News Release: Florida Department Of Health Investigation Leads To Issuance Of Cease & Desist Orders In Tampa
May 24, 2010
The Florida Department of Health issued the following news release on May 24, 2010:
TALLAHASSEE— The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Tampa office of the Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit today announced that formal Cease and Desist orders were issued on May 20, 2010 to: Frank Lopez, Jr., Marco Beltran aka “Marcos” Beltran, and Tampa Bay Wellness Centre. The State Surgeon General issued these orders in response to the alleged illegal and unlicensed activity pertaining to registered pain management clinics and the practice of medicine, Chapter 458 and/or the practice of osteopathic medicine, Chapter 459, Florida Statutes; a third degree felony and punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5000.
DOH was alerted to possible unlicensed practice at the Tampa Bay Wellness Centre when it received information from the Williamsburg Kentucky Police Department.
The Department immediately began its investigation on the facility and personnel working at the pain management clinic. Tampa Bay Wellness Centre, located at 2137 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607 failed to register the facility with DOH as a pain management clinic as required under Sections 458.309(4) and 459.005(3) Florida Statutes. This failure constitutes a violation for unlicensed activity under Section 456.065 Florida Statutes.
Frank Lopez, Jr., registered agent and president of the clinic and Marco (aka “Marcos”) Beltran, vice president, are involved individually, due to their affiliation with Tampa Health Care Center, Inc., which is allegedly the parent company of Tampa Bay Wellness Centre.
Consumers are encouraged to contact DOH with any questions about the license status of Tampa Bay Wellness Centre, if the clinic reopens for business. Any further operation or advertisement by the facility as a pain management clinic are health care crimes and are referred to local law enforcement for prompt prosecution by the State Attorney’s Office. (F.S. 456.066) Additionally, consumers can visit DOH’s Web site www.flhealthsource.com where they can conveniently view the license information on any health care practitioner or facility that is regulated by DOH. Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the DOH Web site or calling 1-877-HALT-ULA to have a form mailed to you.
The mission of DOH and MQA is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida. Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates eight types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 healthcare professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public.
Visit http://www.flhealthsource.com for additional information about MQA. For up-to-date information about H1N1 Swine Flu visit http://www.myflusafety.com call 877 352 3581 or