August 2008

In This Issue:

• Message From The Secretary
• Message From The Executive Director
• Rule Updates
• eNewsroom
• On the Road to Better Business

---

Message From The Secretary

Dear Friend:

On July 31, Governor Charlie Crist appointed me to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Governor Crist understands the importance of creating a business friendly environment that also regards the safety and protection of the consumer as a top priority. I am eager to continue to serve the people of Florida and our business community and professionals in my new capacity as Secretary. I will draw upon my experience in the Department as the former Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation and Interim Secretary to continue to advance our mission to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

We've made tremendous progress over the past year, and I'm dedicated to maintaining this momentum. We know that serving you is the first step to providing great service to the people of Florida. That's why we've focused on changes that improve customer service, streamline processes, open communications with licensees and the public, and lead to better business practices.

One of the most crucial adjustments to business practices at the Department was the implementation of the Document Imaging System. The project is in its final phases, and it ultimately provides for a more streamlined and centralized application process that results in faster licensing and better service for you. I thank Governor Charlie Crist and the Legislature for providing $2.5 million to complete this project in Fiscal Year 2008/2009, which helps take care of businesses and professionals throughout Florida.

Our quest to improve customer service is never over. In an effort to reach our licensees who are located throughout the state, I'm taking our business on the road in the "On the Road to Better Business" tour this summer and early fall. This tour will provide the opportunity for you to meet with me and my staff to ask questions and provide input and suggestions. I will hold office hours for customers to come and meet with me at a Department office in their communities. Please look forward to more information to come.

I continue to uphold our mission to "License Efficiently. Regulate Fairly." I understand and value that licensees have unique insight into how we do business and ways we can build upon existing practices, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thank you for all that you do for the people and economy of our great state.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Drago
Secretary

Back To Top

---

Message From The Board Chair, Dr. Robert O’Neil

Since our last newsletter, the Board welcomed two new members.   Dr. JoAnn Helm and Dr. George Simmons were recently appointed by Governor Crist.  Dr. Helm comes back to the Board after a year’s absence.  I look forward to working with these dedicated individuals and know that they will be an asset to the Board.

As you know your license expired on May 31, 2008.  If you did not renew your license, it reverted into a delinquent status and a disciplinary case may be opened against you for practicing on a delinquent license.  To renew a delinquent license, you must pay the $265 renewal fee plus a $260 delinquency fee.  If your license lapsed into a null and void status you must reapply for licensure.  You can renew online at www.MyFloridalicense.com.  

Back To Top

---

Message from the Executive Director
Juanita Chastain

The Department will be conducting a continuing education random audit in the near future.   If you receive an audit letter, please respond timely and submit copies of your course completion certificates.  Failure to respond to the audit or to provide proof of continuing education may result in a disciplinary case against your license. 

If your schedule allows, I encourage you to attend a Board meeting.  Attendance at a Board of Veterinary Medicine meeting qualifies for up to five hours of continuing education.  Attendance is a good way to stay informed of current issues as well as to provide the Board valuable feedback.  Due to the diversity of practice, the Board welcomes the dialogue in an effort to help them better serve and regulate the profession.  The next Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2008 in St. Augustine, FL.  Please check the Board Web page for up-to-date meeting information.  We hope to see you there.

Back To Top

---

eNewsroom

Check out DBPR's eNewsroom, your source for important Department news and information. Here, you can watch public service announcements, read news releases, and subscribe to and flip through our publications.

Back To Top

---

On the Road to Better Business

Here at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, we understand how valuable your feedback is to our business practices. No one can provide better insight into how well the Department functions than the end-user. In an effort to bridge the communications gap and bring a piece of the Department right to the customers we serve, we are beginning the “On the Road to Better Business” tour.

During “On the Road to Better Business,” Secretary Charles W. Drago will hit the road and work from district offices across the state providing opportunities for you to meet with him. You will be able to share your experiences with the Department and offer suggestions on how to enhance business. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly, and we recognize that providing great service to our customers means supporting Florida’s economy. 

Please visit our Web site frequently to see when Secretary Drago will be in an area near you. 

Back To Top