State Issues Orders Against 8 Tampa Bay Healthcare Providers

The Florida Department of Health has announced it’s taken action against 18 healthcare providers from across the state. A total of eight practitioners from the Tampa Bay area have had their licenses suspended or restricted.

Emergency suspensions and license restrictions are issued for “serious violations, which may include the commission of crimes, violations of standards of care, drug use, impairment, drug diversion, sexual misconduct or student loan defaults,” the state explained in an email to media.

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Emergency suspension and emergency restriction orders are not considered final actions, the state noted. “The individual is entitled to a hearing before final action is taken by a regulatory board or by the department.”

The Tampa Bay area health care providers who had action taken against them in November include:

• Brian David Muto, a chiropractor from St. Petersburg. The action stems from an arrest related to the sale of testosterone, according to state records. An emergency suspension was filed, state records show.
• Caroline Marie Brazeau, a licensed massage therapist from Tampa. The action stems from drug-related charges, according to a state complaint. An Emergency Restriction Order was filed against Brazeau, state records show.
• Denise Johanna Nelson, a registered nurse from Thonotosassa. The action stems from drug-related issues, a state complaint says. An Emergency Restriction Order was filed against Nelson.
• Gesler Garcia, a licensed massage therapist from Brandon. An Emergency Restrictive Order was filed in this case. The complaint in this case has not been made public, state records indicate.
• Jonie Lee Juarez, a licensed practical nurse from Clearwater/Hawthorne. An Emergency Suspension Order was filed in this case. Juarez’s suspension stems from grand theft charges out of Highlands County, the complaint states.
• Lisa A. Welden-Tito, a licensed practical nurse from Sarasota. An Emergency Restriction Order was filed in this case. The complaint has not been made public, state records indicate. The state noted that Welden-Tito voluntarily withdrew her license.
• Raphael Sanders, a licensed practical nurse from Temple Terrace. An Emergency Restriction Order was filed in this case. The complaint has not been made public.
• Rebecca Allison Owen, a registered nurse from St. Petersburg. An Emergency Restriction Order was filed in this case. The complaint has not been made public.

To find out more about licensed medical professionals in the state, visit the Florida Department of Health online.

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