FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Palm Beach Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announced that a joint investigation with the Palm Beach Multi-Agency Diversion Task Force has led to the arrest of Jhanna Novikov for the alleged unlicensed practice of medicine, a 3rd degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

A victim stated Novikov injected her in November and December 2013 with unknown filler. The victim had to seek additional medical attention due to the adverse effects from the injections. On May 8, 2014, a female undercover officer met with Novikov to have filler injected into her face. Novikov was subsequently arrested for practicing medicine without a license. This occurred at a beauty salon in West Palm Beach, FL. The Florida Department of Health issued a Cease and Desist Order and a Citation for $6,394.04.

The Department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to visit the Department’s website www.FlHealthSource.gov where they can conveniently view the license information of any health care practitioner.
• Complaints may be filed anonymously by completing and mailing the complaint form found on the DOH website, or by calling 1-877-HALT-ULA or 1-888-419-3456.

The Florida Department of Health’s unlicensed activity program protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious and dangerous consequences of receiving medical and health care services from an unlicensed person. The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) investigates and refers for prosecution all unlicensed health care activity complaints and allegations. The unlicensed activity 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 healthcare 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.

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

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.