Blum Center News & Events

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

In this session, we will outline diet strategies to manage constipation during cancer treatment.

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series

In this monthly webinar series, registered dietitians from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute will discuss common nutrition-related issues that patients may face during cancer treatment. Join these sessions to learn practical strategies for managing these challenges and optimizing your diet throughout the cancer care journey.

The Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series is a collaboration between Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center.

Sleep disturbances affect up to 50% of people who have ever been diagnosed with cancer. For individuals with a history of cancer, impaired sleep can worsen depression, anxiety, pain, cognitive performance, work functioning, overall quality of life, and even clinical outcomes. Because restorative sleep is a core pillar of lifestyle medicine, this webinar will unpack the key risk factors for sleep problems and outline practical solutions you can start tonight. We will also show how managing pain, hot flashes, and worry can remove hidden barriers to better rest. You will leave with an actionable toolkit to rebuild healthy sleep habits and boost your daily energy and well-being.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Amy Comander, MD, DipABLM
  Medical Director, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham
  Director of Lifestyle Medicine, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute
• Daniel L. Hall, PhD
  Co-Director of Behavioral Sleep Medicine, MGH Behavioral Medicine Program
  Director of Training, MGH Health Promotion and Resiliency Intervention Research Center
  Staff Psychologist, Psychiatric Oncology, Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute
  Assistant Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School
• Sylvia K. Perry, DNP, MS, ANP-BC
  Nurse Practitioner

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the PAVING the Path to Wellness Series

Based on the principles of lifestyle medicine, PAVING the Path to Wellness provides education on the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, stress management, and the power of personal connections for individuals of all ages with a breast cancer diagnosis.

In collaboration with Lifestyle Medicine at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center, we are pleased to offer this monthly webinar series to all cancer survivors, thrivers, those living with cancer, and their loved ones of all cancer types.

You have made an appointment with your primary care provider or specialist. What’s next?

Join us in a conversation on the best ways to prepare so you can make the most of your time with your health care provider. We will also include how a family member can be an active participant in your care team.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Speaker: Cara McNally, BSN, RN, MEd

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

This session focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Caregiver Education Series

Learn, connect, and feel supported in this monthly education series offered in collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Alzheimer’s Association®. This series is designed to empower caregivers with the confidence and skills to care for someone living with dementia.

Happy STI Awareness Week! Join us as we engage in conversation around sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some questions we will tackle: What exactly is an STI? What are common symptoms to look out for? How can each of us break stigma when it comes to sexual health?

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Panelists:

• Dan Resnick, MD
• Joey Carlesimo, RN
• Megan Graff

Moderator: Eric Jaukkuri

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

Join us for an educational session on aging and skin health led by Veronica Stantcheva. This session will focus on the importance of taking care of our skin as we age. We will discuss how skin changes as we get older and share helpful tips for keeping skin healthy and protected over time.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Speaker: Veronica Stantcheva

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

Join us for a special Earth Day session exploring the impacts of climate change on mental health and who is at risk. Learn about the psychological challenges posed by our changing environment and the importance of building resilience. This talk will offer strategies to cope and thrive in a climate-conscious world.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: James McKowen, PD

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

This virtual session invites participants to explore the role of meaning in emotional well‑being and to understand the research linking purpose to resilience and health. Through a guided reflection exercise, you will have the opportunity to reflect on what brings meaning to your work and life.

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST

Speaker: Carmen Alvarez, MHA, Reiki Master
Carmen is a certified Positivity and Relaxation Response Training Facilitator by the Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine. She is also a certified Workforce Mindfulness Facilitator by the Mindful Leader™ and a certified SKY Wellness Coach by the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Carmen is also a certified Reiki Master and has served as a Reiki Therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA since 2018. Carmen serves as the Director of Physician \& Patient Engagement at Mass General Brigham International Patient Services, with attention to Latin American Markets, and she is a member of the Workforce Well-Being Collaborative Board at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

This session focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Caregiver Education Series

Learn, connect, and feel supported in this monthly education series offered in collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Alzheimer’s Association®. This series is designed to empower caregivers with the confidence and skills to care for someone living with dementia.

Join us for an educational session on loneliness and health led by Gavin Drucis. This afternoon session will focus on the negative health effects of loneliness and how connecting with others can combat their effects. Gavin will lead a discussion on how you can build meaningful connections.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Gavin Drucis

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

Join us in this Wednesday Afternoon Learning Series for a conversation on the best ways to find reputable, trustworthy health information online. We will discuss the pitfalls of quick online searches and share practical tips for identifying credible, reliable resources to support your health journey.

You can attend in person or join online. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Cara McNally, BSN, RN, MEd

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

The Center for Comprehensive Healing (CCH), in partnership with the Small Steps Healing Project, is providing a pop-up healing event to the Mass General Brigham community.

This event gives patients, caregivers, and Mass General Brigham providers and staff the chance to try out integrative healing practices such as acupressure, reiki, and sound therapy in a low-barrier, no-cost setting. With guidance from trained practitioners, attendees can explore different approaches to healing and discover what resonates with them.

We hope you will join us and take advantage of this opportunity to experience these healing practices firsthand.

Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

For more information on the healing events, email the Center for Comprehensive Healing.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

Are dietary supplements useful for patients with cancer? That depends! Join us for a discussion about the role of supplements across the cancer care journey.

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series

In this monthly webinar series, registered dietitians from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute will discuss common nutrition-related issues that patients may face during cancer treatment. Join these sessions to learn practical strategies for managing these challenges and optimizing your diet throughout the cancer care journey.

The Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series is a collaboration between Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Dana Haggett, MS, RN, FNP-BC
  Oncology Nurse Practitioner
• Stephanie Eisenstat, MD
  Internist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the PAVING the Path to Wellness Series

Based on the principles of lifestyle medicine, PAVING the Path to Wellness provides education on the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, stress management, and the power of personal connections for individuals of all ages with a breast cancer diagnosis.

In collaboration with Lifestyle Medicine at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center, we are pleased to offer this monthly webinar series to all cancer survivors, thrivers, those living with cancer, and their loved ones of all cancer types.

This session teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends, and healthcare professionals.

You can attend in person or join online. Each topic is offered twice and shares the same information. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

In-Person Option:

• Thursday, May 14, 2026
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
• Location:
  Blum Center
  White Building, First Floor
  Room 110
  Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

• Thursday, May 28, 2026
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Caregiver Education Series

Learn, connect, and feel supported in this monthly education series offered in collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Alzheimer’s Association®. This series is designed to empower caregivers with the confidence and skills to care for someone living with dementia.

This hybrid session explores heart–brain communication and its role in emotional regulation, heart coherence, and resilience. Participants will learn how emotional states influence physiology, gain an understanding of how the heart and brain interact, and practice a simple heart‑centered breathing technique to synchronize the heart, brain, and nervous system.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Carmen Alvarez, MHA, Reiki Master
Carmen is a certified Positivity and Relaxation Response Training Facilitator by the Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine. She is also a certified Workforce Mindfulness Facilitator by the Mindful Leader™ and a certified SKY Wellness Coach by the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Carmen is also a certified Reiki Master and has served as a Reiki Therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA since 2018. Carmen serves as the Director of Physician & Patient Engagement at Mass General Brigham International Patient Services, with attention to Latin American Markets, and she is a member of the Workforce Well-Being Collaborative Board at Massachusetts General Hospital.

In-Person Option:

• Location:
  Blum Center
  White Building, First Floor
  Room 110
  Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

During cancer treatment, your nutrition goals may temporarily change. In this session, we will discuss dietary patterns that are appropriate as you finish treatment and transition into life as a cancer survivor.

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series

In this monthly webinar series, registered dietitians from the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute will discuss common nutrition-related issues that patients may face during cancer treatment. Join these sessions to learn practical strategies for managing these challenges and optimizing your diet throughout the cancer care journey.

The Nutrition During Cancer Treatment Education Series is a collaboration between Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center.

This session shares evidence-based practical tips to help lower the risk of cognitive decline and dementia including diet, exercise, and cognitive engagement.

You can attend in person or join online. Each topic is offered twice and shares the same information. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

In-Person Option:

• Thursday, June 11, 2026
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
• Location:
  Blum Center
  White Building, First Floor
  Room 110
  Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

• Thursday, June 25, 2026
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Caregiver Education Series

Learn, connect, and feel supported in this monthly education series offered in collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Alzheimer’s Association®. This series is designed to empower caregivers with the confidence and skills to care for someone living with dementia.

This in-person session invites participants to explore creativity as a pathway to mindfulness, using focused attention to enhance presence. Participants will engage in a reflective creative exercise through mindful drawing or observation of natural elements, with opportunities to explore with flowers and botanical objects.

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST

Location:
Blum Center
White Building, First Floor
Room 110
Boston, MA 02114

Speaker: Carmen Alvarez, MHA, Reiki Master
Carmen is a certified Positivity and Relaxation Response Training Facilitator by the Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine. She is also a certified Workforce Mindfulness Facilitator by the Mindful Leader™ and a certified SKY Wellness Coach by the International Association for Human Values (IAHV). Carmen is also a certified Reiki Master and has served as a Reiki Therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA since 2018. Carmen serves as the Director of Physician & Patient Engagement at Mass General Brigham International Patient Services, with attention to Latin American Markets, and she is a member of the Workforce Well-Being Collaborative Board at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

Interested in learning how diet impacts energy, performance, and recovery when working out? Join Leah Capomaccio as she discusses the role of macronutrients (like protein), vitamins, minerals, and hydration in athletic performance. She will review proper fueling for a variety of activities, including marathon training tips, and will debunk some common nutrition myths.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Leah Capomaccio, MS

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

This session shares tips for managing someone else’s finances and preparing for future care costs.

You can attend in person or join online. Each topic is offered twice and shares the same information. Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

In-Person Option:

• Thursday, July 9, 2026
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
• Location:
  Blum Center
  White Building, First Floor
  Room 110
  Boston, MA 02114

Virtual Option:

• Thursday, July 23, 2026
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST

Have Questions About the Topic? Please submit your questions to us before the program, so that the speaker may address them during the session.

About the Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia: The Caregiver Education Series

Learn, connect, and feel supported in this monthly education series offered in collaboration between the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center and the Alzheimer’s Association®. This series is designed to empower caregivers with the confidence and skills to care for someone living with dementia.