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 poll conducted by the University of North Florida shows constitutional measures on recreational marijuana and abortion rights appear to have the 60% threshold needed to pass. -
The Pinellas County Commission will vote Tuesday on a plan to build a new stadium for the Rays as part of one a redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District. -
As the trade deadline approaches, the Rays also dealt Opening Day starter Zach Eflin to the Orioles. Seattle gets Arozarena's bat and personality, both of which made him a fan favorite. -
Mayo Clinic-Florida in Jacksonville topped the state list in the annual tally by U.S. News and World Report. Meantime, Johns Hopkins All Children’s in St. Petersburg was named the state's best hospital for kids. -
Tampa General Hospital did not reveal the amount of the "major investment" provided to its foundation by John and Susan Sykes, whose names will go on the new center, part of the TGH Cancer Institute. -
The Lakewood Ranch resident and ESPN basketball analyst tells social media followers he underwent surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and that his doctor was pleased with the outcome. -
It's the end of an era for the Lightning, as Steven Stamkos signs a four-year free-agent contract with the Nashville Predators after spending 16 years and scoring more than 500 goals in a Tampa Bay uniform. -
The retail giant on April 30 cited an unsustainable business model when it announced it would close its 51 Walmart Health locations in five states. That included 23 stores in Florida. -
Environmental conditions for development are unusually conducive for late June as the system nears the Windward Islands. A second wave heading toward the southern Gulf is also under watch. -
The health system has been contemplating the move for months to remain competitive in Southwest Florida. The next step is finalizing a mission agreement with the Lee County Commission.
