This Florida Doctor’s Office Gave Its Own Patients Hepatitis C

A Florida doctor named Lily J. Voepel is in hot water after some of her patients contracted the dangerous bloodborne infection hepatitis C while under her care. A recent investigation by the Florida Department of Health uncovered numerous unsafe practices at Voepel’s office that may have contributed to these cases.

At least three patients caught hepatitis C through treatments they received at Voepel’s office in Melbourne, Florida, according to an administrative complaint filed against the doctor by the health department. The department’s subsequent investigation found “several deficiencies in the facility’s hygiene and sterilization procedures†at the office. The office’s license has been temporarily suspended, and Voepel is on the hook for a hefty fine.

“Unsafe infection control practicesâ€

The health department first notified the public about the potential hepatitis C exposure at Voepel’s office earlier this April, warning patients about “unsafe infection control practices†that might have occurred during their time there. People who visited the office between June 2023 and March 2025 were advised to get testing for the bloodborne viral disease as soon as possible.

Hepatitis C is an often chronic, potentially life-shortening infection. It can be transmitted through sex or improperly sterilized and/or shared needles. Though most people won’t experience any symptoms early on, the virus can wreak havoc on the liver over time. Without treatment, chronic infections can cause cirrhosis and significantly raise the risk of liver cancer. Thankfully, the once lifelong infection is now almost always curable with antiviral therapy.

In the department’s complaint against Voepel, they laid out multiple health code and other violations discovered during an inspection of Voepel’s office conducted this past March.

Among other things, inspectors found expired drugs and defibrillator pads, out-of-date manuals, and no risk management program in place. The office also failed to have adequate sterilization equipment, such as a handwashing station that could sterilize surgeons’ hands before a procedure. And the office was not properly registered as a pain-management clinic with the health department, yet it advertised itself as such.

A hefty punishment

As a result of the department’s investigation, Voepel agreed to having her office’s surgery registration license suspended for six months, starting October 15, along with having to pay a $2,000 fine. She will also have to pay $18,000 to reimburse the department’s costs in pursuing and investigating the case.

The physician will additionally have to undergo several continuing education courses on infection control, risk management, and ethics. And she will have to provide a written plan to the health department on how her office has changed to comply with the rules moving forward.