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.
-
Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., Winn-Dixie’s parent company, which was acquired by Aldi in March 2024, announced Friday that a consortium of private investors acquired the company. -
The foreign nationals, both living in Florida, face charges of conspiracy and providing false information in registering to vote with the Pinellas Supervisor of Elections. -
Tampa Bay is putting together the pieces to make Steinbrenner Field its 2025 home. That includes fan giveaways, beginning with a schedule magnet on Opening Day, March 28, against Colorado. -
During her emotional acceptance speech, the Blake High alum thanked her mother and sobriety and invited rap labels to check out the hip-hop talent and culture in Tampa. -
Commissioners voted to bring an ordinance on removing fluoride from the water supply at a later date. The county must also consider repairing the current fluoridation system. -
The state's spring training sites come alive once again. And Rays fans get a brief respite from stadium talk while the team preps for an entire season played outdoors in Tampa. -
The six-story, 100-bed facility is slated for an undeveloped 32-acre parcel on North Sumter Boulevard near Interstate 75. The board also plans to build another hospital in nearby Wellen Park. -
A federal judge temporarily blocked the order, but not before university researchers were told to operate as usual until updates are received from funding agencies. -
The gift from Joey and Jennifer Redner, both longtime USF followers, will be split between the stadium and craft beer course. For Joey Redner, it's a full-circle investment after selling Cigar City Brewing in 2016. -
The topic is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. If commissioners vote to follow the guidance of Florida's surgeon general, Manatee would join more than a dozen other local governments to end the practice.
