Smith Center is a non-profit health, education, and arts organization in Washington DC. Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes for people affected by cancer.
Our programs empower individuals to live as well and as long as possible by offering emotional support, self-care resources, and conventional and complementary choices in healing. Workshops and retreats led by experts focus on time-tested wellness techniques such as health-supportive nutrition, creative expression, personal reflection, stress reduction, and other healthy choices that enhance emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.
We advocate for an integrative approach to cancer care that treats the whole person – mind, body, and spirit — by combining the best medical interventions with complementary and supportive therapies. We offer educational, therapeutic, supportive programs that can help you be an active participant in your own healing. Our programs focus on cultivating each person’s innate ability to heal, helping participants explore meaning and maintain hope — even in the face of life’s challenges.
Our programs are tailored to the needs of people affected by cancer. However, many of the classes we offer are also useful to a broader audience interested in wellness and integrative health and are therefore open to the whole community.
Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental wellness and lead to life-affirming changes. We offer programs for the community and specialize in serving people with cancer and utilizing the arts in healing.
Our Philosophy on Healing
Healing evokes our innate potential for wholeness. Physically, promoting health makes our bodies stronger and more resilient. Emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, we can explore meaning and our most fulfilling ways of being, relating, and creating in the world. Engaging in the process of healing can broaden our perspectives and enhance our senses of well-being and inner peace.
Healing is a natural and often deeply personal process that can encompass the entire spectrum of our lives – physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual. For some it is a return to wholeness or a return of hope – to others, it is a sense that “I will be all right, no matter what happens.” It can be a return of a long lost sense of joy in life or a renewed sense of purpose despite difficult circumstances. For others, a new or renewed sense of belonging in the world, or of a sense that somehow everything makes sense.
There is an important dialogue that is taking place in contemporary bio-medicine about the distinction between curing and healing. We want both. Curing is a successful medical treatment. It is what the physician hopes to bring to the patient. Healing is broader and comes from within. It is the inner process through which a person becomes whole. Curing affects the illness, while healing affects the experience of the illness. Person engaged in healing work can make a significant transformation in their quality of life. And that itself can sometimes have a positive affect on outcome.
Our work at Smith Center is to help ‘create the conditions for healing’ through support, community, and providing tools and techniques that promote healing. We believe that everyone harbors innate capacities for healing. We believe that healing is always possible even when curing is not.
Smith Centers focuses on …
Cancer Programs: We offer empowering retreats and programs for adults living with cancer and their caregivers including yoga and stress reduction, creative expression, nutrition classes, as well as lectures and support programs.
Patient Navigation: Through the Institute of Integrative Oncology Navigation, we offer innovative national and local patient navigation trainings and contribute to the developing dialogue about patient care nationwide.
Arts & Healing: Smith Center has become a leader in the nationwide movement to promote the use of the arts in healing. We do this through programs and exhibitions at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery and by developing and sharing a range of innovative programs and initiatives in the community and across the nation.
Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training
REGISTER NOW
The Integrative Oncology Patient Navigation Training
should become the gold standard for cancer navigators:
from day one the program has exceeded my expectations.
– Navigation Training Alum
Smith Center’s innovative Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training offers the country’s only comprehensive learning experience in the practice of integrative cancer care navigation.
For 10 years, Smith Center offered our immersive in-person Integrative Patient Navigator Training to oncology professionals, lay navigators, and patient advocates throughout the country. We are excited to share that, in response to a need for our training to be more accessible, we have re-developed the course into a self-paced online curriculum.
This online self-paced professional training program for healthcare and integrative health practitioners will teach you how to successfully navigate cancer patients/clients through the challenges of cancer by using an integrative cancer care approach. This program provides in-depth education about integrative oncology and current complementary cancer therapies, how to review evidence for these therapies, body mechanisms targeted by various integrative approaches, and how to craft integrative care plans for patients/clients. Learners from a variety of professions can earn a certificate of completion and up to 44 continuing education units including Nurses, Social Workers, Health and Wellness Coaches, and Nutrition Specialists.
The Integrative Oncology Patient Navigator Training has been approved by the following continuing education providers:
- Maryland Nursing Association (MNA) – 44 contact hours
- American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA) – 44 contact hours
- MD Board of Social Work – 41 CEs
- International Coaching Federation (ICF) – 40 CEs
- National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) – 36 CEs
- Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) – 24 CEs
- Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (American Nutrition Association) (BCNS) – 44 CEs
- National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) – 40 CEs
You can register for the course today by visiting: https://ce.muih.edu/browse/ce/courses/integrative-oncology-patient-navigator-training.
Format: Online, Self-Paced, On-Demand Professional Certificate Program
Cost: $1,200. Includes two-year access to the course materials, up to 44 continuing education credits or contact hours, and a valuable toolbox of resources, handouts, and skills to support patients with integrative tools throughout the cancer continuum.
If you have any questions,
please contact Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C, [email protected].
Thank you to the sponsors who have generously provided funding to help us redesign our training:
The Scheidel Foundation,
The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
The Gwendolyn and Morris Cafritz Foundation.
Presenter Bios and Partners
Laura Pole, RN: Baccalaureate and Master’s in Nursing. Licensed as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist. Certified as a health-supportive chef. Director of Nourishment Education Programs and Co-Developer and Co-Leader of Integrative Cancer Care Navigation Training.
Carole O’Toole, MS: Masters in Medical Anthropology/Health Policy. Consultant, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Member, Society of Integrative Oncology, Association of Oncology Nurse and Patient Navigators, Global Network for Spirituality and Health, Spiritual Care Association. Co-Developer and Co-Leader of Integrative Cancer Care Navigation Training.
Erin Price, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C: Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Masters in Social Work. Director, Young Adult & Psychosocial Support Programs, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. Graduate of Project LEAD, National Breast Cancer Coalition. Integrative Oncology Special Interest Group Leader & Member, Association of Oncology Social Work. State Leader & RISE Advocate, Young Survival Coalition. Member, Greater Washington Society for Clinical Social Work and Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates.
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO: Naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology. Independent consultant in practitioner and consumer health education. Executive Director of TAP Integrative, a nonprofit educational resource for integrative practitioners. Co-author of The Definitive Guide to Cancer and The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer; Co-host of radio show, Five To Thrive Live! on the Cancer Support Network. Past president, Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Nancy Hepp, MS: Master’s in instructional design and graduate work in research and cognitive. Project Manager, CancerChoices.
Beth Romanski, MS, INHC: A seasoned higher education professional, currently serving in the role of adjunct faculty member at Maryland University of Integrative Health, a leading academic institution solely dedicated to integrative health programs. Beth holds a master’s degree in Higher Education, a Quality Matters Certificate in Instructional Design, and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Workplace Wellness from Maryland University of Health in addition to various integrative health professional trainings. Passionate lifelong learner and health educator and serves in various leadership positions for professional continuing education associations and an active member of the National Wellness Institute (NWI) Emerging Wellness Professionals (EWF) Task Force, Integrative Medicine for the Underserved (IM4US) Education & Research Committee and the American Institute of Stress (AIS). Holds a certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and is founder of MyHealthyTransitions Health Coaching. Co-Host of the Wellness Warriors Radio podcast. In her practice, she takes an educational and empowering approach to facilitate positive habits that support holistic wellbeing and sustainable results, with the mindset that “being healthy doesn’t have to be hard.”
Disclosure Statement: The presenters have no conflict of interest in developing or presenting this content. The program development has been supported by the following non-profit foundation.
Program Partners:
SMITH CENTER PROGRAMS
FEATURED PROGRAMS – April 2024
HEALING CIRCLES & SUPPORT GROUPS
RECURRING PROGRAMS
YOUNG ADULT CANCER PROGRAMS
Outside the Lines: A Creative Art Studio will help you reclaim art-making as a healing tool through guided creative projects.
Trained volunteers provide knitting instruction and quality materials in an effort to foster wellness, comfort, and community.
This monthly support group is designed for adults diagnosed with cancer who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
An all levels introduction to the practice of Qigong including discussion, movement and an energetic transmission and meditation.
Bring the subtle energies of your body back into balance with a half-hour of stress-reducing relaxation to calm the body and enhance your well-being.
Bring the subtle energies of your body back into balance with a half-hour of stress-reducing relaxation to calm the body and enhance your well-being.
Start getting ready for the weekend (or end your day …) by practicing some gentle hatha yoga to explore letting go of what no longer serves you.
Dance and music can heal your mind, body and soul. This is a 1 hour dance class set to a carefully curated musical playlist that will inspire and elevate
This workshop will focus on the joy of discovering who we are and envisioning who we are and want to become through the lens of our most important photos.
We are a group of gay men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer or who are recovering from treatment that offer support to each other.
En Smith Center, Nueva Vida tendrá grupos de apoyo que se enfocan en el apoyo al trauma asociado con el diagnóstico de cáncer.
By intentionally focusing on the emotional process rather than the artistic product, participants are able to unleash their creative powers and produce striking works that have the power to heal and awaken.
Dive into the restorative benefits of essential oils. Craft body oil and scrub blends uniquely tailored to your essence. Family Friendly Program!
We will engage meditation, movement, visualization and sharing our stories as ways to help us embrace hope and optimism.
This group, led by a licensed psychologist, is designed to provide cancer caregivers with the opportunity to meet other caregivers, learn about useful tools for self-care, and explore ways to thrive in the caregiving role.
The loss of a parent from cancer brings with it many complex feelings. Sadness, anger, and regret are just a few of the feelings you may experience.
Regardless of your personal beliefs or faith system, working with a spiritual companion offers you an opportunity to reflect with another on what is going on for you spiritually, and explore how to integrate your cancer experience with your personal beliefs.
Come together as an LGBTQIA+ community for a weekly morning meditation sit.
Welcome to “Pop-Up Book Club,” a community of book lovers diving into current and relevant book material.
Connect body and mind. You are invited to relax deeply as we move through a series of gentle seated and supported poses that promote self-care.
A peer-led virtual support group for parents who are newly diagnosed, in active treatment or in survivorship.
Enjoy a greater sense of well-being and enhanced energy through yoga postures, techniques in progressive relaxation, breathing practices, and meditation.
Grieving Together: A 6-Week Series
In this 6-week circle, we will explore the extent and limits of what is lost, what is left, and what is possible. This series aims to create a safe environment for sharing and deep listening. Together, we will honor our unique paths to healing while respecting each other’s choices.What to Expect:
- Deep listening and sharing from the heart
- Compassionate and curious exploration of our grief
- Embracing both moments of sharing and silent reflection
- Agreement on acceptance and confidentiality within the group
- REGISTER HERE
Healing U Wellness Festival. Join us for a day filled with, arts, creativity, relaxation, and rejuvenation!
Discover a variety of workshops and activities focused on healing your mind, body, and soul. From yoga sessions, nutrition classes, breathwork and meditation, salsa lessons, poetry, and art there’s something for everyone looking to enhance their well-being. Connect with like-minded individuals and experts in creative arts and the wellness field.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prioritize self-care and personal growth. Use the QR code below for more information and to register on Eventbrite for this FREE event. Or, click the registration link to register online.
1632 U Street NW,
Hope to see you there!
REGISTER TODAY
Dr. Lise Alschuler (one of our patient navigation training faculty) and Karolyn Gazella, co-authors of The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer and The Definitive Guide to Cancer, will introduce you to ways to reduce the risk of cancer and cancer recurrence by optimizing the health of 5 key pathways: immunity, inflammation, insulin regulation, detoxification, and hormonal balance. Learn which lifestyle strategies — such as diet, mind/body practices, physical activity, and key supplements — can transform your body into one that cancer doesn’t like. |
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The Smith Center Cancer Retreats Team is pleased to share the application for our next 3-day in-person retreat that will be held at Priest Field in West Virginia from Tuesday, April 16 – Thursday, April 18th.
Transform Cancer: A Healing Retreat is designed for cancer patients/survivors who wish to explore what it means to heal and experience practices that have been shown to promote physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Sessions will be offered on movement, eating well, managing stress, sleeping better, sharing support, and using written and visual arts to express oneself.
Our renowned retreat model, offered for over 25 years, provides each participant with an immersive experience in defining healing for themselves through support, community, and access to tools and techniques that promote healing. We believe everyone harbors innate healing capacities and that healing is always possible.
In what ways has your experience of your illness or health changed in response to attending the retreat?
So many!
I truly feel less alone and with—and part of – a community.
I’ve gained so much confidence to trust
in myself and my inner wisdom to guide my healing.
– A 3-Day Retreat Participant
Click the buttons below for more detailed information about the retreat experience and to apply:
Before applying, please note that the fee for the retreat is $985 per person, including retreat programming, individual accommodations at Priest Field (private room and private bath), all meals and nutritious snacks.
We have limited scholarship funds and requests generally exceed our resources. In most cases, scholarship awards are offered in the amount of $285. Awards are made on a first come-first served basis. We encourage submission of your application as early as possible.
We hope that you will join us.
For over twenty years, our life-enhancing retreats for people with cancer have been at the heart of our work. Smith Center offers a respite from everyday life with a cancer diagnosis and an opportunity to be fully immersed in healing. Our programs are designed to empower participants to make life-affirming changes by offering tools, knowledge, and support in a safe and caring community of others facing a cancer diagnosis. Since the pandemic, we have creatively shifted to offering these retreats virtually with our “Invitation to Healing”.
We invite you to join us for our FREE programs on Cooking & Nutrition, Creativity, Educational Talks, Gentle Yoga, Healing Circles, Support Groups, and Young Adult Cancer programming. Additionally, we would like to highlight our new Breast Cancer Caregiver Support Group, in partnership with Medstar Washington Hospital Center:
We welcome you to join us for programs, visit us at our U Street Center and Art Gallery, or contact us to learn more. We hope to see you soon!
Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the information, or if you have any feedback on how it would be best for you to receive this information moving forward. Thank you for your continued support, and for sharing our programming with your constituents. You are such an important part of our community!
Warmly,
Kiersten Gallagher
Cancer Support Program Director
Kiersten Gallagher has served as the Cancer Support Program Director for Smith Center since 2014. Before coming to Smith Center, she had the privilege to serve individuals and families living with cancer at Wellness House of Annapolis. Kiersten aims to offer programs to reduce stress and help participants to see the world we live in from different perspectives. She thoroughly enjoys teaching yoga and creativity classes at Smith Center and encourages gentle movement and creativity in the healing process. Kiersten is a certified yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance and also has her YCAT (Yoga Therapy in Cancer and Chronic Illness) Professional Certification through the Integral Yoga Academy. She has completed Patient Navigation training through Smith Center’s Institute for Integrative Oncology Navigation and has also completed the Commonweal Healing Circles: Advanced Cancer Support Training. Kiersten is also certified in CLIMB®(Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) a program that aims to build upon the strengths of children and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with a parent’s illness. She believes in a holistic approach to healing, human relationships and is grateful for each and every day. Kiersten has also completed the Compassion Cultivation Training – CCT™ an 8-week program, developed at Stanford University, with insights and techniques from psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative practice. In her spare time, you may find Kiersten laughing with friends, cycling, taking art classes, practicing yoga and spending time with her husband Shane, son Liam, and dogs Beans and Pablo.
ACCEPTS VIRTUAL CLIENTS
1632 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.483.8600
www.smithcenter.org
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