FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Investigative Services Unit—West Palm Beach announced that their joint investigation with the City of Boca Raton Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections has led to the arrest of Sheri Goldman for the unlicensed practice of a health care profession, which is a third degree felony and punishable by up to five years in jail. Goldman was also arrested for violation of probation based on a previous arrest for unlicensed activity in Palm Beach County.

The joint operation was conducted after the City of Boca Raton Police Department received an anonymous complaint that Sheri Goldman was offering Botox injections and claiming to be a nurse. Goldman is not licensed to perform any health care profession within the state of Florida. After a joint undercover operation with the listed agencies at Goldman’s place of business, Beauty & Balance, she claimed to be an “OR nurse.” In addition, a search of the website: www.groupon.com revealed she was posing as a “surgical nurse.”

DOH has several resources to combat unlicensed activity:

• Consumers are encouraged to use DOH’s Web site www.FlHealthSource.gov 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 DOH Web site or calling 1-877-HALT-ULA or 1-888-419-3456.

The Department’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 when substantiated, 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. Unlicensed activity is a felony level criminal offense. Receiving health care from unlicensed people can be dangerous and could result in injury, disease or even death.

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

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For news story ideas, interviews, videos and more from DOH Communications visit the DOH Online Newsroom.