Seven Things To Know When You Receive A Notice Of Investigation From The Department Of Health

Resources and Documents

Florida State Documents and Information:

Florida Department of Health (DOH) Documents

Healthcare Provider Regulatory Process Flowchart (click to review)
This flowchart, flow diagram, disciplinary guideline, or algorithm was originally published by the Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) Division of the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in the early 2000s to better explain and show the processing of disciplinary complaints made against licensed health professionals in the State of Florida. It does a great job of showing the process followed, except that it does not contain any information on how long each step of the process can take, and some steps can take months or even years. The chart is a summary of the process that is required by state statutes, including the Florida Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Chapter 120, Florida Statutes. It is a useful guide to use in locating where your case is in the process.

Florida Emergency Suspension of the License of Alexis Backer Lawler, R.N., January 28, 2026 (click to review)
(Florida Department of Health vs. Alexis Backer Lawler, R.N., D.O.H. Case No 2026- 09960, entered January 28, 2026)
This is an Emergency Suspension Order issued by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) against a registered nurse, immediately suspending the individual’s nursing license due to allegations of unprofessional conduct in retaliation for her exercising her First Amendment right to make statements critical of the present administration on January 22, 2026. The order details findings related to inappropriate and offensive social media activity, including statements that allegedly raised concerns about patient safety, professional judgment, and the nurse’s ability to provide competent care. The document outlines the DOH’s factual findings, legal conclusions, and authority under Florida law to take emergency action to protect public health and safety. It also includes notice of the nurse’s right to judicial review and the initiation of formal disciplinary proceedings.

Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)

Sample of AHCA Final Order, Venice HMA Hospital v. AHCA/Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Case No. 17-3108RX (click to review)
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Federal Documents and Information:

Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

Sample of a Health Care subpoena issued from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2014 (click to review)
This is just jibberish now so that you can see what the formatting of this page will look like. This will be where you explain what this particular document is that we have uploaded on our website as a reference document. This is all absolute non-sense until you tell me what you actually write when the page is done. Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. Writing placeholder text is much more fun than actually using your brain to write real words and sentences. Hopefully, I don’t lose my mind before then working on this project. Just kidding, I love it so much. It’s the best thing ever.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Sample DOJ Memorandum: Limiting Use of Agency Guidance Documents In Affirmative Civil Enforcement Cases, January 25, 2018 (click to review)
This is just jibberish now so that you can see what the formatting of this page will look like. This will be where you explain what this particular document is that we have uploaded on our website as a reference document. This is all absolute non-sense until you tell me what you actually write when the page is done. Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. Writing placeholder text is much more fun than actually using your brain to write real words and sentences. Jibberish is much easier than writing real blogs. Speaking of blogs, when are you going to review mine, George? Hopefully, I don’t lose my mind before then working on this project, Just kidding, I love it so much. It’s the best thing ever.

Veterans Administration (VA)

Audit of Veteran Health Administration’s (VHA’s) Consolidated Patient Account Center (CPAC) Controls To Prevent Improper Billings for Service-Connected Conditions, August 9, 2017 (click to review)

(Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Report No. 16-00589-264, August 9, 2017)

This is just jibberish now so that you can see what the formatting of this page will look like. This will be where you explain what this particular document is that we have uploaded on our website as a reference document. This is all absolute non-sense until you tell me what you actually write when the page is done. Bla bla bla bla bla bla bla bla. Writing placeholder text is much more fun than actually using your brain to write real words and sentences. Jibberish is much easier than writing real blogs. Speaking of blogs, when are you going to review mine, George? Hopefully, I don’t lose my mind before then working on this project. Just kidding, I love it so much. It’s the best thing ever.

Department of Defense (DOD)/Defense Health Agency (DHA)

Couldn’t Find Document For an Example, This is a Placeholder (click to review)

Private Organizations:

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Secretariat & the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBOME)

USMLE CIR Personal Statement Submission Guidelines, February 2026 (click to review)
This document outlines the submission requirements for a personal statement to the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Committee for Individualized Review (CIR). While submission is optional, the guidelines specify that any personal statement must be directly relevant to the allegations, limited to 20 pages, and submitted as a single PDF document by the designated deadline. The document also emphasizes that all materials provided will be reviewed and verified for authenticity by the USMLE. Adhering to these formatting, content, and submission requirements is essential to ensure that the CIR considers the statement during its review process.

The Joint Commission

Behaviors That Undermine a Culture of Safety (click to review)
Published for Joint Commission accredited organizations and interested health care professionals, Sentinel Event Alert identifies specific types of sentinel events, describes their common underlying causes, and suggests steps to prevent occurrences in the future.
(Note: This is a complimentary publication of The Joint Commission, Sentinel Event Alert Issue 40, July 9, 2008. Updated: June 18. 2021)

Publications By Our Attorneys:

Publications by Lance O. Leider, LL.M., J.D.

Follow the Steps or Pay the Price
(Note: This article was originally published in Facts & Findings, March/April 2015) by Lance O. Leider, LL.M., J.D.

Florida Bar Health Law Section Spotlights
(Note: This was originally published by The Health Law Section of The Florida Bar, February 2024)

Publications by Amanda I. Forbes, J.D.

Autism and Access to Healthcare
(Note: This article was originally published in the Mitchell Hamline Law Journal of Public Policy and Practice’s 45th volume) by Amanda I. Forbes, J.D.

Publications by Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D.

Telehealth in Respiratory Care
(Note: This article was originally published in Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine) by Michael L. Smith, R.R.T., J.D.

Healthcare Compliance: An Overview of the Basics for Organizations and Providers