Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on Twitter @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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People who received written notification about the 2023 cyberattack may submit claims to recover documented losses or receive a lump sum of $125. Sunday is the deadline to file. -
South Florida has won back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2016-17. It was the longest FBS bowl or postseason game since overtime was established in 1996. -
TGH expands its Treasure Coast footprint through a five-year deal with the Palm Beach County Health Care District to help operate the 70-bed hospital in the rural Glades area. -
The GOP-led panel wrapped up a two-year investigation with criticism for lockdowns, vaccines, social distancing and masking mandates. -
CMS finally accepted Florida’s application for a waiver, but with the stipulation that the state provides 12 months of continuous coverage. But the state doesn't want to accept the agency's requirements. -
The $265 million deal with Community Health Systems includes ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte and ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda, which has been closed due to hurricane damage. -
Sun-Ray Cinema, known for its unique film selections and atmosphere, opened in 2011 in a 97-year-old building that once housed the first Florida theater to show "talkies." -
About 80,000 attendees are expected around the Tampa Convention Center for the creative competition of flying machines. City officials have transportation warnings and suggestions. -
Jeff Vinik says new owners Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz will maintain the team's winning legacy for "generations." Vinik will still run the show for three years and remain an active minority owner after that. -
With St. Petersburg just beginning the assessment of the hurricane-ravaged Tropicana Field, Rob Manfred is "hopeful" the team can play in the home market until the new stadium is built.
