08/12/2026
We join many in honoring the life and work of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, who died August 8 at the age of 87.
Dr. Remen was not directly associated with S4OM | S4OE, but her voice helped shape the broader understanding of whole-person care in which our own work has grown. For decades, she challenged healthcare professionals to look beyond diagnosis and treatmentâto listen, to recognize the dignity of the person in front of them, and to understand that healing and curing are not always the same thing.
Her influence also reached into oncology massage education. Her writing has been used in oncology massage training to explore the difference between trying to âfixâ another person and being present in service to themâan important distinction for those of us who work with people affected by cancer.
For those in our community who would like to know her work, we especially recommend:
Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal â reflections drawn from her experiences as a physician, teacher, patient, and listener.
My Grandfatherâs Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging â stories about service, relationship, kindness, and what it means to accompany one another through life.
And for a shorter introduction, her essay âIn the Service of Lifeâ is particularly relevant to those working in oncology massage, oncology esthetics, and supportive cancer care.
We honor Dr. Remen for a life spent broadening our understanding of what it means to care for another human being, and for the wisdom she leaves for those who continue that work.
One of Commonwealâs most beloved voices died Saturday, August 8. Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D. co-founded Commonwealâs Cancer Help Program 40 years ago, and remained as Medical Director until her death. Her Healerâs Art program has reshaped how generations of physicians understand their calling. Her best-selling books reflect her storytelling abilityâperhaps inherited from her much-loved rabbi grandfatherâwith her ability to listen to patients, students, and other humans navigating their journey.
Michael Lerner reflects: âRachel had a sense of humor. She was a âworld class shopperâ and dressed beautifully from vintage and used clothing stores. She spoke of âshopping as a spiritual practice.â She loved detective novels. She was a fiercely devoted friend.
âRachel wrote and spoke in words accessible to everyone, yet beneath the simple language was a deep access to mystery honed by living with serious illness for almost 70 of her 87 years.
âWe have lost a great soul. But she is not gone. She lives with us in the mystery. She wants each of us to remember and honor our dignity as human beings in the full sense. As she frequently said, âPerhaps the purpose of life is to grow in wisdom and learn to love better.ââ
Please join us in honoring Rachel's memory by following the linktree in bio: Share your thoughts and memories on Rachel's legacy page, explore a self-paced course of Rachel's New School conversations, register for her celebration of life on October 3, or donate to a fund in her honor. Thank you for joining with us in this time of grief and gratitude.
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Photo: Rachel Naomi Remen with Rabbi Irwin Keller
