Florida Veteran Health Heroes

We are thankful for all who serve the people of Florida and the United States. A TRIBUTE FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH T he Florida Department of Health (Department) is committed to serving members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families. 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 honorably 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 licensing 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 creating a veteran-friendly regulatory environment that encourages veterans and their spouses to choose Florida for their health care practice after their discharge from active duty. 2021 Florida Veteran Health Heroes 2