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

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health’s Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit West Palm Beach office announced that their joint investigation with the Pembroke Pines Police Department has led to the arrest of Yolani Moratz on December 06, 2018, for the alleged unlicensed practice of massage therapy, which is a felony in the third degree and punishable by up to one year incarceration. 

The joint operation was conducted at Yolani Moratz’s residence, located at 9100 Taft Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024, where an undercover Pembroke Pines Police Department detective was offered massage services by Yolani Moratz. The department issued Yolani Moratz a notice to cease and desist for practicing massage therapy and operating a massage establishment at her residence without a license. The Pembroke Pines Police Department arrested Yolani Moratz for practicing massage therapy without a license.

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 people is dangerous and could result in further injury, disease or even death.    

Working in conjunction with 22 boards and four 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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