About
Ryan Wierenga is a partner in the Healthcare Group at Pierson Ferdinand. His practice is primarily focused on the senior living industry—specifically independent and assisted living communities nationwide. Ryan represents the capital partners, REITs, and management companies that invest in and operate these facilities, guiding them through the licensing, regulatory, and compliance demands of a rapidly growing and evolving sector. He is board certified in Health Law by the Florida Bar.
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Ryan counsels clients on the full lifecycle of senior living operations—from initial licensure and regulatory approvals through ongoing compliance and change of ownership filings. His regulatory practice spans local health licenses, certificates of need, Medicaid reimbursement, anti-kickback and self-referral laws, and fee-splitting regulations. Clients rely on Ryan to identify and manage risk in a regulatory environment that is constantly shifting, and to resolve licensure deficiencies quickly when they arise. Ryan also handles Florida liquor licensing for senior living communities, helping operators navigate the specific permitting requirements that come with offering these amenities to residents.
Ryan also brings significant transactional experience to his practice, advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity roll-ups, joint ventures, and strategic affiliations in broader healthcare sectors including hospitals, health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practice groups.
Practices
Healthcare
Admissions
Florida
Education
University of Florida, JD, 2010
University of Florida, 2007
Professional Recognition
Included in the 2025 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Health Care Law
Board Certified in Health Law by the Florida Bar
Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars
Professional and Civic Activities
The American Health Lawyers Association
Hillsborough County Bar Association – “Wills for Heroes” program
John Germany Read to Dream Program
Experience
FisherBroyles, LLP
Carlton Fields
Representative Transactions
Healthcare licensing counsel for operators and managers of Assisted Living Facilities in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania
Transaction counsel for acquisitions by a Dental Management Organization
Transaction counsel for acquisitions by a multi-state OBGYN practice
Transaction counsel for acquisitions by a multi-state physical therapy group
Transaction counsel for acquisitions by a multi-state platform specializing in ambulatory surgery centers
Licensing counsel for senior living facilities and healthcare entities seeking licenses with the Department of Health, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Agency for Healthcare Administration
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
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)