Jamie Zimmerman, who was part of ABC News’ medical unit, drowned while on vacation in Hawaii.
ABC News president James Goldston sent a note to staffers this morning reporting that Zimmerman, 31, lost her footing while trying to cross a river on Monday and was swept out to sea. In a tribute on Facebook, her mother, Jordan Zimmerman, wrote, “Lifeguards and paramedics rushed to rescue Jamie, but were not able to resuscitate her.”
Tributes are pouring in from ABC News colleagues about Zimmerman who, beyond working for the medical unit, offered wellness and meditation sessions for ABC News staffers.
“I am so proud of my Jamie Jo and life will never be the same without her,” her mother wrote. “She helped make me a better woman and the world a better place. I am honored to be her mother and only wish she had additional time here to do even more, but that wasn’t God’s plan.”
Her final Facebook post, added Monday, Jamie included this picture taken in Kauai.
Zimmerman’s background was in meditation medicine. In this video she talks about the importance of meditation at work. “I am passionate about living with purpose,” she said. “I have the privilege of lecturing about living your life with purpose.”
More from her mother:
In her short 31 years Jamie traveled the globe representing America as a caring mindfulness ambassador. Her accomplishments included helping Congolese refugees in Zambia, volunteering in a cash-strapped hospital in India, building classrooms in Uganda, and working with indigenous people on the Amazon in Peru. Jamie served as a United Nations Global Health representative in Haiti and she even taught meditation at the U.S. Capitol.
I hope my baby girl’s life will inspire you to take action to make our world better. It can be as little as sharing a smile or kind word or as big as your imagination and effort will allow. This is Jamie’s legacy. When you act upon this challenge, Jamie’s smile will light up the heavens. I am sure of it!