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Editor’s Note: Please read the update to this article here which contains the official report from the Surgeon General.

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Melbourne, FL – March 14, 2025 – If you or a loved one has been a patient of Dr. Lily J. Voepel, MD, an interventional pain management doctor in Melbourne, Florida, within the last two years, you may have been exposed to Hepatitis C. Authorities have placed an emergency restriction on Dr. Voepel’s medical license due to this serious health risk, yet she continues to see patients. The Health Department is offering free testing to all affected patients, and immediate action is critical to safeguard your health.

Emergency Restriction on Dr. Voepel’s License

On March 12, 2025, an Emergency Restriction Order was issued for Dr. Lily J. Voepel’s medical license (License No. ME85032), as confirmed by the medical licensing authorities. This restriction signals a serious concern about her practice. Despite this, her license remains active, and she is still accepting appointments at her office located at 4015 N. Harbor City Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32935. This ongoing activity heightens the urgency for patients to take protective measures.

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Potential Hepatitis C Exposure

According to patients that have been contacted by the Health Department, they were identified as a potential risk of Hepatitis C exposure linked to Dr. Voepel’s practice. Hepatitis C is a viral infection spread by infected blood contact that can severely damage the liver if not detected and treated early. It can be life threatening. All patients who have visited Dr. Voepel in the last two years are urged to get tested immediately. Information patients have received from the Health Department indicate that the situation may affect a large number of individuals, with one source describing it as “not even the tip of the iceberg.” For example, a patient who saw Dr. Voepel just two days ago is still awaiting test results, while another patient’s mother, tested after a visit over a year ago, fortunately received a negative result. The risk is real and ongoing. Even if tested negative, patients are urged to get re-tested in 6 months as Hep C can have an incubation period up to that period of time. Read more about it here.

Free Testing at the Health Department

To address this crisis, the Health Department is providing free Hepatitis C testing to all patients of Dr. Voepel from the past two years. Testing is available at:

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• 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
  Viera, FL 32940

Get your questions answered about testing by contacting the Viera Health Department directly at 321-639-5800. Testing is quick, free, and essential—even if you feel healthy, as Hepatitis C can be silent in its early stages. The Health Department staff have been praised as “amazing” by patients, ensuring you’ll receive supportive care during this process.

Dr. Voepel Still Seeing Patients

Alarmingly, Dr. Voepel continues to see patients despite the emergency restriction on her license. Her profile on medical directories like MD.com still offers a “Call for an Appointment” option, and recent patient visits confirm she remains active in her practice. This persistence poses a continued risk to unsuspecting patients, making it vital to spread awareness and encourage immediate testing.

What You Need to Do Now

If you’ve been a patient of Dr. Voepel since March 2023, take these steps immediately:

1. Get Tested: Visit the Melbourne Health Department for free Hepatitis C testing as soon as possible.
2. Avoid Further Appointments: Do not schedule or attend any appointments with Dr. Voepel until this situation is fully resolved.
3. Spread the Word: Inform others who may have seen Dr. Voepel about this health alert and the need for testing.

The Health Department is working tirelessly to manage this situation, testing numerous patients and coordinating a response. Your health is their priority, and free testing is a crucial resource to protect you and your loved ones.

This is an urgent and evolving health crisis. If you’ve seen Dr. Lily J. Voepel in the last two years, do not delay—get tested today. Free testing is available at the Melbourne Health Department, and it could save your life. Dr. Voepel’s continued practice despite her restricted license highlights the need for swift action. Contact the Health Department now for more information or to schedule your test.

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