September 7, 2012. He now faces a felony charge of improper storage of hazardous waste, a misdemeanor charge of “nuisance injurious to public health” and driving with a suspended license, according to a number of sources.

To see the case against the former medical examiner, click here.

It is reported that he had previously been fired as a medical examiner in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:36-04:00June 1, 2018|In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Phony Plastic Surgeon Pleaded Guilty to Performing Surgeries on Patients Without a Medical License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A fake New York plastic surgeon was convicted on September 7, 2012, for performing cosmetic surgeries between April 2011 and December 2011, without a medical license. He’s also accused of completing the surgeries without general anesthesia and permanently disfiguring his patients. This is all according to the New York Attorney General’s (AG) Office.

To see the entire press release on this arrest, click here.

Phony Plastic Surgeon Will Spend Time in Prison.

According to New York AG, Eric Schneiderman, the fake plastic surgeon allegedly admitted to soliciting patients from […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:36-04:00June 1, 2018|In the Know, In the News, Licensing issues, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Beware of These Illegal Business Arrangements in Healthcare

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Florida does not have a corporate practice of medicine prohibition like many other states do. In other words, a physician is allowed to work as an employee or independent contractor of a corporation or other business entity owned by nonphysicians However, there are a number of exceptions to this rule.

For dentists, optometrists and chiropractors there are specific statutory prohibitions on any member of that profession practicing his or her specialty while working for a group, practice or organization that is owned or controlled by one who is not a […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:38-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Medical License, Medicare, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Occupational Therapist Accused of Working in a Number of Local Hospitals

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Kissimmee, Florida, man is accused of posing as an occupational therapist (OT) and working at various health care facilities in Central Florida, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). On October 16, 2012, the DOJ announced that the phony OT was charged with three counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Click here to see the press release from the DOJ.

Phony OT Worked in Hospitals Around Central Florida.

The fake OT allegedly took the license numbers of two legitimate OTs and stole the social security number […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, Health Care Industry, In the Know, Licensing issues, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Posing as Physician Assistant Lands Kissimmee Teen Behind Bars for One Year

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Kissimmee, Florida, teen found guilty in August 2012 for impersonating a physician assistant (P.A.) faced up to 20 years in prison for two counts of impersonation and two counts of practicing without a license. On November 14, 2012, the teen was sentenced to one year in jail by an Osceola County judge.

The phony P.A. was given credit for his 264 days already served in jail, so he will only have to spend the remaining 101 days behind bars. The judge ordered the teen to receive mental health counseling, and he will also serve […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:39-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, In the Know, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Phony Florida Physician Uses Silicone and Krazy Glue – Arrested Twice for Practicing Medicine Without a License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A South Florida man was arrested on February 6, 2013, for allegedly injecting people with silicone in a West Palm Beach motel room. He has been charged with practicing medicine without a license. According to the Sun Sentinel, this was the man’s second arrest within two months for the same crime.

Click here to read the entire article from the Sun Sentinel.

This “Krazy” Tale.

Police say this fake physician injected his customers with buttocks-enhancing silicone injections. He would then allegedly seal up the skin wounds with Krazy Glue. Victims said he would not wear gloves […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:45-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Fake Health Care Professionals, Licensing issues, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Doctor in Texas Accused of Injecting Patients with Silicone Instead of Botox

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A South Texas woman was charged on October 31, 2013, for allegedly injecting people with silicone, that she claimed was Botox. The phony health professional, described in some media reports as an “unlicensed plastic surgeon,” has been charged with practicing medicine without a license. According to Reuters, the unlicensed health professional could also be facing charges of manslaughter if investigators confirm that a woman’s death was related to treatments received from the imposter.

Click here to read the entire article from Reuters.

If convicted, the fake health care professional could spend up to […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:53-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

Fake Surgeon in Florida Accused of Performing Liposuction Without a License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Kissimmee, Florida, man was arrested on December 18, 2013, on charges that he has been allegedly performing liposuction without a medical license in a Central Florida clinic. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) began investigating the phony surgeon about a year ago, after Florida Department of Health (DOH) received a complaint about the clinic in which the phony doctor worked. The clinic was called “Sculptural Orlando.”

Click here to read the article from the Orlando Sentinel.

Investigators Looking for More Victims.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, it is […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:53-04:00June 1, 2018|Fake Health Care Professionals, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|

The Collateral Effects of a Criminal Case on a Health Care Licensee

Criminal charges against a health care professional can have serious consequences. Learn more about the impact of a criminal charge on Florida licensed health professionals. For further information, visit our website.

What is the Effect of a Plea of Nolo Contendere for a Florida Licensed Health Professional?

Pursuant to the general chapter of Florida Statutes applicable to all licensed health professionals (Chapter 456), a plea of nolo contendere is treated the same as a plea of guilty for all purposes. Additionally the chapter of Florida Statutes that governs each type of health professional usually contains similar provisions; sometimes this will be in the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) Rules that have been adopted by the separate professional licensing board for that profession.

What Is the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:25-04:00June 1, 2018|Health Care Industry, The Health Law Firm Blog|

At Last, a Ray of Hope for Florida Health Professionals Who Have Paid Their Debt to Society After Criminal Conviction

The Florida Legislature unanimously passed HB 653 which relaxes some of the draconian exclusions enacted under SB 1986, which went into effect on July 1, 2009. SB 1986, which added provisions to Chapter 456, Florida Statutes, among others, prevented numerous healthcare providers from obtaining or renewing licenses based on prior criminal convictions, which could have occurred decades earlier.

As of this writing (March 16, 2012), HB 653 has been passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature, but awaits the Governor’s signature.

Under HB 653, the professional boards within the Department of Health (such as the Board of Medicine, Board of Nursing, Board of Psychology, Board of Massage Therapy, etc.) now will, if signed by the Governor, only […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:00:28-04:00June 1, 2018|Department of Health, Health Care Industry, In the News, The Health Law Firm Blog|