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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Owner Stuart Sternberg pronounces the deal dead, citing events resulting from Hurricane Milton. Rays president Matt Silverman says the team is not for sale, but ownership remains committed to the Tampa area. -
The Bulls defeated Rice 69-62 in the conference title game, earning an automatic bid to the NCAAs. The Women's Final Four is April 4-6 at Amalie Arena. -
Juul will send $30 million to the newly created Vape Free Florida Fund to help in the enforcement laws to protect “children from harmful marketing and products.” -
In addition, outgoing DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris introduced the use of enhanced screening tools to assist in recognizing the potential for youth trafficking. -
Joe Molloy, a former Yankees executive, tells the Tampa Bay Times he is leading one of the efforts to buy the team while The Athletic reports Eddie DeBartolo Jr. is part of the group. -
The facility offers primary care, behavior health, labs and pharmacy services to reservists, guard members and veterans. In addition, the facility includes a nurse navigator skilled in the needs of veterans. -
Sara C. Sweeney replaces Roger Handberg atop the Middle District of Florida after the president calls for the terminations of remaining Biden-era U.S. attorneys. -
Law, 75, has served as president since August 2021, initially on an interim basis before being named to the role permanently in March 2022. She will remain until her replacement is found. -
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.
