September 4, 2011
Music is in the air at the UCI Medical Center located in Orange, California. For any curious passersby, following the source of music will reveal that the melody is coming from a volunteer of the hospital’s Music to Heal program. Music to Heal, which is a program dedicated to improving the well-being of hospital patients with music, is fairly new and is still expanding. Volunteers for this program can be of any age as long as they are eager to perform for patients to help facilitate their recovery. There are currently seventeen volunteers who are scheduled for maximum coverage throughout the week.
Michelle Sinclair, the volunteer recruiter and coordinator of UCI Medical Center’s Music to Heal program recently recounted how everything began. Sinclair recalled that Victor Yoon, an adult volunteer of the hospital, called her informing her that he had created music programs and asked her if she wanted to become involved and help select individuals who could play musical instruments, to which she enthusiastically agreed. A mass email was sent out to all the volunteers of the UCI Medical Center at the time and thus music therapy at the hospital was initiated. Later on, a medical student named Matthew Fradkin, contacted Sinclair and said that he was involved in another music therapy program called Music to Heal. The two joined forces and still collaborate to this day. Ten months ago, the UCI Medical Center joined the ranks of hospitals offering the Music to Heal program.
Not surprisingly, Music to Heal has been received at the UCI Medical Center with enthusiasm, not only by patients but also by the doctors, nurses, other volunteers, and passersby. According to Ann Davis, a Nurse Manager at UCI, “it’s not just the patients, but the staff as well who enjoy the music. It is a diversion for them and it’s very relaxing.” The patients report that their breathing became more relaxed and that the presence of music made it easier for them to sleep. She believes that listening to music also helps people cope with any pain or loneliness that they might feel while being hospitalized. Davis also stated that people enjoy hearing music so much that from time to time a nurse will call and request that the performing volunteer come and play music on that nurse’s floor. Nurses and doctors also frequently request music for patients with cancer treatments, seizure problems, or who are in intensive care. Music to Heal is also a joy for the student volunteers who perform. Ricki Worth, a high-school volunteer, says, “I really like it. Many people come and watch us.” On the whole, Music to Heal is a truly amazing program that is appreciated by all who have the opportunity to experience its healing powers. Anyone who is interested in joining the program can contact Michelle Sinclair at michelle.sinclair@uci.edu or call her at 714-456-6551.
In addition to volunteer music therapy, Music to Heal provides instruments, volunteer instructors, and mp3 players for patients at several Southern California hospitals and health clinics. More information about Music to Heal can be found at musictoheal.org
