Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Simms Booth.
Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always had a heart for service and dedicated much of my career to non-profit work at organizations like the Children’s Defense Fund, Alliance for Justice and National Rainbow Coalition.
My life took an unexpected turn when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 and I began work at a new start-up non-profit FasterCures, a center of the Milken Institute. While being immersed into a whole new world of medical research and patient advocacy, I was also an only child watching my beloved mother live the rollercoaster of treatment and remission for eight years. My mother passed away in 2011 and I found a new calling – work in patient advocacy with a focus on cancer. After fourteen years at FasterCures, I spent two years working at the Biden Cancer Initiative and in 2019, I became the Executive Director at the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts located on U Street NW in Washington, DC. When I learned about the work of Smith Center, I saw a place that could have helped my mom and a place where I could have spoken of my feelings as a caregiver that I couldn’t, wouldn’t say out loud. I saw a place of community and hope and I wanted to be part of it. The mission really touched my heart because I knew the power of its mission.
Getting a cancer diagnosis is shattering – not just for the patient but for the family as well. It can feel so lonely and scary. Smith Center is a bright spot, a partner in that journey, a light in the darkness.
Our mission is to provide whole-person care and support—with a focus on the unique needs of people with cancer, their caregivers, and healthcare providers—that nurtures healing and wellness through integrative and arts-based practices, programs, gallery exhibitions and community events. We offer all our programs free or low-cost because we never want money to be a barrier to getting care and support.
I remember how I felt the day my mom told me of her diagnosis and I want those that face that news today to know there is a place for them to find community hope and healing. Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is that place.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Between the cuts to social services and government funding, as well as the declines in foundation grants and individual giving – we are working against strong headwinds. That said, as the healthcare landscape changes, our work is even more important. As access to much-needed whole-person care gets more difficult, organizations like Smith Center can and must fill those gaps, but we need the financial resources to maintain our services. We are working tirelessly to ensure that our community has access to our support groups, patient navigation, yoga and nutrition programs.
Since 2019, our funding has decreased by 34% at the same time the number of people we served has quadrupled. Cancer will not stop – there will be 319,000 new cases diagnosed this year. We want to be there to help those living with a cancer diagnosis but the combination of financial cuts and changes to health care coverage and access, will create a perfect storm that could hinder us from serving those that need us the most.
We’ve just kicked off our Giving Tuesday/End of Year fundraising campaign, you can support us at smithcenter.org.
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As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work in the non-profit sector – Smith Center is a non-profit organization that unites arts and integrative wellness, with a focus on those impacted by cancer. Through classes and programs, emotional support services, and patient navigation we create space for healing, community, and empowerment. Further, we extend our offerings to the broader community through our art gallery and events.
Smith Center is guided by the belief that healing is always possible, even when a cure is not. Our work is to create the conditions that support one’s ability to tap into their inner capacity to heal, and to live as well as possible.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have had many mentors that have guided my path – too many to mention, but I will highlight Greg Simon and Margaret Anderson (my bosses at FasterCures) as well as my amazing colleagues at FasterCures, Biden Cancer Initiative, and my current team at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts. This work is not easy and it is important to have a support network to help navigate the challenges.
None of the work would be possible without our amazing community at Smith Center. I stand in awe of the courage, vulnerability and commitment to supporting each other that I see every day. It sounds cliché but they are the wind beneath my wings. I can face the challenges of leading a non-profit because of their words about our impact on their lives – here’s a sampling of those comments –
“I felt like I was seen and validated. The sense of community was wonderful.”
“I feel more confident in dealing with the difficult feelings that can come with cancer.”
“I appreciate the community and caring space to process difficult feelings and turn them into healing and joy.”
“I appreciate the content, and the balance of scientific and practical information. This program will modify the way I eat and my approach to healthy meals.”
“I am so very very grateful that the community of teachers, participants, and all the admin structure that makes it all possible have come together to help us heal. It is truly a gift!
On days when my heart is heavy, I think of our amazing community and I am lifted up. Of course, I need to mention my parents whose love, guidance and wisdom are always with me. None of this would be possible without the love and support of my husband who understands that this is not just my job, but it’s my life’s work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smithcenter.org/
- Instagram: @smithcenterdc
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SmithCenterDC
