Rachel Zimmerman

Former Staff

Rachel Zimmerman previously reported on health and the intersection of health and business for WBUR. She is working on a memoir about rebuilding her family after her husband’s suicide.

Recently published

Love alone can’t prevent suicide

A pervasive misunderstanding about suicide finds its way into a new HBO documentary about Adrienne Shelly, who wrote "Waitress" and was murdered in 2006.

I Know The Devastation Suicide Leaves Behind. I Wish I Didn’t

Like Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, my husband died by suicide, leaving our daughters and loving family struggling, wondering why.

From A Robotic Cat To Virtual Reality: How Tech Is Assisting Seniors And Caregivers

As the U.S. population ages, this new technology is emerging to augment the work of human caregivers, and also improve seniors' quality of life.

Demand For Senior Home Care Grows, But Its Pay Remains Low

"If nothing is done to improve these jobs," MIT economist Paul Osterman says, "by the year 2040, there'll be a shortage of at least 350,000 paid caregivers."

Biogen's Push For Newborn Screening Aims To Boost Reach Of Drug For Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Cambridge-based Biogen, maker of the only therapy available to treat spinal muscular atrophy, a rare but often fatal disease, says testing newborns for the condition is crucial. But getting infants...

Local Coverage

06:20Jun 29, 2017

The PULSE event Tuesday night in Boston (Rachel Zimmerman/WBUR)

Innovation Boost: 3 Digital Health Startups Win Cash To Accelerate Business

The three startups -- one to help detect concussions, another to streamline emergency medicine, and a third to improve the mental health of seniors -- were awarded a total of...

Local Coverage

Jun 14, 2017

With Latest Acquisition, Steward Set To Become Largest U.S. For-Profit Hospital Operator

If the almost $2 billion deal is approved by regulators, Steward would run 36 hospitals throughout 10 states.

Local Coverage

May 19, 2017

Dr. Mark Zhang and MIT engineer Suelin Chen present their app Cake at the Digital Health Innovation Showcase at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care in Wellesley. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

From Dying Wishes To Support For Substance Users: How 5 Health Startups Tackle Tough Problems

Bostonomix is following several PULSE startups as they try to reach their goals, fine-tune products and figure out the best path toward commercialization.

Local Coverage

04:26Apr 14, 2017

New WPI Center Aims To Accelerate Smart Medical Device Production

PracticePoint will include four testing suites designed to mimic different health care environments, which WPI hopes will allow clinical researchers, engineers and manufacturers to more easily collaborate.

Local Coverage

Apr 13, 2017

Blanca Gutierrez receives some celery from one of the volunteers at Charles River Community Health's free produce market in Brighton -- a partnership between the health center and the food bank. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Food As Medicine: Rethinking Hunger Relief As Health Care

As more and more people understand the link between fresh food and health benefits, food banks and others tackling food insecurity have made dramatic changes.

Local Coverage

06:05Mar 23, 2017

Rachel Zimmerman

Recently published

Love alone can’t prevent suicide

Cognoscenti

I Know The Devastation Suicide Leaves Behind. I Wish I Didn’t

Cognoscenti

From A Robotic Cat To Virtual Reality: How Tech Is Assisting Seniors And Caregivers

Local Coverage

Demand For Senior Home Care Grows, But Its Pay Remains Low

Local Coverage

Biogen's Push For Newborn Screening Aims To Boost Reach Of Drug For Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Local Coverage

Innovation Boost: 3 Digital Health Startups Win Cash To Accelerate Business

Local Coverage

With Latest Acquisition, Steward Set To Become Largest U.S. For-Profit Hospital Operator

Local Coverage

From Dying Wishes To Support For Substance Users: How 5 Health Startups Tackle Tough Problems

Local Coverage

New WPI Center Aims To Accelerate Smart Medical Device Production

Local Coverage

Food As Medicine: Rethinking Hunger Relief As Health Care

Local Coverage