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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The measure would seem a premptive strike at a growing industry. No food engineered to include vaccines are approved for use in the U.S., but research using mRNA technology goes back several years. -
The deal represents an increase over a previous settlement rejected by the Supreme Court because it protected members of the wealthy Sackler family from civil lawsuits even though they were not in bankruptcy. -
After restarting a state-halted search, the school will select from Adam Hasner, a former House majority leader with FAU ties; Michael Hartline, business dean at FSU; and John Volin, provost at the University of Maine. -
The Rays worked with Major League Baseball to craft a schedule that considers weather, traffic and other events in the area. Starting in June, weeknight games begin at 7:35 and Sunday games at 12:05 p.m. -
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.
