biography

Ryan Wierenga represents a wide range of health care industry clients, including hospitals and health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacies, physician practice groups, individual physicians, and senior living facilities. Ryan is one of fewer than 140 attorneys in Florida to be board certified in Health Law by the Florida Bar.

Ryan helps his clients evaluate risk, structure compliant business transactions, and operate in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. He has experience with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic affiliations, and negotiating contracts. Additionally, Ryan advises clients on federal and state regulatory matters, such as anti-kickback, self-referral laws, fee splitting, certificates of need, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and compliance. Finally, Ryan regularly assists clients seeking state and federal licensure, curing deficiencies with such licensure, and change of ownerships.

  • Representative Transactions
    • Completed more than 10 licensure change of ownership filings for Assisted Living Facilities in Florida
    • Completed a licensure change of ownership for a Personal Care Home in Georgia
    • Advises senior living facilities on day-to-day operation and licensure matters
    • Represented a 421-bed independent not-for-profit hospital in its long-term lease and asset sale to a national health system
    • Represented a 112-bed independent not-for-profit hospital in its long-term lease and asset sale to a regional health system
    • Advised not-for-profit hospital on joint venture arrangements with for-profit entities
    • Represented an ambulatory surgery center and its owners in a sale to a national operator
    • Represented individual physicians in contract negotiations with employers
    • Successfully procured Beverage and Alcohol Licenses in Florida
    • Drafted Personal Services Agreements, Co-Management Agreements, Policies and Procedures for Providers, and Employment Agreements
  • Presentations
    • Speaker, “It’s All About Leverage and Risk Tolerance: Reboot of Top 10 Issues in Health-Care Contracting,” American Academy of Audiology 2019 Annual Conference, Columbus, OH (March 29, 2019)
    • Co-Presenter, “Risk Management and Compliance Programs in the Office Setting, ” Florida Society of Health Care Risk Management Annual Meeting Pre-Conference Workshop, Tampa, FL (August 15, 2018)
  • Publications
    • 04.26.2016 -“2016 Stark Law Updates,” Expect Focus Vol. I (Winter 2016).
    • 03.25.2015 – Co-Author, “Meet the ACA’s Employer Mandate,” Expect Focus, Vol. I (Winter 2015).
    • 07.08.2014 – Co-author, “Congress Sends Mixed Messages to Health Care Providers,” Expect Focus, Vol. II (Spring 2014).
  • Professional Recognition

    Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2015-2017)

  • Professional and Civic Activities
    • The American Health Lawyers Association
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association – “Wills for Heroes” program
    • John Germany Read to Dream Program

Naples

Credentials

Admissions

Florida

Education

University of Florida, JD, 2010
University of Florida, 2007

Prior Law Firm Experience

Carlton Fields

Practice Areas