Mary C. Mayhew joined the Florida Hospital Association in October 2020 as President. During her tenure, Mayhew has received several notable recognitions, including being named to the Florida Politics 2022 Influence 150, Florida Trend’s 2022 Florida 500, and placing #3 in The Florida Health Care Power 100 and #24 in The Florida Power 100 by City & State Florida.
Prior to her role at FHA, Mayhew served as Secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration. In this position, she played a crucial role in Florida’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayhew also led initiatives to improve healthcare outcomes for Medicaid enrollees and promote integrated care coordination.
Before joining AHCA, Mayhew worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services. There, she oversaw the $375 billion Medicaid program. Her state-level experience includes more than six years as the commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, where she advanced comprehensive health homes, Medicaid Accountable Community Organizations, and integrated behavioral health initiatives.
In the private sector, Mayhew spent 11 years with the Maine Hospital Association as vice president of government relations, advocating for policies supporting hospitals and their communities. She was also a partner in the public affairs firm Hawkes & Mayhew in Augusta, Maine, and managed state government relations for Equifax Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mayhew’s career in public service began early. At 17, she moved to Washington, D.C. to become a Congressional page and finish high school. After college, she served as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C. for Arkansas Representative William Alexander. Mayhew is a native of Pittsfield, Maine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas.
Throughout her career, Mayhew has demonstrated a strong commitment to healthcare policy and administration, with a particular focus on Medicaid and hospital advocacy at both state and federal levels.