Stephanie Colombini
ReporterI cover health care for WUSF and the statewide journalism collaborative Health News Florida. I’m passionate about highlighting community efforts to improve the quality of care in our state and make it more accessible to all Floridians. I’m also committed to holding those in power accountable when they fail to prioritize the health needs of the people they serve.
Since March 2020, I’ve covered all things COVID-19 and continue to work hard to ensure you have fact-based information to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. I’ve focused on amplifying the voices of people in our community affected by the pandemic, including doctors on the front lines, teachers juggling hybrid learning and residents who have survived the illness.
You can also hear me on WUSF as a fill-in news anchor and midday host on Sundays.
I joined the news team in 2016 and started out producing our weekly public affairs show Florida Matters. I went on to cover military and veterans affairs for the national reporting collaborative the American Homefront Project and continue to report on these topics through a health care lens.
I got my start in radio at WFUV while attending Fordham University in the Bronx. I also covered tri-state area news as a reporter for WCBS Newsradio 880. Some fun highlights include reporting from the field at Yankee Stadium and doing live coverage of the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
I’m forever a New Yorker, but have loved calling Tampa home these past five years. You might see me around town rocking out to live music, enjoying our delicious craft beer scene or paddling out on the water in my kayak. Shoutout to my two fur babies, Frank and Hazel.
Contact Stephanie at 813-974-8705, on Twitter @Steph_Colombini, or by email at scolombini@wusf.org.
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The narrow defeat of Amendment 4 means Florida's six-week abortion ban will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. Abortion funds say they need more money to help people travel out of state for care. -
More than half of Floridians voted to approve a proposal to allow abortions until fetal viability, but it wasn't enough to meet the 60% mark. That means the current six-week abortion ban remains in effect. -
State officials say Florida’s six-week abortion ban contains exceptions for women who experience complications like fetal abnormalities. But Thea Thompson says they aren't clear enough and put her health at risk. -
Disruptions and damage caused by hurricanes Milton and Helene exacerbated challenges teens in the program already faced. Safe and Sound Hillsborough is working with community partners to support them. -
A group of more than 850 doctors in Florida endorsed Amendment 4, which would allow abortions until fetal viability or when a health care provider deems necessary. Some other doctors joined Gov. Ron DeSantis to oppose the measure. -
National VA officials are commending staff in the area for keeping patients safe during the storms. Now the focus is on rescheduling the thousands of appointments that had to be cancelled. -
The federal Medicaid program offers disaster flexibilities that can make it easier for people to sign up for coverage and get treatments faster. A coalition of health and labor groups want the state to take full advantage. -
The county has hired contractors to help remove storm debris, but warn it's a huge effort. They're asking for patience — or for you to help clear some of it yourself. Learn what you should do with your storm debris. -
The storm spared the county from catastrophic storm surge, but high winds and heavy rain still caused widespread power outages, structural damage and flooding in some low-lying areas. -
Thousands of patients had to evacuate health facilities along the coasts ahead of the storm. But hospitals that remain open say they're prepared to withstand power outages and flooding.
