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

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health’s Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit continues to protect the people of Florida from those working without a valid medical license. Recently, two investigations led to Cease and Desists Orders and an arrest.

The ULA Miami office announced that a joint investigation with the Miami-Dade Police Department Economic Crimes Bureau - Medical Crimes Unit (MDPD) and Homeland Security Investigations led to the arrest of Jimmer Andres Hernandez Amador for the alleged unlicensed practice of dentistry, which is a third-degree felony and punishable by up to one year in jail. 

The joint operation was conducted at Hernandez Amador’s place of business, Jimmer Hernandez Aesthetic Dental located at 3363 NE 163^rd Street Suite 807, North Miami Beach, FL  33160, where an undercover detective with MDPD and an undercover DOH investigator were offered dental treatment and diagnosis. The MDPD arrested Hernandez Amador for practicing dentistry without a license and for possession of a prescription drug with the intent to sell/deliver.

The ULA Orlando office also announced that a recent investigation led to the issuance of a cease and desist to James Edward Cohen, owner of Funky Eyes, for the alleged unlicensed operating of an optical establishment.

The department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use the department’s website 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 individuals 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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