Rick Mayer
Health News FloridaI’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.
-
Ownership of the five hospitals were transferred to Steward's landlord and are being run by an interim manager. The court also approved Orlando Health's purchase of three Steward hospitals in the Space Coast region. -
Three sentinel chickens recently tested positive for West Nile virus in the county. While mosquitoes tend to be a year-round problem in Florida, heavy rains with flooding tend to increase their presence. -
The cannabis company donates another $7.5 million to Smart and Safe Florida, while a Vote No on 3 commercial claims the measure was developed to create a “monopoly” for marijuana corporations. -
Bankrupt Steward Health announces a deal that allows for the transfer of its hospitals in several states to landlord Medical Properties Trust, which would operate the facilities while seeking new owners. -
TGH's contribution and the new affiliation agreement between the longtime partners are slated to improve recruitment, increase integration and advance research. -
Judge Christopher Lopez’s order acknowledges that Orlando Health is a qualified bidder and its $439 million offer is a qualified first bid for the medical centers in Brevard and Indian River counties. -
The donation from the Pass It on to Kids Foundation will advance groundbreaking work to eradicate neuroblastoma and ovarian cancers. This gift will also support the Nemours' music therapy program. -
The agreement includes Rockledge Regional Medical Center and Melbourne Regional Medical Center, both in Brevard County, and Sebastian River Medical Center in Indian River County.
-
As the fate of the Florida hospitals waits for a second round, Steward says it has a deal to sell its physicians group and reportedly has qualified offers for its Massachusetts hospitals. -
OneBlood has returned to normal course of business for distribution of blood products to hospitals following last month's ransomware attack.