This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link for the course, please click the RSVP button above. If you have any questions, please email programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Phebe Duff and Virginia Barnes Ricketts, MS, LCPC

offered in partnership with Wellness House of Annapolis

This program is being offered virtually over 10 weeks from Thursday, March 21 through May 23 from 4:00-6:00pm ET. We ask that participants commit to attending all sessions as limited space is available.

This 10 week course is designed to help cancer patients reduce suffering from the pain and stress associated with their illness. The course integrates mindfulness, psychoeducation and cognitive-behavioral techniques. All are evidence-based strategies for improving well-being and quality of life in patients experiencing pain. The class includes online instruction and meditation practice, as well as short assignments to complete at home. Participants will learn many new strategies for enhancing a sense of peace in their lives while living with cancer.


About Phebe Duff

Phebe Duff is a long-time meditator and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator. She completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA and the Dharmacharya program offered by the Venerable Pannavati at Heartwood Refuge in Hendersonville, NC. Phebe has facilitated MBSR courses for a wide variety of populations since 2005. Since retiring after a 30+ year career in human resources and as a professional musician, Phebe has taught meditation and MBSR for Wellness House of Annapolis, a cancer support organization providing various kinds of emotional and other support services to people recently diagnosed with cancer or living
with cancer, family members and caregivers of cancer patients and people who have lost a loved one to cancer. Working with the cancer community and sharing the practices of meditation and mindfulness to support their healing journey has been the best experience of her teaching career.

About Virginia Barnes Ricketts, MS, LCPC

Virginia is a psychotherapist in private practice in Annapolis, Maryland serving adults and adult families with a broad range of mental health needs. Virginia has worked for the past five years as a counselor and group leader at Annapolis Wellness House where she has been able to combine her professional training with her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor. Virginia is committed to sharing with her patients the most current information in psychological science, and works to translate research into useful understandings of human behavior. Virginia brings insight into conscious and unconscious mental processes so that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be understood in the most constructive ways. Her goal is to help patients develop strategies for more effectively navigating and enjoying their lives, while continuing to grow as human beings.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Nancy Novack

Nancy's List - Coping with Financial Stress for Cancer Patients and Their Families

Free, Fun and Fabulous Opportunities for Persons Living with Cancer and Their Loved Ones

Nancy Novack PhD, Founder and CEO of Nancy’s List, will share opportunities to expand the quality of life for persons who are living with cancer and those who love and care for them.
These will include :
  • Retreats for women, men, women and men, and families
  • Camps for kids, teens and young adults, and families
  • Wish fulfillment adventures

About Nancy Novack

Nancy Novack

On the evening of my first meeting with my oncologist, he said to me, “This is a challenging diagnosis. The prognosis is bleak. But I do believe I can help you. I am with you.” Those four words sustained me whenever I was in fear. They directed my understanding of the power of relationship in my healing process. I was able to open my heart and receive the love and generosity of family and friends and oftentimes strangers who were there to hold my hand and my heart.
When people ask, and they often do, “What happened? How did you make it when so many others do not survive stage 4 ovarian cancer?” I don’t have any answers to that mystery. I do know, for certain, that the opening of my heart, the receiving of the blessings and the love, the sense of abundance of good will coming my way changed my being — during my cancer and forever more.

I am the luckiest lady in the world. I truly enjoy defying medical statistics and being the poster child for Stanford’s Cancer Center.

I made a vow to make a difference for people living with cancer, for those who love and care for them, and for the children who have a cancer diagnosis or love someone who has. My simple and profound wish is that no one will ever go through cancer alone. I started Nancy’s List to help my community cope with the epidemic of cancer.

For me, cancer changed everything. It generated my growth. It taught me the essence of gratitude. I adore the generosity of strangers. It defined my calling and refined my purpose as a psychologist. It gave me the opportunity to offer hope to those who have lost theirs. I found my courage and resilience.

Read Nancy’s full story here: https://nancyslist.org/name-nancy-novack/

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Nancy Novack

Nancy's List - Coping with Financial Stress for Cancer Patients and Their Families

An Interactive Conversation:

Tips for Managing Cancer-Related Financial Stress

Come prepared with your questions, concerns, or suggestions so that we can support each other.
In my personal experience as a survivor of stage 4 ovarian cancer, I had many financial challenges. In my professional role as a clinical psychologist and the Founder of Nancy’s List, I have worked with many many cancer patients who have experienced significant stress because of the financial burden of cancer. I want to do whatever I can to share information that will alleviate that distress so that patients can focus on their healing. 

About Nancy Novack

Nancy Novack

On the evening of my first meeting with my oncologist, he said to me, “This is a challenging diagnosis. The prognosis is bleak. But I do believe I can help you. I am with you.” Those four words sustained me whenever I was in fear. They directed my understanding of the power of relationship in my healing process. I was able to open my heart and receive the love and generosity of family and friends and oftentimes strangers who were there to hold my hand and my heart.
When people ask, and they often do, “What happened? How did you make it when so many others do not survive stage 4 ovarian cancer?” I don’t have any answers to that mystery. I do know, for certain, that the opening of my heart, the receiving of the blessings and the love, the sense of abundance of good will coming my way changed my being — during my cancer and forever more.

I am the luckiest lady in the world. I truly enjoy defying medical statistics and being the poster child for Stanford’s Cancer Center.

I made a vow to make a difference for people living with cancer, for those who love and care for them, and for the children who have a cancer diagnosis or love someone who has. My simple and profound wish is that no one will ever go through cancer alone. I started Nancy’s List to help my community cope with the epidemic of cancer.

For me, cancer changed everything. It generated my growth. It taught me the essence of gratitude. I adore the generosity of strangers. It defined my calling and refined my purpose as a psychologist. It gave me the opportunity to offer hope to those who have lost theirs. I found my courage and resilience.

Read Nancy’s full story here: https://nancyslist.org/name-nancy-novack/

POSTPONED – This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing olivia@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Nancy Novack

Nancy's List - Coping with Financial Stress for Cancer Patients and Their Families

Coping with Financial Stress:

For Cancer Patients and Their Families

Join Nancy Novack, PhD, for a discussion about the financial challenges that many experience when living with cancer. 
Nancy has a unique perspective on the relentless cancer-related financial pressures both as a clinical psychologist serving hundreds of cancer patients and in her own personal life as an ovarian cancer patient. She started Nancy’s List as a tool to disseminate information about financial resources for the cancer community.
Some questions that will be addressed will include: 
  • What do I do about money when I’ve been diagnosed?
  • What do I do when bills come?
  • How do I find money in the time of Covid?
  • How can I relieve stress?
  • How can I navigate Nancy’s List of resources?

Submit your questions for Nancy with your registration, so that we may be certain to answer your special questions/concerns. You may email your questions to Kiersten at kiersten@smithcenter.org.


About Nancy Novack

Nancy Novack

On the evening of my first meeting with my oncologist, he said to me, “This is a challenging diagnosis. The prognosis is bleak. But I do believe I can help you. I am with you.” Those four words sustained me whenever I was in fear. They directed my understanding of the power of relationship in my healing process. I was able to open my heart and receive the love and generosity of family and friends and oftentimes strangers who were there to hold my hand and my heart.
When people ask, and they often do, “What happened? How did you make it when so many others do not survive stage 4 ovarian cancer?” I don’t have any answers to that mystery. I do know, for certain, that the opening of my heart, the receiving of the blessings and the love, the sense of abundance of good will coming my way changed my being — during my cancer and forever more.

I am the luckiest lady in the world. I truly enjoy defying medical statistics and being the poster child for Stanford’s Cancer Center.

I made a vow to make a difference for people living with cancer, for those who love and care for them, and for the children who have a cancer diagnosis or love someone who has. My simple and profound wish is that no one will ever go through cancer alone. I started Nancy’s List to help my community cope with the epidemic of cancer.

For me, cancer changed everything. It generated my growth. It taught me the essence of gratitude. I adore the generosity of strangers. It defined my calling and refined my purpose as a psychologist. It gave me the opportunity to offer hope to those who have lost theirs. I found my courage and resilience.

Read Nancy’s full story here: https://nancyslist.org/name-nancy-novack/

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Gayle Danley, CEO, Poetry Pros and James Pennebaker, PhD (University of Texas, Austin)

Did You Know?

Smith Center is pleased to announce the launch of a special series of talks designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the center. Each of the talks will highlight one of eight healing practices that research and practice tell us is important to the health and well-being of cancer patients/survivors, and their loved ones.

The topics include: Eating Well, Moving More, Managing Stress, Sleeping Well, Creating a Healing Environment, Sharing Love and Support, Exploring What Matters Now, and Expressing Oneself.

For each topic, we will have two expert speakers. One will provide a clear and concise review of the science behind the given topic: what we do and do not know about the topic, the impact of this practice on cancer-related quality of life and mortality specifically, and national recommendations for action. The second speaker will “translate” this information into an action plan (e.g., provide user-friendly tips about how to integrate this aspect of healing into your daily life). At the end, there will be time for a question and answer period.


Did You Know? will be hosted Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm ET.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • October 20 – Expressing Oneself
    • with James Pennebaker, PhD (University of Texas, Austin), and Gayle Danley, CEO, Poetry Pros

In honor of our 25th Anniversary in 2021, we are suggesting donations for this series in fractions or multiples of the number “25.” E.G. $2.50, $12.50, $25, etc.


About Gayle Danley, CEO, Poetry Pros

Gayle Danley

Soon after crushing the competition at Asheville’s National Poetry Slam in 1994, Gayle Danley entered America’s classrooms teaching thousands of children how to access their emotions through the force of words. She performed and taught her way from Maryland Young Audience’s Artist of the Year, to National Young Audience’s Artist of the Year. She’s also both a former national and international poetry slam champion. CBS 60 Minutes profiled her work with middle schoolers as well as the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post and New York Times.

For the past five years, Gayle’s Grieffriend sessions have helped women who are living with AIDS, widows, incarcerated youth and those struggling with drug addiction and recovery use poetry to cope and bravely face life’s challenges.

Gayle was recently named Maryland Library Association Poet of the Year.

About James Pennebaker, PhD

Jamie Pennebaker is the Regents Centennial Professor of Liberal Arts and Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. His early research dealt with physical symptoms and health which eventually merged into the discovery of expressive writing.  He and his students discovered that when people were asked to write about emotional upheavals for 3-4 days for 15-20 minutes a day, their physical and mental health improved compared to controls. Over 1,000 studies on expressive writing labs around the world continue to show the value of this method. For the last 25 years, he has focused on computerized text analysis as a way of understanding and measuring people’s social behaviors and psychological states. His text analysis program, LIWC, is well known in psychology, business, and computer science. 

Pennebaker has been continuously funded by NSF, NIH, and other federal agencies since 1983. He has published over 300 articles and written or edited 12 books. He has received many awards and honors for research (e.g., Honorary Doctorate, Social and Personality Society’s Distinguished Scholar, Health Psychology Distinguished Scholar, APA’s Distinguished Contributions to Applications in Psychology, the Pavlovian Award, APS’s William James Fellow Award) and teaching (UT Austin’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers). He served as Chair of UT’s Psychology Department from 2005-2014 and President of the Society of Personality and Social Psychology in 2014. His most recent books are The Secret Life of Pronouns: What Our Words Say About Us (Bloomsbury, 2011) and Opening Up by Writing it Down (Guilford, 2016).

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Barbara Andersen, PhD (Ohio State University) and Susan Lutgendorf, PhD (University of Iowa)

Did You Know?

Smith Center is pleased to announce the launch of a special series of talks designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the center. Each of the talks will highlight one of eight healing practices that research and practice tell us is important to the health and well-being of cancer patients/survivors, and their loved ones.

The topics include: Eating Well, Moving More, Managing Stress, Sleeping Well, Creating a Healing Environment, Sharing Love and Support, Exploring What Matters Now, and Expressing Oneself.

For each topic, we will have two expert speakers. One will provide a clear and concise review of the science behind the given topic: what we do and do not know about the topic, the impact of this practice on cancer-related quality of life and mortality specifically, and national recommendations for action. The second speaker will “translate” this information into an action plan (e.g., provide user-friendly tips about how to integrate this aspect of healing into your daily life). At the end, there will be time for a question and answer period.


Did You Know? will be hosted Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • May 19 – Finding Social Support
    • with Barbara Andersen, PhD (Ohio State University) and Susan Lutgendorf, PhD (University of Iowa)
  • June 16 – Expressing Oneself

In honor of our 25th Anniversary in 2021, we are suggesting donations for this series in fractions or multiples of the number “25.” E.G. $2.50, $12.50, $25, etc.


About Barbara Andersen, PhD

Dr. Barbara L. Andersen, a member of the Ohio State University (OSU) faculty since 1989, holds the position of Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Psychology, with a joint appointment in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Andersen is a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program in the Comprehensive Cancer Center, and was instrumental in the development of the Behavioral Measurement Shared Resource which she directed from 2003-2005. She also served as Director of the OSU Livestrong Survivorship Center of Excellence (2009-11). Dr. Andersen, whose work has been funded since 1983, has published 3 books and written over 170 research articles in clinical psychology and cancer. Recipient of multiple honors for her extensive contributions to the field of psycho- and behavioral oncology, she is widely recognized for her research on the biobehavioral aspects of cancer and their implications for health and disease progression. A randomized clinical trial in collaboration with surgical oncologists William Farrar and William Carson showed a psychological intervention reduced stress, improved quality of life, health behaviors, and adherence for patients with breast cancer in addition to lowering the risk for breast cancer recurrence. Based on a group-delivery format, sharing social support was a key component of this intervention.

About Susan Lutgendorf, PhD

Dr. Susan Lutgendorf is a Clinical Health Psychologist and a Professor in the Clinical Science Training Area in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa. She also has faculty appointments in the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, and is a member of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.  She is the Program Director of the NIGMS-funded T32 Mechanisms of Health and Disease at the Behavioral and Biomedical Interface Training Program. She recently served as the President of the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society, and as President of the American Psychosomatic Society, and is widely recognized for her outstanding contributions to our understanding of the biobehavioral pathways in cancer. Her current research examines how factors such as stress, depression, and social support are linked to biological processes involved in tumor progression and chemo-resistance.  She has recently been funded by NCI to study a novel web-based psychosocial intervention for ovarian cancer patients.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Brian Gonzalez, PhD (Moffitt Cancer Center) and Julienne Bower, PhD (University of California, Los Angeles)

Did You Know?

Smith Center is pleased to announce the launch of a special series of talks designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the center. Each of the talks will highlight one of eight healing practices that research and practice tell us is important to the health and well-being of cancer patients/survivors, and their loved ones.

The topics include: Eating Well, Moving More, Managing Stress, Sleeping Well, Creating a Healing Environment, Sharing Love and Support, Exploring What Matters Now, and Expressing Oneself.

For each topic, we will have two expert speakers. One will provide a clear and concise review of the science behind the given topic: what we do and do not know about the topic, the impact of this practice on cancer-related quality of life and mortality specifically, and national recommendations for action. The second speaker will “translate” this information into an action plan (e.g., provide user-friendly tips about how to integrate this aspect of healing into your daily life). At the end, there will be time for a question and answer period.


Did You Know? will be hosted Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • April 21 – Sleeping Well
    • with Brian Gonzalez, PhD (Moffitt Cancer Center) and Julienne Bower, PhD (University of California, Los Angeles)
  • May 19 – Finding Social Support
    • with Barbara Andersen, PhD (Ohio State University) and Susan Lutgendorf, PhD (University of Iowa)

In honor of our 25th Anniversary in 2021, we are suggesting donations for this series in fractions or multiples of the number “25.” E.G. $2.50, $12.50, $25, etc.


About Brian Gonzalez, PhD

Brian Gonzalez is an Associate Member at Moffitt Cancer Center, where he studies sleep and other quality of life issues in cancer survivors. He works to identify which survivors are at greatest risk of sleep disturbance and how to improve sleep in cancer survivors.
Dr. Gonzalez is passionate about helping minority and underserved cancer survivors improve their quality of life. Too many cancer survivors are affected by quality of life issues that are preventable or treatable. Dr. Gonzalez’s research focuses on identifying which survivors are at greatest risk of these issues. He works with multidisciplinary teams to design studies that identify multilevel risk factors for decreased quality of life. Dr. Gonzalez also develops culturally targeted interventions to improve quality of life, using inexpensive and widely disseminable Health strategies.

About Julienne Bower, PhD

Dr. Bower’s research focuses broadly on mind-body interactions among individuals confronting stressful life events, particularly diagnosis with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. One area of her work examines immune effects on mood and behavior, including fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbance. Another line of research examines how positive psychological factors, such as benefit finding, positive affect, and goal engagement, influence physical health, with a focus on the biological pathways that link positive psychological states and health outcomes. Dr. Bower also conducts mind-body interventions (i.e., yoga, Tai Chi, and mindfulness meditation) with a focus on how these treatments influence immune and neuroendocrine function. 

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, you must register here or by emailing carla@smithcenter.org

with Candida DeLuise, LICSW (Smith Center for Healing and the Arts) and Paul Jacobsen, PhD (National Cancer Institute)

Did You Know?

Smith Center is pleased to announce the launch of a special series of talks designed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the center. Each of the talks will highlight one of eight healing practices that research and practice tell us is important to the health and well-being of cancer patients/survivors, and their loved ones.

The topics include: Eating Well, Moving More, Managing Stress, Sleeping Well, Creating a Healing Environment, Sharing Love and Support, Exploring What Matters Now, and Expressing Oneself.

For each topic, we will have two expert speakers. One will provide a clear and concise review of the science behind the given topic: what we do and do not know about the topic, the impact of this practice on cancer-related quality of life and mortality specifically, and national recommendations for action. The second speaker will “translate” this information into an action plan (e.g., provide user-friendly tips about how to integrate this aspect of healing into your daily life). At the end, there will be time for a question and answer period.


Did You Know? will be hosted Monthly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm.

Upcoming Dates: 

  • March 17 – Managing Stress
    • with Candida DeLuise, PhD and Paul Jacobsen, PhD, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD

In honor of our 25th Anniversary in 2021, we are suggesting donations for this series in fractions or multiples of the number “25.” E.G. $2.50, $12.50, $25, etc.


About Candida DeLuise, LICSW

Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy – Reiki, Energy work, Buddhist Psychology

As a contemplative psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience, Candida integrates mindfulness and psycho-spiritual approaches into the therapy process. She has worked with clients on transitions, relationships, trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness and aging issues. Creating a safe and nurturing space, she draws on mind-body awareness and Buddhist psychology. Candida is also a Reiki practitioner and life celebrant, crafting rituals to honor significant events. She is licensed in D.C. to officiate weddings and loves working with couples to create a custom ceremony that highlights their unique relationship. An experienced coach, consultant and Buddhist practitioner, Candida teaches meditation and leads workshops on mindfulness in everyday life. She works with artists in the creative process, and with individuals and groups committed to social change. She believes that as we reconnect to our inherent wisdom, we empower ourselves to live a more full and expansive life. 240-462-9550
candidadeluise@gmail.com

About Paul Jacobsen, PhD

Paul Jacobsen, PhD

Paul Jacobsen received his doctoral degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and completed post-doctoral training in psychosocial oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He was subsequently recruited to the Moffitt Cancer Center where he served as founding Chair of the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior and later as Associate Center Director for Population Science. For over 30 years, his research has focused on using knowledge from the behavioral and social sciences to understand and address quality of life and quality of care issues in oncology. Dr. Jacobsen is the author of more than 300 journal articles and has been the recipient of numerous research grants from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. In 2016, he entered public service as an Associate Director at the National Cancer Institute where he directs the Healthcare Delivery Research Program. In this position, he leads a team whose mission is to advance innovative research to improve the delivery of cancer-related care.