21-002069PL Department Of Health, Bureau Of Emergency Medical Services vs. Ryan Robert Centofanti, Emt-P Status: Closed Recommended Order on Monday, January 31, 2022.

Summary: Petitioner proved that Respondent committed a violation that was directly related to the practices of an EMT and a paramedic.

S TATE OF F LORIDA

D IVISION OF A DMINISTRATIVE H EARINGS

D EPARTMENT OF H EALTH , B UREAU OF

E MERGENCY M EDICAL S ERVICES ,

Petitioner ,

vs. Case No. 21 - 2069PL

R YAN R OBERT C ENTOFANTI , E MT - P ,

Respondent .

/

R ECOMMENDED O RDER

Pursuant to notice, a final hearing was conducted on November 16, 2021,

via Zoom, before Garnett W. Chisenhall, a duly designated Administrative

Law Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings (ÑDOAHÒ).

A PPEARANCES

For Petitioner: Zach a ry Bell , Esquire

Department of Health

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C - 65

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3265

For Respondent: Ryan R obert Centofanti , pro se

22 Palmyra Lan e

Palm Coast, Florida 32164

S TATEMENT OF T HE I SSUE S

The issues are whether Respondent committed the violations alleged in

the Administrative Complaint; and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.

P RELIMINARY S TATEMENT

The Department of Health (Ñthe DepartmentÒ) issued an Administrative

Complaint on March 23, 2021, alleging that Respondent (Ñ Mr. CentofantiÒ)

pled nolo contendere, on approximately August 11, 2020, to violating:

(a) section 316.193(4), Florida Statutes (2019), by driving a vehicle while

having a blood - alcohol or breath - alcohol level of 0.15 or higher; and

(b) section 790.151, Florida Statutes (2019), 1 by using a firearm while under

the influence of alcohol. With regard to the latter violation, the Department

alleged that Mr. Centofanti had been observed firing an AR - 15 rifle 2 through

a window of his vehicle as he was driving through a residential area. Count I

of the Administrative Complaint alleged that Mr. Centofanti had violated

section 456.072(1)(c), Florida Statutes, by Ñ[b]eing convicted or found guilty

of, or entering a plea of guilty o r nolo contendere to, regardless of

adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which relates to the practice of, or

the ability to practice, a licenseeÔs profession.Ò Count II of the Administrative

Complaint alleged that Mr. Centofanti had violated section 456.072(1)(x), by

Ñ[f]ailing to report to the board, or the [D]epartment if there is no board, in

writing within 30 days after the licensee has been convicted or found guilty

of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime

in any jurisdiction.Ò

Mr. Centofanti responded to the Administrative Complaint by submitting

an Election of Rights form disputing the allegations in Counts I and II.

The Department referred this matter to DOAH, and the undersigned

scheduled a formal ad ministrative hearing for August 13, 2021.

At the DepartmentÔs request, the final hearing was rescheduled for

November 16, 2021, and was convened as scheduled.

1 All subsequent statutory references herein shall be to the 2020 version of the Florida

Statutes.

2 The DepartmentÔs Administrative Co mplaint described an AR - 15 rifle as Ña popular

lightweight, semi - automatic rifle - style firearm with a high capacity magazine and

interchangeable components.Ò

During the final hearing, the Department presented testimony from

Officer Gaetano Cozzone of the City of Flagler Beach police department.

PetitionerÔs Exhibits 1 through 9 were accepted into evidence. PetitionerÔs

Exhibit 7 is a deposition taken in lieu of live testimony of the DepartmentÔs

expert witness, James M. Tucker, E.M.T. - P.

Mr. Centofan ti testified on his own behalf. With the undersignedÔs

permission, Mr. Centofanti submitted several documents on November 23,

2021, all of which are hereby designed as RespondentÔs Composite Exhibit 1.

The one - volume final hearing Transcript was filed on January 3, 2022,

and the Department filed a timely P roposed R ecommended O rder that was

considered in the preparation of this Recommended Order. Mr. Centofanti did

not file a post - hearing submittal.

F INDINGS OF F ACT

Based on the oral and documentary evi dence adduced at the final hearing,

the entire record of this proceeding, and matters subject to official

recognition, the following Findings of Fact are made:

The Parties

1. The Department is the state agency responsible for regulating

emergency medical services in the State of Florida pursuant to section 20.43,

Florida Statutes ; chapter 401, Florida Statutes ; and chapter 456.

2. At the present time , and at all times relevant to the instant case,

Mr. Centofanti held emergency medical technician (ÑEMTÒ) 3 c ertificate 4

3 Section 401.23(11) defines an Ñemergency medical technicianÒ as Ña person who is certified

b y [the Department] to perform basic life support pursuant to this part.Ò

4 Section 456.001(15), Florida Statutes, defines a ÑlicenseÒ as Ñ any permit, registration,

certificate, or license, including a provisional license, issued by the Department.Ò

number EMT 537881 and paramedic 5 certificate number PMD 526190.

Mr. Centofanti has performed well during his career as an EMT/paramedic.

3. At the time of the final hearing, Mr. Centofanti was not working in the

emergency medical services fie ld. Instead, he was working as a

ÑParamedic IIIÒ in pharmaceutical research for Labcorp . That position assists

with testing drugs on human subjects in order to ascertain whether those

drugs can be administered to humans on a wide basis. Mr. CentofantiÔs

sp ecific duties include screening subjects for health problems and taking

their vitals. While he is not administering any life - saving treatment during

his work for Labcorp , he believes he would not be able to retain his position

with Labcorp without a parame dic certificate.

4. Mr. Centofanti also earns money by manufacturing and selling

firearms, including AR - 15 rifles, from his garage.

Facts Specific to the Instant Case

5. Officer Gaetano Cozzone is a police officer with the City of Flagler

Beach, Flori da , and was on patrol in his police vehicle during the early

morning hours of January 17, 2020. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Officer

Cozzone received a call over his police radio about a dark - colored sport utility

vehicle (Ñthe SUVÒ) in the area of Island E states Parkway, four to five miles

north of his jurisdiction. The call reported that gunshots were coming from

the vehicle. Officer Cozzone eventually encountered the SUV as it was

traveling south at a high rate of speed on North Ocean Shore Boulevard.

Off ice r Cozzone was traveling in the opposite direction and had to turn

around and exceed the speed limit in order to catch up to the SUV.

6. Mr. Centofanti was driving the SUV.

5 Section 401.23(17) defines a ÑparamedicÒ as Ña person who is certified by [the Department]

to perform basic and advanced life support pursuant to this part.Ò

7. While Office r Cozzone was following the SUV, he observed flashes,

appearing to be gunshots, coming from the driverÔs side window. 6 As a result,

Officer Cozzone called for backup rather than attempting to execut e a traffic

stop by himself. When the SUV turned on North 16th S treet and into a

residential area, Officer Cozzone determi ned he could not wait for backup due

to the danger the SUV posed to bystanders. Accordingly, Officer Cozzone

pulled the SUV over, withdrew his sidearm, and ordered Mr. Centofanti to

put his hands out the driverÔs side window.

8. When backup arrived, Office r Cozzone conducted a Ñfelony stopÒ by

ordering Mr. Centofanti to exit the vehicle and walk backwards toward him. 7

9. Mr. Centofanti appeared to be intoxicated as he exited the vehicle. His

eyes were glassed over, he moved slowly, his speech was slurred, and he

smelled of alcohol.

10. While inspecting the SUV , Officer Cozzone detected gunpowder or gun

smoke emanating from the vehicleÔs interior. He saw an AR - 15 rifle on the

back floorboard and several spent shell casings randomly strewn throughout

the SU V. Officer Cozzone noted that the AR - 15 was hot to the touch as if it

had been recently fired multiple times. 8

11. Officer Cozzone ultimately turned the traffic stop over to the local

sheriffÔs office, and Mr. Centofanti was arrested for driving under the

influence (ÑDUIÒ) .

6 The flashes were gunshots from Mr. CentofantiÔs AR - 15 rifle. Rather than firing toward a

resi dential area, he was firing east toward the Atlantic Ocean.

7 Officer Cozzone had to yell loudly because Mr. Centofanti was having difficulty hearing

him. According to Officer Cozzone, oneÔs hearing can be temporarily impaired due to the loud

noise that results from discharging a firearm.

8 Through his questioning of Officer Cozzone, Mr. Centofanti unsuccessfully attempted to

discredit Officer CozzoneÔs testimony that he witnessed gunshots coming from the SUV.

Given the overwhelming evidence that Mr. C entofanti had been firing an AR - 15 from the

SUV, that line of questioning was pointless. While the Department argues in its Proposed

Recommended Order that this indicates Mr. Centofanti has not taken responsibility for his

actions on January 17, 2020, one could also conclude that this ill - advised line of questioning

resulted from the fact that Mr. Centofanti was appearing pro se .

12. On August 11, 2020, Mr. Centofanti pled nolo contendere to: (a) DUI ,

with a blood - alcohol level or breath - alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, in violation

of section 316.193(4); and (b) using a firearm while under the influence of

al cohol in violation of section 790.151.

13. On August 13, 2020, the Flagler County Circuit Court adjudicated

Mr. Centofanti guilty of the aforementioned violations and sentenced him to

12 months of probation. Also, the circuit court imposed the following s pecial

probationary conditions: (a) a drug and alcohol evaluation and subsequent

treatment if deemed necessary; (b) payment for drug testing; (c) abstaining

from using alcohol and/or illegal drugs and not associating with anyone using

illegal drugs or alco hol; (d) random urinalysis testing; (e) completion of

50 hours of community service; (f) completion of an alcohol safety education

course; (g) impoundment of his vehicle for ten days; (h) completion of a victim

awareness program; (i) installation of an ign ition interlock device on his

vehicle for six months; and (j) a six - month driverÔs license suspension.

14. Mr. Centofanti received a letter dated September 7, 2021, from the

Department of Corrections indicating that he had successfully completed his

probat ion.

Expert Testimony

15. James Tucker is a firefighter - paramedic and an engineer for

Fernandina Beach, Florida. He has been a paramedic since 2010 and is a

certified paramedic. He is qualified to provide expert testimony on emergency

medical technician s and paramedics.

16. Mr. Tucker explained that good judgment is important for EMTs and

paramedics Ñ[b]ecause we are entrusted with the public, where weÔre given

charge of their care and treatment when theyÔre vulnerable and when they Ï

they are in need.Ò He also testified that a patient can be harmed if a

paramedic or EMT fails to exercise good judgment. In sum, good judgment is

an essential aspect of being an EMT or paramedic. 9

Ultimate Findings

17. The Department has clearly and convincingly proven that

Mr. Centofanti violated section 456.072(1)(c), by Ñ[b]eing convicted or found

guilty of, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of

adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which relates to the practice of, or

the ability to pr actice, a licenseeÔs profession.Ò

18. An EMT or paramedic failing to exercise good judgment constitutes a

danger to the public health or welfare. The acts of driving under the influence

and discharging a firearm while intoxicated are the antithesis of go od

judgment. Thus, the Department has clearly and convincingly demonstrated

9 When asked why his convictions do not relate to being an EMT or a paramedic,

Mr. Centofanti offered the following testimony :

I was Ï I feel that I was not working as a paramedic at the

time, and my Ï that Ï the worst decision of my life I made was

to get behind that wheel that night, and I feel that it does not

have any impact on my ability to practice medicine

whatsoever. IÔ ve never had a clinical error. IÔve never

misdosed somebody. IÔve never not responded to a call for

help. IÔve never been disciplined for breaking protocol or

anything like that. And that was a decision I made in my

personal life that was the wrong decisio n, and I have suffered

greatly for that decision, but I do not feel that it has any

bearing or any weight on my ability to practice, and I feel IÔve

demonstrated Ï this happened almost two years ago, and

since then, a company hired me, knowing the facts of that

case, running my background check, and they still, you know,

granted me under them, you know, to work as a paramedic.

And same with Labcorp . When I applied, they knew the facts

of the case. Obviously, it came up in my background. And

both of those co mpanies did not feel that I was a threat to the

public, and if I was, they never would have hired me in the

beginning.

that those offenses directly relate, in a negative manner, to the practice of

being an EMT or a paramedic. 10

19. Mr. Centofanti does not dispute the DepartmentÔs allegation tha t he

did not report his nolo contendere plea to the Department in writing within

30 days of its entry. 11

C ONCLUSIONS OF L AW

20. Pursuant to section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, DOAH has

jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of this proceeding.

21. A proceeding, such as this one, to impose discipline upon a licensee, is

penal in nature. State ex rel. Vining v. Fla. Real Estate Comm Ô n. , 281 So. 2d

487, 491 (Fla. 1973). Accordingly, the Department must prove the charges

against Mr. Centofanti by clear and convincing evidence. Dep Ô t of Banking &

Fin., Div. of Sec. & Inv. Prot. v. Osborne Stern & Co. , 670 So. 2d 932, 933 - 34

(Fla. 1996)(citing Ferris v. Turlington , 510 So. 2d 292, 294 - 95 (Fla. 1987));

Nair v. Dep Ô t of Bus. & Pro . Reg ul ., Bd. of Med. , 654 So. 2d 205, 207 (Fla. 1st

DCA 1995).

10 Mr. Centofanti explained that his actions on January 17, 2020, resulted from the trauma

he experienced after treating a mother who had committed suicide in front of her young

children in March of 2019 . Following that incident, Mr. Centofanti experienced substantial

difficulty accessing mental health treatmen t and was unable to do so until he began treating

with a psychiatrist in October of 2019.

11 With regard to not reporting the convictions to the Department , Mr. Centofanti offered the

following testimony:

So I Ï you know, not reporting it when that happened, I was

not in a good place. The last thing I was thinking was, hey, I

need to report this to the Department of Health. Should I

have done, and is that what is in the policy and procedure?

Yeah, I should have reported that, but at that time, it didnÔt

even occur to me that thatÔs something I needed to do, you

know. We probab ly went over that in 2012 in paramedic

school, but it was not something that crossed my mind. So it

wasnÔt something that I intentionally decided not to [do]. I

just had a lot of other things going on at that time.

22. Regarding the standard of proof, the court in Slomowitz v. Walker , 429

So. 2d 797, 800 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983), stated that:

[C] lear and convincing evidence requires that the

evidence must be found to be credible ; the facts to

which the witnesses testify must be distinctly

remembered; the testimony must be precise and

explicit and the witnesses must be lacking in

confusion as to the facts in issue. The evidence

must be of such weight that it produces in the mind

o f the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction,

without hesitancy, as to the truth of the allegations

sought to be established.

23. The Florida Supreme Court later adopted the Slomowitz court's

description of clear and convincing evidence. See In re Dave y , 645 So. 2d 398,

404 (Fla. 1994). The First District Court of Appeal has also followed the

Slomowitz test, adding the interpretive comment that Ñ [a]lthough this

standard of proof may be met where the evidence is in conflict, . . . it seems to

preclude ev idence that is ambiguous. Ò Westinghouse Elec. Corp. v. Shuler

Bros., Inc. , 590 So. 2d 986, 988 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991).

24. Penal statutes must be construed in terms of their literal meaning and

words used by the Legislature may not be expanded to broaden the

application of such statutes. Thus, the provisions of law upon which this

disciplinary action has been brought must be strictly construed, with any

ambiguity in favor of the one against whom the penalty would be imposed.

Elmariah v. Dep Ô t of Pro . Reg ul ., B d. of Med. , 574 So. 2d 164, 165 (Fla. 1st

DCA 1990); see also Griffis v. Fish & Wildlife Conser. Comm Ô n , 57 So. 3d 929,

931 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011); Beckett v. Dep Ô t of Fin. Servs. , 982 So. 2d 94, 100

(Fla. 1st DCA 2008); Whitaker v. Dep Ô t of Ins. & Treas. , 68 0 So. 2d 528, 531

(Fla. 1st DCA 1996); Dyer v. DepÔt of Ins. & Treas. , 585 So. 2d 1009, 1013

(Fla. 1st DCA 1991).

25. Count I of the DepartmentÔs Administrative Complaint alleged that

Mr. Centofanti violated section 456.072(1)(c) , which subjects licensees to

discipline for Ñ[b]eing convicted or found guilty of, or entering a plea of guilty

or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction

which relates to the practice of, or the ability to practice, a licenseeÔs

profession.Ò 12

2 6. ÑSeveral cases demonstrate that, although the statutory definition of a

particular profession does not specifically refer to acts involved in the crime

committed, the crime may nevertheless relate to the profession.Ò Doll v. DepÔt

of Health , 969 So. 2d 1103, 1106 (Fla. 1st DCA 2007). Moreover, ÑFlorida

courts have construed the statutory language Órelating toÔ the practice of a

licenseeÔs profession under section 456.072(1)(c), broadly to encompass

conduct that constitutes a danger to the public health o r welfare.Ò DepÔt of

Health, Bd. of Nursing v. Karim, C.N.A. , Case No. 14 - 1972PL (Fla. DOAH

Dec. 5, 2014; Fla. DOH Mar. 17, 2015) ; s ee also DepÔt of Health, Bd. of

Dentistry v. Moye, D.D.S. , Case No. 18 - 659PL (Fla. DOAH June 14, 2018; Fla.

DOH Sept. 14, 20 18)(concluding that the Department proved that a dentist

violated section 456.072(1)(c) Ñas a result if his driving under the influence of

alcohol.Ò).

27. The Department clearly and convincingly proved that Mr. Centofanti

violated section 456.072(1)(c).

28. EMTs and paramedics must exercise good judgment. If they fail to do

so, then the public health and welfare are endangered. The acts of driving

under the influence and discharging a firearm while intoxicated are the

antithesis of good judgment. Thus, the Department has clearly and

convincingly demonstrated that those offenses directly relate, in a negative

manner, to the practice of being an EMT or a paramedic.

12 Chapter 401, Part II, Florida Statut es, sets forth provisions that apply specifically to EMT s

and paramedics. However, EMTs and paramedics are also subject to c hapter 456.

See § 20.43(3)(g), Fla. Stat. (establishing the Division of Medical Quality Assurance (Ñthe

DivisionÒ) within the Depart ment and making the Division responsible for EMTs and

paramedics); £ 456.001(7), Fla. Stat. (defining ÑprofessionÒ as Ñany activity, profession, or

vocation regulated by [the Department] in the [Division].Ò); £ 456.002, Fla. Stat. (providing

that c hapter 4 56 Ñapplies only to the regulation by [the Department] of professions.Ò) .

29. Count 2 of the DepartmentÔs Administrative Complaint alleged that

Mr. Centofanti violat ed 456.072(1)(x) , which subjects licensees to discipline

for failing to report to the Department Ñin writing within 30 days after the

licensee has been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo

contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a cri me in any jurisdiction.Ò

30. Mr. Centofanti does not dispute that he failed to report his plea of nolo

contendere and the resulting adjudication of guilt to the Department within

30 days as required by section 456.072(1)(x).

31. As for the penalty to be imposed on Mr. Centofanti for the violations

discussed above, section 456.072(2) sets forth the penalties that can be

imposed by the Department if any person is found guilty of the grounds set

forth in section 456.072(1). Given the circumstances of the in stant case, the

undersigned recommends that the Department place Mr. Centofanti on

probation and restrict his EMT and/or paramedic practice to his present work

with Labcorp until he undergoes an evaluation coordinated through the

Professionals Resource Net work (ÑPRNÒ) 13 or an evaluation by a PRN -

approved evaluator. 14 That restriction should remain in place until it is

determined by PRN or a PRN - approved evaluator that Mr. Centofanti is safe

13 PRN manages the DepartmentÔs impaired practitioner program for EMTs and paramedics.

See § 456.076(1)(d), Fla. Stat. (defining Ñimpaired practitioner programÒ as Ña program

establi shed by [the Department] by contract with one or more consultants to serve impaired

and potentially impaired practitioners for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of

the public.Ò); Fla. Admin. Code R. 64B31 - 10.001(2)(designating PRN as an ÑAp proved

Impaired Practitioner ProgramÒ).

14 Section 456.072(2)(c) provides that the Department can impose a Ñ[r]estriction of practice

or license, including, but not limited to, restricting the licensee from practicing in certain

settings, restricting t he licensee to work only under designated conditions or in certain

settings, restricting the licensee from performing or providing designated clinical and

administrative services, restricting the licensee from practicing more than a designated

number of ho urs, or any other restriction found to be necessary for the protection of the

public health, safety, and welfare.Ò Section 456.072(2) (f) provid es in pertinent part that the

Department may place the licensee Ñon probation for a period of time and subject to such

conditions as the board, or [the Department] when there is no board, may specify. Those

conditions may include, but are not limited to, requiring the licensee to undergo treatment,

attend continuing education courses, submit t o be reexamined, work un der the supervision of

another licensee, or satisfy the terms which are reasonably tailored to the violations found.Ò

to treat patients as an EMT and paramedic. The aforementioned restri ction,

rather than a suspension of Mr. CentofantiÔs certificates, is the least

restrictive means necessary to ensure the publicÔs protection.

32. Mr. Centofanti shall provide a copy of the evaluation report to the

Department and may then petition the Depa rtment to lift the restriction on

his EMT and paramedic certificates.

33. The Department should also reprimand Mr. CentofantiÔs EMT and

paramedic certifications.

34. In addition, Mr. Centofanti should be required to successfully

complete, within six mont hs following issuance of a final order: (a) three

hours of continuing education covering the law and rules governing EMTs

and paramedics in the State of Florida; and (b) three hours of continuing

education in the area of ethics. The aforementioned continui ng education

hours are to be in addition to the continuing education hours normally

required for renewal of EMT and paramedic certificates.

35. No additional disciplinary action, such as certificate suspension and/or

an administrative fine, are necessary to protect the public. See § 456.072

(providing that Ñ[i]n determining what action is appropriate, the board, or

[the Department] when there is no board, must first consider what sanctions

are necessary to protect the public or to compensate the patient.Ò ). Moreover,

because section 456.072(4) mandates that the Department Ñshall assess the

costs related to the investigation and prosecution of the case,Ò the imposition

of an administrative fine seems unduly punitive.

R ECOMMENDATION

Based on the foregoi ng Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is

R ECOMMENDED that the Department of Health enter a final order: (a) finding

that Mr. Centofanti violated sections 456.072(1)(c) and 456.072(1)(x);

(b) placing Mr. Centofanti on probation and restricting his EMT and/or

paramedic practice to his present work with Labcorp until he undergoes an

evaluation coordinated through PRN or an evaluation by a PRN - approved

evaluator; (c) maintaining Mr. Centofanti on probation and restricting his

EMT and/or paramedic pract ices until it is determined by PRN or a PRN -

approved evaluator that Mr. Centofanti is safe to treat patients as an EMT

and paramedic; (d) requiring Mr. Centofanti to provide a copy of the

evaluation report to the Department and then petition the Department to lift

the restriction on his EMT and paramedic certificates; (e) reprimanding

Mr. CentofantiÔs EMT and paramedic certifications; (f) requiring

Mr. Centofanti to successfully complete, within six months following issuance

of a final order , three hours of continuing education covering the law and

rules governing EMTs and paramedics in the State of Florida; and

(g) requiring Mr. Centofanti to complete three hours of continuing education

in the area of ethics.

D ONE A ND E NTERED this 31st day of January , 2022 , in Tallahassee, Leon

County, Florida.

S

G. W. C HISENHALL

Administrative Law Judge

1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3060

(850) 488 - 9675

www.doah.state.fl.us

Filed with the Clerk of the

Division of Administrative Hearings

this 31st day of January , 2022 .

C OPIES F URNISHED :

Zachary Bell, Esquire Ryan Robert Centofanti

Prosecution Services Unit 22 Palmyra Lane

Department of Health Palm Coast, Florida 32164

Bin C - 65

4052 Bald Cypress Way Joseph A. Ladapo, M.D. Ph.D.

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 3265 St ate Surgeon General

Department of Health

Wanda Range, Agency Clerk 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A - 00

Department of Health Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 1701

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bi n A - 02

Tallahassee, Florida 32399 - 1703

Louise St. Laurent, General Counsel

Department of Health

4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C - 65

Tallahassee, Florida 32399

N OTICE OF R IGHT T O S UBMIT E XCEPTIONS

All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within 15 days from

the date of this Recommended Order. Any exceptions to this Recommended

Order should be filed with the agency that will issue the Final Order in this

case.