Herbert P. Weiss papers (MSS-0149)

Biographical/Historical Note

Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1954, journalist and author Herbert “Herb” P. Weiss graduated from the University of Texas in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration in Social Work. He received his Master of Arts in Studies in Aging in 1977 and a Specialist Certificate in Aging in 1979 from North Texas State University (now called the University of North Texas). Weiss also completed 24 hours of doctoral courses in public policy administration at the University of Maryland’s Baltimore County Campus from 1980-1985.

Weiss began to establish himself as a journalist in 1980 and continued to write and contribute to various publications covering aging, healthcare, and other medical issues for over 45 years. He oversaw editorial content for seven nationally published trade publications, newsletters and newspapers. These include founding editor of Aging Network News (1985-1988); editor of three medical-related national newsletters on CPT, CPR coding, as well as Medicare reimbursement issues for physicians (1988-1999); editor of Senior Law Report and Marketing to Seniors (1990-1991); managing editor of Brown University LTQ Quality Letter (1993); the Blackstone Valley beat for the Providence Journal (1994); and founding editor of Senior Living, now called Prime Time (1997-1998).

From 1983 to 2000, Weiss served as a member of the editorial board for five national publications covering nursing home and aging issues, including Contemporary Long Term Care (1993-1990), The Journal of Long Term Administrators (1985-1995), Aging Network News (1991-1993), McKnight’s TLC News (1992-2000), and Brown University Long-Term Quality Letter (1993).

Additionally, Weiss has published Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly (2016), followed by Taking Charge: Volume 2 More Stories on Aging Boldly (2021). The third sequel, Taking Charge: Volume 3 Lots More Stories on Aging Boldly, was published in 2025. These volumes compile a collection of his commentaries published in Blackstone Valley Call & Times and RINewsToday.