March 7, 2016

JOINT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST IN HAINES CITY

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health’s Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Tampa office announced that their joint investigation with the Haines City Police Department has led to the arrest of Manuel Cordova for the alleged unlicensed practice of Medicine, which is a third degree felony and punishable by up to one year in jail. 

On two separate occasions Manuel Cordova attempted to diagnose and treat an undercover agent at his office located at 56 North 5th Street, Haines City.  On Jan. 8, 2016, Cordova diagnosed a Florida Department of Health ULA investigator with a number of serious and non-existent illnesses and proposed a treatment plan. On Feb. 26, 2016 a joint operation was conducted with the Haines City Police Department where Cordova diagnosed an undercover Haines City police officer with similar conditions and proceeded to provide a treatment plan for those conditions.

According to Department of Health records, Manuel Cordova is not a licensed medical doctor in the state of Florida nor does he hold any other type of health care licenses.

The Haines City Police Department arrested Manuel Cordova for practicing medicine without a license. The Florida Department of Health issued Manuel Cordova a notice to cease and desist for practicing medicine without being duly licensed. 

Consumers are encouraged to use the department’s website www.flhealthsource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of their health care practitioner. Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form on the Florida Department of Health’s Web site, calling 1-877-HALT-ULA, or emailing HALTULA@flhealth.gov.

The department’s Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The ULA Unit works in conjunction with law enforcement and the state attorney’s offices to prosecute individuals practicing without a license. In many instances, unlicensed activity is a felony level criminal offense. More importantly, receiving health care from unlicensed people is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death.      

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, MQA regulates seven types of facilities and 200-plus license types in more than 40 health care 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: www.flhealthsource.gov for additional information about MQA.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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