Mr. Pelaia provides a wide range of legal services for the University of South Florida Office of General Counsel with primary legal responsibility for USF Health.  He is certified as a Health Care Law Specialist by the Florida Bar.  He also is certified as a Professional Coder and a Professional Compliance Officer by the American Academy of Professional Coders. 

Mr. Pelaia has written numerous articles and is a frequent regional and national speaker on issues related to healthcare fraud and abuse, compliance, and coding.  In 2024, Mr. Pelaia was selected as a Fellow of the American Health Law Association (“AHLA”).  AHLA Fellows are recognized for their consistent demonstration of professional acumen as one of the top professionals in in the health law community and a high level of service to AHLA through governance support, mentorship, leadership, program planning, speaking, and writing.