June 2015 Florida Board of Medicine Newsletter

Introduction

The Board of Medicine meets six times each year to conduct disciplinary hearings, licensure hearings and to handle board business including creating and amending rules of the Board.  Another role of the Board is to recognize outstanding Florida medical students, residents, physicians, members and staff.

Board Recognizes Residents, Members and Staff

At this meeting, the Board recognized two residents as part of the Resident Recognition Program: Amy Lynn Hammers, M.D. and Robert Yates Knowlton, Jr., M.D. from the University of Florida – Jacksonville, OB/GYN Resident Program.  The Board recognized these two residents because, among other things, they demonstrate extraordinary medical and social competence and skill expected of young medical professionals.

Also recognized by the Board was Chandra Prine, Program Operations Administrator over the Board of Medicine Licensure Unit.  Ms. Prine has served over 34 years with the Board of Medicine.  She will be greatly missed.

Bernardo Fernandez, M.D., incoming Chairman for August 1 – January 31, 2016, and the rest of the Board members recognized Dr. Orr for his energy, dedication, leadership and service as Chairman January 1 – June 30, 2015.

Former Board Member, Onelia Lage, M.D. was also recognized at this meeting for her dedication to the Board February 17, 2012 – March 11, 2015.  During her time on the Board she served as Chair of the Board as well as participated on multiple committees of the Board.

Congratulations to all of the Board’s award recipients!

Boards Says Goodbye to Consumer Member

Nina DiPietro, Esquire, a Consumer Member on the Board was recently appointed by the Governor to serve as a Broward County Judge.  As a result, she resigned her position on the Board, effective April 30, 2015.  Among other things, she served as Chair of the Board’s Finance and Process Accountability Committee and served on many probable cause panel meetings.  Good luck to Judge DiPietro.

Calling All Consumer Members

All members of the Board of Medicine are appointed by the Governor to serve four year terms.  If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in serving as a consumer member on the Board, go to http://www.flgov.com/appointments/, complete and submit the Gubernatorial Appointments Questionnaire.  Consumer members must be residents of the State of Florida who are not, and never have been, licensed health care practitioners.

Alert: Pedigree documentation and labeling of drugs and cosmetics

The Florida Board of Medicine would like licensees to be aware about purchasing, possessing, or administering drugs and cosmetics without pedigree documentation or that are misbranded.  When purchasing drugs or cosmetics from a wholesaler or distributor always make sure the product has an accompanying pedigree and is labeled appropriately. A drug pedigree is a statement of origin that identifies each prior sale, purchase, or trade of a drug, including the date of those transactions and the names and addresses of all parties to them. The Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act provides that each person who is engaged in the wholesale distribution of a prescription drug must, prior to or simultaneous with each wholesale distribution, provide a pedigree paper to the person who receives the drug (section 499.01212, Florida Statutes).  The Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act also provides that a drug or cosmetic is misbranded if in package form, it does not bear a label containing the name and place of business of the manufacturer, repackager, or distributor of the finished dosage form of the drug (see also sections 499.007 and 499.009, Florida Statutes, for the definitions of misbranded drugs and cosmetics).  Licensees possessing, distributing, or administering misbranded drugs or cosmetics or those without pedigrees may be in violation of state or federal law.  Violations may lead to disciplinary action against a physician or physician assistant’s license.  Most importantly administering or dispensing misbranded drugs or cosmetics or those without pedigrees may endanger the safety of your patients.  For more information on misbranding or pedigrees please visit the following sites:  http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/Overview/DeviceLabeling/GeneralDeviceLabelingRequirements/ucm052190.htm

To file a complaint against a health care provider please visit: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/complaintlist.asp?SID=

To file a complaint regarding the sale or distribution of misbranded or adulterated drugs:   http://bpr.state.fl.us/apps/complaint_forms/ddc_form.asp

Licensure Statistics from the June 4-5, 2015 Board Meeting

The Board of Medicine is tasked with ensuring applicants meet the current requirements for licensure.  If issues are identified in the application, the applicant may be asked to appear before the Credentials Committee and answer questions from the members.

Discipline Statistics from the June 4-5, 2015 Board Meeting

In addition to licensing qualified practitioners, the Board conducts disciplinary hearings at the Board Meetings.  You may read the agenda and the agenda materials, listen to the audio and see the outcome of these meetings at  www.FLBoardofMedicine.gov under the “Meetings” tab.

Upcoming Events:

Board Chair Presents at FMA’s Annual Meeting

Dr. James Orr, Chair of the Florida Board of Medicine, will give a presentation on the Board’s regulatory and disciplinary process Friday afternoon July 31, 2015, during the Laws and Rules session at the Florida Medical Association’s annual meeting at Walt Disney World’s Yacht & Beach Club.   For additional information on the FMA’s annual meeting please visit:  http://www.celebratemedicine.com

Board Meeting Attendance for CME Credit

Florida Administrative Code Rule 64B8-13.005 allows physicians to attend a full day of disciplinary hearings to earn five (5) hours CME credit in risk management or ethics.  The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2015 at the Tampa Airport Marriott, 4200 George Bean Parkway, Tampa, Florida.  The meeting begins at 8:00 am.  Be sure to sign in with staff upon arrival to ensure proper credit.

Did you know . . . . The required Prevention of Medical Errors CME course must contain the 5 most mis-diagnosed medical conditions as determined by the Board.  The list of conditions can be found in Florida Administrative Code Rule 64B8-13.005 and changes every two years.  The next change is scheduled for late 2015.  Stay tuned to the Board’s website for more information.

Contact Information: 

Florida Board of Medicine
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C03
Tallahassee, FL  32399
850-245-4131 Telephone
850-488-0596 Facsimile
info@flboardofmedicine.gov
www.FLBoardofMedicine.gov

Board of Medicine Members

June 2015 Florida Board of Medicine Newsletter [pdf]