FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s Palm Beach Unlicensed Activity (ULA) Unit announced today that a joint investigation with the Martin County Sherriff’s Office has led to the arrest of Sean Shantung for multiple accounts of alleged unlicensed practice of a health care profession, which is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Shantung was also arrested for Unlicensed Practice of an Acupuncturist, which is a second degree misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

The joint operation was conducted over a series of days: August 8, August 20, and September 19, 2014. Shantung practiced unlicensed acupuncture on an undercover investigator at the Temple of Tal Holistic Healing in Jensen Beach, FL. The Department has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use the Department’s website www.flhealthsource.com, 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 website, or by calling 1-877-425-8852 (877-HALT-ULA).

The Department’s ULA program protects Florida residents and visitors from the potentially serious results of receiving 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 closely 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. Please visit www.flhealthsource.com for additional information about MQA.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

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