When Rick Porter was hospitalized in 2015, a young couple visited to brighten his day. After chatting at his bedside, Porter asked if they’d like to take a walk for a change of scenery – and greenery. Winding through the halls of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, with IV pole in tow, Porter led his friends across the Bridge of Hope to the Thea and James Stoneman Healing Garden.
It was a quiet weekend, and Porter, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma that April, relished the opportunity to connect with friends amid the tranquility and beauty of the garden. Over the years, the Stoneman Healing Garden has become a touchpoint for Porter, who now comes monthly for follow-up care.
"My mother loved gardening while I was growing up in Ohio, and she used to take me to a greenhouse near our home," recalls Porter, a former pastor and teacher. "The greenhouse had a particular smell that I loved, especially in the winter because it was a reminder that nature was growing even in the cold."
The Stoneman Healing Garden is dotted with lush greenery, soaring bamboo shoots, and elegant sculptures cradled under a blend of natural sunlight and soft lighting. When Porter visits the garden, the colors, variety, and fragrances of the plants evoke a sense of nostalgia and a feeling of respite.
"The first thing I always notice is the smell of the plants, which remind me of those trips to the greenhouse with my mother," says Porter. "The garden takes you out of the clinical environment of Dana-Farber. I experience a different calling there. It’s an invitation of hope, life, and growth."
When the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care opened in 2011, it was designed to enhance the patient experience and provide a welcoming natural space. Research shows that features such as green spaces, artwork, calming music, and access to natural light can lead to better patient outcomes.
A typical day managing the garden often begins with Olivia Mullen, manager of General Services, pruning dried leaves and ensuring the space is clean and tidy. Once a week, she meets with gardeners from Foliaire Inc who tend to the air plants, bamboo trees, and orchid bromeliads. Plants are rotated every 6-8 weeks, with colors and species that adapt to the seasons.
"The specific variation of plants was originally selected by a committee at Dana-Farber before the garden opened," explains Mullen. "Foliaire has followed these guidelines to provide a tranquil atmosphere. Over the years, the garden has matured and become a lush collection of plants and a peaceful retreat where patients, families, and staff can reflect, meditate, or simply take in the natural beauty."
For Porter, the garden is also a testament to how we care for patients in a holistic way. "Had they wanted to, staff could have turned those two stories into beautiful office space or infusion areas," he says. "Instead, Dana-Farber chose to make a statement by putting a garden there for people to find a different type of healing."
