Florida Veteran Health Heroes

T he Florida Depart- ment of Health is committed to serving members and vet- erans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. It is important that we recognize and hon- or their service to our nation. The Department is proud that over 1.5 million veterans call Florida home, and our continued goal is to make Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. Military veterans and their families face many challenges. The Department is committed to supporting our military veterans by offering several licensure support services to qualified military families. One service the Department offers is the Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) process, which provides expedited licensing for hon- orably discharged veterans and their spouses seeking licensure in all health care professions. Veterans and spouses who apply through the VALOR process receive a waiver of most li- censing fees. The Department offers additional armed forces licensure support, including opportunities for physicians to receive a temporary certificate to practice in areas of critical need, renewal exemptions for active duty service members holding a health care license in Florida, and temporary licensure for spouses of active duty service members who possess a valid license in another state, the District of Columbia, or any possession or territory of the United States. Through these programs, we are creat- ing a veteran-friendly regulatory environment that encourages veterans and their spouses to choose Florida for their health care practice af- ter their discharge from active duty. A TRIBUTE FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Florida Veteran Health Heroes 2