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About Us
The Organization
Ginny and Bill Thurston’s beautiful forty-year-old, ten-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” over the years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, she spent even more time in the garden as a place of respite from the trauma 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 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 community of support to women with breast cancer, with no financial barriers to treatment.”
 Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, M.A. LMHC, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Elizabeth was a practicing psychotherapist for 20 years before she was invited to be Executive Director of the Healing Garden in 2000. She has experienced breast cancer twice since 1990; after her first diagnosis, she began researching the psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on women and their families. From 1992 to 2001 she specialized in providing treatment for those with breast cancer. In addition to her duties as Executive Director she continues writing and lecturing on the topic.
 Lana Heino Roman, Executive Assistant, worked in hospital administrative services for many years. She joined Elizabeth with the opening of the Healing Garden in 2001. A breast cancer survivor, Lana is a vital presence to the Garden and she coordinates the many services offered to our clients.
 Julie Seavy, Associate Director,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 also 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.
Board of Directors
Advisory Board
The responsibilities of the Advisory Board are to attend a minimum of one meeting each year, provide advisory capability to Board, Executive Director and staff, and allow use of Advisory Board member's name and affiliations.
- 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
- Lisa B. Weissmann, MD, Chief of Oncology, Cambridge Health Alliance, Medical Oncology, Mt. Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA
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