Blum Center News & Events

Join us for a monthly in-person Lymph Flow Yoga® session led by Babz Tobin. This session will focus on improving our lymphatic health through self-manual lymph drainage routine, breathing techniques, and mindful meditation.

This session is free and open to everyone of all levels and abilities. No special equipment is needed. You will be seated in a chair for this session.

Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Barbara Tobin, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, CYT, Reiki Master

Babz Tobin is an occupational therapist at Mass General. She is also a lymphedema therapist, certified yoga teacher, and reiki master. Babz is passionate and eager to create and collaborate on holistic wellness programs to support individuals through their cancer journeys and beyond. She is the founder of Lymph Flow Yoga®, a type of yoga specifically designed to improve lymphatic health which she was inspired to create to help her mom, who is a breast cancer survivor and has lymphedema.

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

Join us for a session on letting go, ‘Beginning Again’ seasonal reflection, intention-setting, and presence during the holiday season.

This online program is free and open to Mass General staff, patients, and the general public. No registration needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Carmen Alvarez, MHA

Carmen Alvarez, MHA, 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 since 2018.

She is a co-author of the book, The Happiness of Coaching, released in March 2024. In her book chapter, Happiness by Choice, Carmen shares her healing journey after loss and provides practical insights for managing grief, and ultimately finding joy again.

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.

Join us for an educational session on sleep health led by Jane He. This evening session will focus on the importance of a good night’s sleep for maintaining physical and mental health. She will also share techniques on how to manage our sleep routine and improve our quality of sleep.

Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EST

Speaker: Tingyu (Jane) He

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

Join Katherine Olshan, MD, and Katarina Mollo, MEd, RDN, LDN, for a talk on the two most common gluten-related disorders: celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. They will review the common misconceptions, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management of these disorders.

Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Katherine Olshan, MD
• Katarina Mollo, MEd, RDN, LDN

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

This event is part of the Blum Center and Slavin Academy Education Series.

Eating healthy can be challenging with a busy schedule. In this presentation, we will focus on how you can take small steps to create mindful, nutritious choices when faced with the demands of daily life. We will provide practical and sustainable tips to help prioritize nutrition when time is limited.

This online program is free and open to Mass General staff, patients, and the general public. No registration needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speaker: Midori Kirby, BSPH, 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.

About the Nutrition Education Series

This program is part of the Nutrition Education Series, a collaboration between the Department of Nutrition and Food Services and the Maxwell & Eleanor Blum Patient and Family Learning Center.

Cancer survivorship is a journey that evolves — physically, emotionally, and socially. This talk explores how embracing variety and adopting a “curious investigator” mindset can support long-term well-being. Centered around the pillars of lifestyle medicine — physical activity, nutrition, social connection, sleep, and stress resilience — we will discuss practical ways cancer survivors and thrivers can experiment with new behaviors, adapt routines, and rediscover joy in living well. You will learn strategies to maintain motivation and foster sustainable health practices that enhance quality of life. We will have patient guests share their inspiring stories of how they have incorporated variety to optimize health.

This online program is free and open to Mass General staff, patients, and the general public. No registration needed.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Loren Winters, MSN, ANP-BC, OCN, DipACLM
  Oncology Nurse Practitioner
• 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.

This "Surgery 101 for Families" session will guide you through your loved one's entire surgical journey, from pre-operative preparations to post-operative care and recovery at home. We will provide practical tips on how to effectively communicate with the surgical care team and be an advocate for your family member. Join us to learn the best ways to care for and support your loved one as they heal, helping you feel more prepared and confident during this time.

Space is limited on a first come, first served basis. No registration is needed.

Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Speaker: Sophia K. McKinley, MD, EdM, FACS, FSSO

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

This event is part of the Blum Center and Slavin Academy Education Series.

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

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

In this session, we will discuss tips to optimize your nutrition even when experiencing difficulty swallowing.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Carol Sullivan, MS, RD, CSO, LDN
  Senior Clinical Dietitian
• Ashley Draviam, MS, RD, CSO, LDN
  Senior Clinical Dietitian

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.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

The internet is full of misinformation related to diet and health. In this session, we will help you cut through the noise to discover diet patterns that support strength during cancer treatment as well as long-term heart health.

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST

Speakers:

• Kiersten Anderson, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C
  Senior Clinical Social Worker
• Elizabeth Abraham, RN, BSN
  Senior Clinical Research Nurse

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.

Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM EST

In this session, we will outline diet strategies to manage diarrhea 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.

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
• Dana Haggett, MS, RN, FNP-BC
  Oncology 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.

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.

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
• 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.

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.

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.