The Marshall Foundation for Community Health (MFCH) hosted a celebration to honor the completion of the Janet Nachtman Cancer Center Healing Garden. The facility is in the Marshall Cancer Center, a UC Davis Health affiliate.

The Marshall Foundation for Community Health (MFCH) hosted a celebration to honor the completion of the Janet Nachtman Cancer Center Healing Garden. The facility is in the Marshall Cancer Center, a UC Davis Health affiliate. The celebration was held on September 26. The site was once a bare dirt field but has now been transformed into a garden; Marshall officials said the project is the result of years of planning, planting and a joint community effort. The Healing Garden was supported by volunteers and donors to Marshall, through the MFCH. At the center of the garden stands a steel pergola, designed and created by Marshall's Chief Ambulatory Officer, Jonathan Russell. Glass art pieces, commissioned through a gift from Terese Clusiau in honor of her late father, Patrick Clusiau, who received his cancer treatment at Marshall, bring color to the space. The garden honors Janet Nachtman, a longtime El Dorado County resident and wife of former Marshall CEO Frank Nachtman. Janet passed away from cancer in 2003. Marshall officials said Nachtman's vision and passion to find a better pathway for cancer patients laid the foundation for the Cancer Center itself. The Healing Garden aims to continue her legacy by offering patients undergoing transfusion and chemotherapy a therapeutic space to view and enjoy. Kat Olah, Marshall Infusion Center Charge Nurse, shared, "This garden brings peace and comfort to our patients and their families. It symbolizes hope and healing, giving patients a sense of calm during some of the most challenging times of their lives." Mindy Danovaro, Executive Director of MFCH, said, "You can feel the love and care that went into every detail of this garden. It reflects the generosity of our community and honors Janet's vision while bringing strength and comfort to the patients we serve." For questions or to make a donation, call 530-642- 9984 or email Kara Sather at ksather@marshallmedical.org.