Joint Investigation Leads to Arrest of an Unlicensed Medical Doctor

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
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Tallahassee, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit’s joint investigation with Doral Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department Medical Crimes Unit, Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office, and City of Doral Code Enforcement has led to the arrest of Jose A. Ramirez (AKA Jose A. Ramirez Perez) for alleged unlicensed practice of medicine. Unlicensed practice of medicine is a third degree felony and punishable by up to one year in jail. 

The joint operation was conducted today at Ramirez’s home and at his business, Med-Clinic Healthcare (located at 10800 NW 58^th Street, Doral), where undercover police officers from the Doral Police Department and the Miami Dade Police Department Medical Crimes Unit followed and eventually conducted an investigative stop at NW 87^th Avenue and NW 25^th Street. Ramirez was arrested for practicing medicine without a license.  

The Department of Health issued a Notice to Cease and Desist for practicing medicine without a license and a citation in the amount of $1,000.00.  An ex-employee at the Med-Clinic Healthcare witnessed Jose A. Ramirez perform medical procedures on patients and also diagnosed and treated medical conditions on patients from May 2017 through August 2017. The ex-employee also witnessed Ramirez write prescriptions for patients using Dr. Manuel Lopez Diaz’s name and State-issued medical license. The City of Doral Code Enforcement shut down the business pending a hearing. 

The department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use the department’s website www.flhealthsource.gov/ula 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: https://flhealthsource.gov for additional information about MQA.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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