About Us

Ginny and Bill Thurston’s beautiful forty-year-old, eight acre garden property in Harvard was very well-known in town and in gardening circles for its beauty and unusual configuration. Ginny found deep pleasure in what she called “my little garden." When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, she spent even more time in the garden as a place of respite from the rigors of treatment. Ginny explored and practiced several forms of complementary therapies to aid in her healing, and after learning to meditate, she and Bill added a lovely small meditation garden to the property. In addition, she joined her community hospital breast cancer support group founded and facilitated by Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, a psychotherapist who had also experienced breast cancer.

Sadly, Ginny died in 1999. Bill was strongly motivated to help others with breast cancer in some way. Realizing the garden had been such solace for Ginny, he approached Elizabeth (Betsy) to see if she had some ideas about what else would help. She envisioned a center with services that would include three components: complementary therapies, psychosocial support, and the healing environment of nature. They both felt strongly that women should not have cost of services be a factor. Bill decided to renovate a small cottage on the property to house the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, whose mission is “To provide a healing environment to those experiencing breast cancer, with no financial barriers to treatment.” 

Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, Founder. Betsy served as the Healing Garden's inaugural Executive Director and under her leadership the Garden flourished, becoming what it is today- a sanctuary for serenity and support; an environment for restoration and healing; and a center for camaraderie and compassion. In 2009, after many years of dedication, Betsy returned to private practice in Concord, MA. Today, Betsy's founding principles of quality care and sensitivity remain central to the Healing Garden and ensure a deep, continued commitment to the mission. 

Carole Nathan, Executive Director. Carole joined the Healing Garden in 2009. She brings significant leadership experience focused on improving a patient’s health and well being.  She previously served as the Executive Director of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation in Brookline, MA, and earned her MBA from Simmons School of Management in 2005. Her demonstrated passion for healing, coupled with her management skills are an excellent fit for the Garden’s mission and future.


Julie Seavy, Director of Integrative Care, R.N.(HNC), MTS. Julie joined the Garden in 2004. She brings over 20 years of experience as a nurse with a background in critical care, community health, and hospice. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. A board certified holistic nurse, Julie has special interests in spirituality, healing, and the arts. She leads retreats for clients and health care providers in addition to providing support to a variety of groups at the Healing Garden. Julie also completed the CancerGuide Training of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine of Georgetown University.

Lana Heino Roman, Care Coordinator, worked in hospital administrative services for many years. Lana joined the Healing Garden when our doors first opened in 2001. A breast cancer survivor, Lana is a vital presence to the Garden and she coordinates the many services offered to our clients.


 

Janet Ganson, Business Manger. 

Our Boards

Board of Directors

  • Jay Bearfield
  • Terry Dewitt
  • Patti Foye
  • Sarah Hindle,  
  • Margaret Koch, Clerk
  • Jeri Ravis 
  • Pamela Sawyer, Chair 
  • Ruth Silman

Advisory Board

  • Susan Bauer-Wu, DNSc, RN, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
  • Jon S. Dubois, MD, Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology, P.C., Concord
  • Margaret M. Duggan, MD, FACS, Director, The Faulkner Breast Centre, Boston
  • Karleen Habin, Gillette Center, MGH, Boston, MA
  • Kathleen A. Mayzel, MD, FACS, Director Emeritus, Faulkner Breast Centre, Boston, MA
  • Dixie J. Mills, MD, FACS, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, Pacific Palisades,CA 90272
  • Judith K. Ockene, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Chief of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
  • Susan E. Pories, MD, FACS; Breast Surgery/Surgical Oncology; Assistant professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School; BIDMC/Mt. Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA
  • Leo L. Stolbach, MD, FACP, Senior Affiliate, Dept of Medicine UMA Medical School; Consultant in Medical Oncology and Behavioral Medicine, Worcester Medical Center/St. Vincent's Hospital, Newton Centre, MA
  • Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, MA, LMHC, Founder, Virginia Thurston Healing Garden
  • Lisa B. Weissmann, MD, Chief of Oncology, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medical Oncology, Mt. Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA