Dear Dartmouth Cancer Center Community,
As we move into 2026, our commitment here at Dartmouth Cancer Center’s (DCC) Complementary Care Program remains the same: to support the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—from the moment of diagnosis and beyond.
Over the past year, our virtual and in-person programs were used more than 25,000 times! That’s an average of over 68 opportunities each day for patients and care partners to pause, breathe, reflect, move, create, and feel supported during an often-challenging time. Each of those moments represents a person choosing care—not just medical care, but care that promotes emotional well-being, connection, and quality of life. As one patient reflected, “I credit [Dartmouth Health]'s medical team with saving my life, but the Complementary Care Program has been invaluable for my family and me. I so appreciate this.”
Our vision is to offer whole-person wellness services where every cancer patient and care partner has access to personalized support that builds community, enhances quality of life, and helps manage symptoms.
We’re excited to continue growing our program to reflect this vision and respond to the needs of our community.
Here is just some of what’s in store for the year ahead.
Introducing health and well-being coaching
One of our most anticipated new offerings for 2026 is Health and Well-Being Coaching. This evidence-based, person-centered approach supports individuals in making sustainable changes that align with what matters most to them.
In one-on-one coaching sessions, participants choose the areas they’d like to focus on, such as:
- Physical activity and fitness
- Nutrition and lifestyle
- Sleep and rest
- Mental and emotional well-being
- Fulfillment and purpose.
Coaches partner with participants to help them set goals, stay motivated, and make changes that feel realistic and sustainable. We hope this service will help cancer survivors feel more empowered and supported as they navigate life after a cancer diagnosis.
New virtual classes for 2026
We’re also introducing two new virtual classes this year:
Be Your Own Health and Wellness Coach: Empowering Change from Within
Led by Beth Violette, oncology dietitian and certified health and well-being coach, this interactive class invites participants to create a personal wellness vision and set meaningful, values-based goals. Participants will learn practical strategies to tap into strengths, motivation, and support systems to sustain lasting health and well-being.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) 101 for Stress Relief
Also known as “tapping,” EFT is a gentle mind-body practice that uses acupressure points to help reduce stress and anxiety. Certified Practitioner and Yoga Therapist Ann Biese will introduce this accessible technique and share ways to incorporate it into daily routines for greater calm and mental clarity.
Continued offerings
Several newer classes introduced over the past year will continue into 2026, including:
Advance Care Planning: It’s About the Conversation
Learn the vocabulary, reflect on your values, choose a healthcare agent, explore treatment goals, and take the first steps toward completing an advance directive. Jennifer McCalley, LSW, will lead this thought-provoking conversation to help make your wishes known.
Connect and Restore: A Virtual Nature Journey
Join Certified Forest Guide Belinda Chiu, PhD, ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy), for a guided meditation through the natural world. We’ll discover simple, thoughtful ways to awaken the senses, restore meaningful relationships with ourselves, and add calming, restorative benefits to daily life. Access to a window view of trees or a garden is helpful. No hiking boots required!
Discover Comfort and Relief with Essential Oils
Discover how essential oils can bring comfort to both body and mind. Christina Rothstein, owner of Evergreen + Well, a business that focuses on natural living, aromatherapy, family and home, will provide practical usage tips and safety information to help you incorporate aromatherapy into your wellness routine. An essential oil sample pack will be mailed to all participants to use during the workshop.
Gratitude and looking ahead
We are deeply grateful to the Friends of DCC for their continued fundraising efforts through The Prouty and other events, which allow all Complementary Care Program classes, groups, and services to be offered at no cost to patients and their care partners.
We remain committed to working with clinical teams, community partners, and, most importantly, patients and care partners. Your voices and experiences continue to guide the growth and evolution of our program.
The 2026 Complementary Care Program Guide and Winter/Spring 2026 Calendar, with dates and times for all virtual classes, are available on the Dartmouth Cancer Center website. You can also find print copies in 2K and 3K at DHMC.
We welcome your questions and feedback. Please email us at cancersupport@hitchcock.org or call 603-650-7751.
With gratitude and optimism for 2026,
Heather Allin
Program Manager, Complementary Care Program
Michelle Davis
Program Specialist, Complementary Care Program