Florida Psychiatrist Mark DeLuca Reprimanded, Fined for Medical Malpractice

May 20, 2026

On May 12, 2026, the Florida Department of Health (DoH) issued a Final Order reprimanding psychiatrist Mark Deluca for medical malpractice based on his having sent a female patient “inappropriate text messages.” The DoH also fined Deluca $10,000 and ordered him to pay $25,000—the DoH’s costs for investigation and prosecution.

According to the DoH’s Second Amended Administrative Complaint against Deluca, dated January 12, 2026:

“At all times material to this Complaint, Deluca practiced at Palm Beach Psychiatry, in Juno Beach and West Palm Beach, Florida.

“From in or around May 2022, through March 2023 ("the treatment period"), Patient DB ("DB"), a then 30-year-old female, treated with Deluca.

“At all times material to this Complaint, Deluca was in a physician-patient relationship with DB.

“During her treatment period, DB initially met with Deluca once a week, and later once every two weeks.

“On multiple occasions during the treatment period, Deluca sent inappropriate text messages to DB.

“Based on the foregoing, Deluca violated section 458.3311)(t) of Florida Statutes, by committing medical malpractice.”

A previously-issued Administrative Complaint, dated August 20, 2024, contained similar data to the Second Amended Complaint but charged him with "engaging or attempting to engage in sexual misconduct."

Specifically, the earlier Complaint stated:

“On one or more occasions during DB’s treatment period, Deluca sent text messages to DB which were sexual in nature.

“At all times material to the DoH’s complaint, Deluca was in a physician-patient relationship with DB.

“Deluca used his professional relationship with DB to engage or attempt to engage DB in, or to induce or attempt to induce DB to engage in, verbal or physical sexual activity outside the scope of Deluca’s professional practice as a physician by sending DB sexual text messages on one or more occasions during the physician-patient relationship.”

However, the DoH's Final Order did not reprimand him for these charges but rather for the charges as contained in Second Amended Administrative Complaint. 

In addition to the reprimand, fine, and reimbursement of the DoH's investigative costs, the Final Order imposes additional conditions, restrictions, and requirements, including: 

• Successful completion of 24 hours of continuing education in maintaining professional boundaries 

• Successful completion of evaluations in the areas of boundaries, unprofessional conduct, and professional standards 

• Communication with patients to be restricted solely to a professional communications system and not conducted through his personal text or email accounts. 

Source: Final Order, Department of Health v. Mark C. Deluca, M.D., lic. no. ME0098849, Case Number 2023-28549, State of Florida Department of Health, May 12, 2026.