Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETISTS
Respondent: MARK BOWLIN, OFA
Judges: JOHN G. VAN LANINGHAM
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Tampa, Florida
Filed: Mar. 18, 2010
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, September 9, 2010.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
MAR-18-2618 14:23 AHCA
Mar 18 2010 11:32
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
v. CASE NO. 2007-07950
MARK BOWLIN, OFA, |
RESPONDENT.
a
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
COMES NOW Petitioner, Department of Health, by and through its
undersigned counsel, files this Administrative Complaint before the Board
of Orthotists and Prosthetists against Respondent, Mark Bowlin, OFA, and
in support thereof alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state department charged with regulating the
practice. of orthotics and prosthetics pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida
Statutes; Chapter 456, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 468, Part XIV, Florida
Statutes. a _
2. At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was a
licensed Orthotic Fitter Assistant within the state of Florida, having been
issued license number OFA 86.
WOR-B-2R1A 11:23 auca Mar 18 2010 11:33
3. Respondent’s address of record is 7304 Della Drive, Orlando,
Florida 32819. |
4 Jn or about March 2007, Patitioner obtained a copy of te
Respondant’s business card from an anonymous Source py facsimile.
Respondent's business card listed the name of Respondent's empioyer, and
listed Respondent's name and designation as “Mark Bowlin, CFo” On the
line underneath Respondent's name and designation, Respondent's
business card listed his title as “Orthotic Consultant/Orthotic Fitter.” On or
about March 17, 2007, Respondent himself faxed Petitioner 3 copy of his
business card that exactly matched the copy Petitioner had received from
the anonymous source. Petitioner later obtained an actual business card
from Respondent's employer that matched both copies previously received
by facsimile,
5. Onor about October 14, 2008, Patitioner obtained a new copy
of Respondent's business card from his employer’s attorney by facsimile.
The card still listed. the. name of Respondent's employer, and again listed
Respondent's name and designation as “Mark Bowlin, CFo”. On the line
underneath Respondent's name and designation, Respondent’s new
business card listed his title as “Orthotic Consultant/OFA #86”.
MAR-18-2618 11:24 AHCA
6.
Mar 18 2010 11:33
Section 468.80(10), Florida Statutes, defines an “Orthotist” as a
person licensed to practice orthotics pursuant to this chapter.
7
att
Saction 468.80(9), Florida Statutes, defines “Orthotics” as:
[T]he practice of avaluating, treatment formuiating, measuring,
designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, servicing,
or providing the initial training necessary to accomplish the
fitting of an orthosis or pedorthic device.
Saction 468.80(6), Florida Statutes, defines an "Orthosis” as:
[Alny medical device used to provide support, correction, OF
alieviation of neuromuscuiar or musculoskeletal dysfunction,
disease, injury, or deformity but does not indude the following
assistive technology devices: upper extremity adaptive
equipment used to facilitate -the activities of daily itving,
including specialized utensils, combs, and brushes; finger
splints; wheeichair seating and equipment that is an integral
part of the wheelchair and not worn by the patient; elastic
abdominal supports that do not have metal or plastic
reinforcing stays; nontherapeutic arch supports; nontherapeutic —
accommodative inlays and nontherapeutic accommodative
- footwear, regardiess of method of manufacture; unmodified,
over-the-counter nontherapeutic shoes, prefabricated
nontherapeutic foot care products, durable medical equipment
such as canes, crutches, or walkers; dental appliances; or
devices implanted into the body by a physician. For purposes of
this subsection, "accommodative" means designed with the
primary goal of conforming. to the individual's anatomy, "inlay"
means any removable material upon which the foot directly
rests inside the shoe and which may be an integral design
component of the shoe, and "musculaskeletal” and
"neuromuscular" mean the systems of the body providing
support and movement and include the skeletal, muscular,
circulatory, nervous, and integumentary systems.
MAR-18-2618 11:24 AHCA
9.
as:
10.
Mar 18 2010 11:33
Section 468.80(7), Florida Statutes, defines an “Orthotic Fitter"
fA] person who !s licensed to practice orthotics whose scope of
practice is limited to fitting prefabricated cervical orthneses not
requiring more than minor modification and not used for the
treatment of cervical fractures or disiocations; custom-made
and prefabricated compression garments; Twsses; CUSTOM
molded and noncustom diabetic therapeutic footwear,
prefabricated corset or frame-type spinal orthases, except for
those used in the treatment of vertebral fractures or scoliosis,
rigid body jackets made of thermoformable materials, and
"halo" devices; and prefabricated orthoses of the upper and
lower extremities, except for those used in the treatment of
bone fractures and open diabetic uicers.
Section 468.80(8), Floriaa Statutes, defines an "Orthotic Fitter
Assistant™ as:
11.
[A] person who is licensed to practice orthotics whose scope of
practice is limited to fitting, without modification, prefabricated
soft cervical orthoses not used for the treatment of cervical
fractures or dislocations; prefabricated soft spinal supports not
used for treatment of vertebral fractures, prefabricated
compression garments; trusses, and soft prefabricated orthoses
for the upper and lower extremities not used in the treatment
of bone fractures and open diabetic ulcers.
The designation “CFo” indicates an individual has registered
with the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics &
Padorthics (ABC) as a “Certified Fitter of Orthotics”; however, this
designation is not recognized in the state of Florida by the Board of
MOR-LG-2R1a 11t24 auca Mar 18 2010 11:34
Orthotists and Prosthetists. Respondent's use of the designation is
misieading to the general public since he is only ficensed in the state of
Fiorida as an orthotic fitter assisrant.
12. The term “Orthotic Consultant” is a term of art created by the
Respondent and/or his employer. By using tne term “Orthotic Consuizant” .
in connection with only the initials of his Fiorida license, OFA, Respondent
has downplayed his status as an orthotic fitter assistant and/or misied the
public to believe he can provide services which exceed the scope of his
Florida license.
COUNT ONE
13. Petitioner realieges and incorporates paragraphs one (1)
through twelve (12) as if fully set forth herein.
14. Section 468.811(1)(e), Florida Statutes (2006-2008), provides
that advertising goods or services in a fraudulent, false, deceptive, or
misleading manner constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the ‘Board
of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
15. Respondent advertised goods or services in a fraudulent, false,
deceptive, or misleading manner in one or more of the following ways:
MAR-18-2618 11:25 AHCA
Mar 18 2010 11:34
a. By using the designation Cro, a designation not recognized in
the state of Florida by the Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists,
on business cards in 2007 and 2008;
b, By using the title “Orthotic: Fitter” on a 2007 business card
when Respondent was only licensed as an orthotic Fitter
assistant; and/or
c. By using the title “Ortnotic Consuitant” in connection with only
the initials of Resmondent’s Florida iicense, OFA, on a 2008
pusiness card, thus downpiaying Respondent's status @5 ai
_ orthotic fitter assistant and/or misleading the public to believe
Respondent can provide services which exceed the scope of his
Florida license.
16. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated Section
468.811(1)(e), Florida Statutes (2006-2008), advertising goods or services
in a fraudulent, false, deceptive, or Misieading manner.
COUNT TWO
17. Petitioner realleges and incorporates paragraphs one (1)
through twelve (12) as if fully set forth herein.
18. Section 468.811(1)(j), Florida Statutes (2006-2008), provides
that violating any provision of chapter 468, chapter 456, or any rules
adopted pursuant thereto constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the
Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
19. Section 468.813, Florida Statutes (2006-2008), provides that a
person must be licensed under this act to represent himself or herself as a
6
MAR-18-2618 11:25 AHCA
Mar 18 2010 11:34
licensed orthotist or prosthetist or use in connection with his or her name
the words “orthotist," "prosthetist," "prosthatist-orthotist," “orthotic fitter,"
“orthotic fitter assistant," “pedorthist," or ‘abbreviations, titles, or insignia
indicating that he or she is an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthatist-orthotist,
orthotic fitter, orthotic fitter assistant, or pedorthist.
20. Respondent used the title “Orthotic Fitter” on a business card in
2007, and/or used the designation “CFo”, meaning “Certified Fitter of
Orthotics” on business cards in 2007 and 2008. Respondent, therefore,
attempted to represent himself as an orthotic fitter when he was only
licensed in Florida as an orthotic fitter assistant.
21. Based on the foregoing, Respondent has violated Section
468.811(1)(j), Florida. Statutes (2006-2008), by violating Section 468.813,
Florida Statutes (2006-2008), which requires that a person must be
licensed under this act to represent himself or herself as a licensed
orthotist or prosthetist or use in connection with his or her name the words
"orthotist," "prosthetist,” "prosthetist-orthotist,” "orthotic fitter,” “orthotic
fitter assistant,” "pedorthist," or abbreviations, titles, or insignia indicating
that he or she is an orthotist, prosthetist, prosthetist-orthotist, orthotic
fitter, orthotic fitter assistant, or pedorthist.
WOR-1B-2R1a 11125 auca Mar 18 2010 11:35
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board of
Orthotists and prosthetists enter an order imposing oné or more of the
foliowing penalties: permanent ravocation or suspension of Respondent's
licanse, restriction of practice, imposition of an aciministrative fine, issuance
of a reprimand, piacement of Respondent on probation, corrective action,
refund of fees bilied or collected, remedial education and/or any other reliey
that the Board deems appropriate.
SIGNED this 19" day of December, 2008.
Ana M. Viamonte Ros, M.D., M.P.H.
State Surgeon General,
MY}, 4 fh
i wt ij
Wayne Mitchell
Assistant General Counsel
DOH Prosecution Services Unit
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
oerK:(hen gtent Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3265
i P, Florida Bar # 869414
DATE Ja-QEcCs Phone: (850) 245-4640
Fax: (850) 245-4683
==
Pcp: 13/\9] 08
PCP Members: RG 4 AG
DOH v Mark Bowlin, OFA; Case #2007-07950
WOR-1B-2010 11126 auca Mar 18 2010 11:35
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be
conducted in accordance with Section 120.569 and 120,57,
Florida Statutes, to be represented by course! or other qualified
representative, to present evidence and argument, fo call and
cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoena and subpoens
duces tecum issued on his or her behalf if a hearing is requested.
NOTICE REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF COST s
Respondent is piaced on notice that Petitioner has incurred
cests related to the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
Pursuant to Section 456.072(4), Florida Statutes, the Board shall
assess costs related to the investigation and prosecution of &
discipiinary matter, which may include attorney hours and costs,
on the Respondent in addition to any other discipline imposed.
DOH v Mark Bowlin, OFA; Case #2007-07950
Docket for Case No: 10-001467PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 28, 2010 |
Motion to Reopen Case filed. (DOAH CASE NO. 10-9402PL ESTABLISHED)
|
Sep. 17, 2010 |
Transmittal letter from Claudia Llado forwarding Petitioner's Deposition of Scott Lee Saunders with Exhibits, to the agency.
|
Sep. 09, 2010 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 09, 2010 |
Joint Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction with Leave to Reopen filed.
|
Sep. 08, 2010 |
Respondent's Exhibits List (exhibits not attached) filed.
|
Sep. 08, 2010 |
Respondent's Witness List filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2010 |
Deposition of Scott Lee Saunders filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2010 |
Petitioner's Notice of Filing Transcript of Deposition in Liew of Live Testimony of Scott Lee Saunders with Exhibits (exhibits not available for viewing).
|
Sep. 02, 2010 |
Notice of Court Reporter filed.
|
Aug. 31, 2010 |
Unilateral Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
|
Aug. 27, 2010 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (of S. Price) filed.
|
Aug. 27, 2010 |
Notice of Taking Depostition (of M. Price) filed.
|
Aug. 17, 2010 |
Notice of Taking Deposition Duces Tecum in Lieu of Live Testimony (of S. Saunders) filed.
|
Jun. 29, 2010 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for September 9, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jun. 29, 2010 |
Order on Motion in Limine.
|
Jun. 29, 2010 |
Order Denying Motion to Deem Admissions Admitted.
|
Jun. 28, 2010 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Jun. 28, 2010 |
Respondent, Mark Bowlin's, Response to First Interrogatories filed.
|
Jun. 28, 2010 |
Notice of Service of Unsworn Answers of Respondent, Mark Bowlin, to First Interrogatories filed.
|
Jun. 28, 2010 |
Respondent, Mark Bowlin's, Response to First Request for Admissions filed.
|
Jun. 28, 2010 |
Respondent, Mark Bowlin's, Response to First Request to Produce filed.
|
Jun. 24, 2010 |
Amended Notice of Telephonic Motion Hearing (motion hearing set for June 28, 2010; 2:00 p.m.).
|
Jun. 10, 2010 |
Notice of Telephonic Motion Hearing (motion hearing set for June 28, 2010; 10:00 a.m.).
|
May 25, 2010 |
Petitioner's Motion in Limine to Exclude/Disallow Testimony of Respondent's Witnesses and/or Admittance of Respondent's Exhibits filed.
|
May 25, 2010 |
Motion for Order Deeming Admissions Admitted filed.
|
May 04, 2010 |
Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for July 20, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa and Tallahassee, FL).
|
May 04, 2010 |
Order on Motion to Deem Admitted.
|
May 04, 2010 |
Petitioner's Emergency Motion in Limine to Exclude/Disallow Testimony of Respondent's Witnesses and/or Admittance of Respondent's Exhibits filed.
|
May 04, 2010 |
Motion for Expedited Order Deeming Admissions Admitted filed.
|
May 04, 2010 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
May 03, 2010 |
Notice of Court Reporter filed.
|
Apr. 27, 2010 |
Notice of Service of Discovery filed.
|
Apr. 26, 2010 |
Petitioner's Unilateral Pre-hearing Stipulation filed.
|
Apr. 21, 2010 |
Notice of Co-counsel Appearance (of W. Mitchell) filed.
|
Mar. 26, 2010 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for May 5, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Mar. 26, 2010 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Mar. 25, 2010 |
Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Mar. 18, 2010 |
Initial Order.
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Mar. 18, 2010 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by J. Peters).
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Mar. 18, 2010 |
Election of Rights filed.
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Mar. 18, 2010 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Mar. 18, 2010 |
Agency referral filed.
|
|
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |