Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the members of the Florida Board of Medicine, I send best wishes for a happy, prosperous, and safe New Year to Florida’s medical community.
Your board is comprised of twelve physicians and three consumer members. All are appointed by Florida’s governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate to regulate the profession of medicine in our state. Like most of you, my physician colleagues and I are engaged in the full-time practice of medicine. Our consumer members are dedicated public servants committed to ensuring the highest level of quality medical care and safety for Floridians.
Together, we experience and understand the ever increasing daily responsibilities and challenges facing physicians, physician assistants and the entire medical community. We also understand the trust, honor and sense of fulfillment that emanates from the special privilege of caring for our friends, neighbors, and fellow Floridians.
As incoming Chair, I would like to sincerely thank our immediate past Chairman, Dr. Nabil El Sanadi, along with my fellow board members, our counsel, and board staff for their tireless work to ensure that the highest quality of medical care is being practiced in Florida.
Over 68,000 doctors are currently licensed in the state of Florida. The board’s role is to facilitate physicians to do what they have dedicated their lifetime to – “practice quality medicine.” While the overwhelming majority of physicians will never be involved in a disciplinary proceeding, our board is charged by Florida’s Legislature as a quasi-judicial body with disciplinary responsibility.
We are privileged to have a team of hard-working professional staff led by André Ourso, J.D., our incoming Executive Director. Please know that your board office stands ready to address any of your questions or concerns related to Florida’s rules that govern the practice of medicine. When communicating with the board or staff, you can expect honest, respectful and professional interaction.
As incoming Chair, I hope to increase physician awareness of the important rules governing our profession. We will continue to streamline board processes and efficiencies as we fulfill our mission to promote, protect, and improve the health of all Floridians.
We certainly welcome your thoughts, suggestions and comments for improving the Florida Board of Medicine. Please feel free to contact Ms. Crystal A. Sanford, our Program Operations Administrator, at Crystal.Sanford@flhealth.gov.
I am honored and humbled with the opportunity to serve as your Chair of the Florida Board of Medicine.
Again, best wishes to you all for a happy and healthy 2015.
Sincerely,
James W. Orr, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACS
Chairman, Florida Board of Medicine
