Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine » The Board - Licensing, Renewals & Information

The Board

The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine plays a leading role in the ever-changing health care environment through dialogue with the public, the legislature, academia, and the community. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Five members are licensed osteopathic physicians and two members are laypersons. Despite the expiration of their term, Board members continue to serve until they have been replaced.

Are you a current or new board member? Helpful resources and information pertinent to your position are available on the new Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) board member website.

If you are interested in becoming a board member, the site contains material that provides insight into the duties and responsibilities of the role. To view the site, please visit flhealthsource.gov/board-members.

Members of the Board

Watson Ducatel
DO, MPH, CPH, FACOI
Brandon, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2027
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Tiffany Sizemore Di Pietro
DO, FACC, FACOI
Chair
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2023
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Gregory Williams
DO, FAAFP
Tallahassee, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2026
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Monica M. Mortensen
DO
Jacksonville, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2024
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Valerie Jackson
Consumer
Jupiter, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2024
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Chris Creegan
Consumer
Winter Park
Term Ends:
10/31/2026
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William D. Kirsh
DO, MPH
Vice-Chair
Miami, FL
Term Ends:
10/31/2025
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After the expiration of their term, board members can continue to serve until they have been replaced, reappointed, or resign.

Organizational Structure of the Board

The Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance serves as the principle administrative support unit for the board. The board is supported by a full-time professional staff based in Tallahassee, and its regulatory functions are funded in full by fees paid by its licensees. Board members are appointed by the Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. All board members serve four-year terms. To learn more about becoming a member of the board, visit the Governor’s Appointments Office website or email appointments@eog.myflorida.com.

Board Councils & Committees

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Probable Cause Panels

These panels review investigations of complaints filed against licensees and determine whether the investigation materials reflect probable cause that the licensee violated regulatory requirements, including requirements relating to standards of care and misconduct. When probable cause is found, disciplinary action is initiated by the panels for final action by the full Board, after the licensee is afforded due process rights. Board members rotate service on this panel.

Chair
Joel Rose, DO (Panel 1)

Chair
Anna Hayden, DO (Panel 2)

Alternates
Past board members: Sandra Schwemmer, DO & Michelle Mendez, DO

Member(s)
William Kirsh, DO, MPH: All current Board members rotate serving on the panel as needed

Council on Physician Assistants

The Council on Physician Assistants makes recommendations to the department on the licensure of physician assistants. It develops rules regulating the use of physician assistants by physicians and makes recommendations to the Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine regarding all matters relating to physician assistants. It addresses concerns and problems of practicing physician assistants in order to improve safety in the clinical practice of a licensed physician assistant.

Staff Contact: Wendy Alls

Chair
John Byrnes, P.A.

Member(s)
John Byrnes, P.A. – Chair
Katie Callaway, P.A. – Vice Chair
Dayne Alonso, P.A.
Wael Barsoum, M.D.
D.O. member (vacant)

Anesthesiologist Assistant Joint Committee

This committee interviews license applicants whose prior history, including malpractice cases, raises questions of concern regarding the ability to practice with skill and safety, or questions about an Anesthesiology Assistant applicant’s performance in school or prior practice in other jurisdictions. This committee also makes recommendations for rule creation and/or changes relating to the regulation of this profession.

Staff Contact: Wendy Alls

Chair
Hector Vila, MD

Member(s)
Hector Vila, MD – Chair
Eleonor Pimentel, M.D. – Vice Chair
Tiffany DiPietro, DO

Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine’s Joint Committee on Medical Marijuana

This committee was tasked with developing a consent form so the law could be implemented, and qualified physicians could begin complying with the requirements for issuing a physician certification to a qualified patient. The Committee would be working on specific provisions of SB8-A passed during the 2017 Special Legislative Session and related to the medical use of marijuana.

Staff Contact: Bettye “Cherise” Strickland

Chair
TBD

Member(s)
Patrick Hunter, M.D.
Nicholas Romanello, Consumer Member
Michael Wasylik, M.D.
Zachariah Zachariah, M.D.
William Kirsh, D.O.
Christopher Creegan, Consumer Member
Valerie Jackson, Consumer Member

Physician Certification Pattern Review Panel

Section 381.986, Florida Statutes requires the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine to jointly create a physician certification pattern review panel that shall review all physician certifications submitted to the medical marijuana use registry. The panel shall track and report the number of physician certifications and the qualifying medical conditions, dosage, supply amount, and form of marijuana certified. The panel shall report the data both by individual qualified physician and in the aggregate, by county, and statewide. The physician certification pattern review panel shall, beginning January 1, 2018, submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Staff Contact: Bettye “Cherise” Strickland

Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine’s Joint Committee on Surgical Care and Quality Assurance Committee

This committee reviews the Board’s rules relating to standard of care for office surgery to determine necessary and appropriate revisions to strengthen patient safety and minimize the risk factors that contribute to adverse patient incidents. This committee addresses issues related to quality of care and standards of practice and formulates policy recommendations for the full Board’s consideration and studies quality of care issues as they arise.

Staff Contact: Bettye “Cherise” Strickland

Chair
Wael Barsoum, M.D.

Member(s)
David Diamond, M.D. - Chair
Hector Vila, M.D. – Vice-Chair
Wael Barsoum, M.D.
Amy Derick, M.D.
Patrick Hunter, M.D.
Nicole Justice, Consumer Member
Michael Wasylik, M.D.
Tiffany Di Pietro, D.O.
William Kirsh, D.O.
Monica Mortensen, D.O.

Board of Pharmacy Joint Rules Committee with Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine

Rules Committee

Chair
Dr. Jeffrey J. Mesaros

Member(s)
Dr. Jeenu Philip
Dr. Johnathan Hickman
Dr. Patty Ghazvini
Dr. Cristina Medina
Tiffany Di Pietro, D.O.
Monica Mortensen, D.O.

Board Staff

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	Stephanie Webster Executive Director Responsibilities: Responsibilities are administrative and include budget, legislation, and policy issues.

Legal Counsel

Donna McNulty
Senior Assistant Attorney General