Boone Powell Sr. Luncheon highlights Arts in Medicine program
Throughout history, pictures, stories, dances, music and drama have been central to healing. Research indicates that music can decrease pain, nausea and anxiety; lowers blood pressure; and stabilizes heart rates.
According to JaeJeung So, art therapist at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, art therapy also has a healing effect, stating,“ With serious illnesses, patients feel they have little control over their diseases and / or their lives. Art therapy allows them to gain a degree of freedom by putting on canvas what words can’ t explain, literally allowing them to see what they are feeling.”
Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, with the assistance of several generous friends, is helping to connect patients here, with the healing power of arts.
For example,“ Certified Music Practitioners are specially trained musicians providing live music at patients’ bedsides to bring physical, emotional and spiritual comfort,” said Tony Arant, certified music practitioner.“ In 2015, we averaged 300 monthly patient requests. Today, we receive over 2,000 monthly requests, so our three music practitioners meet less than 30 percent of our patients’ needs.”
The Arts in Medicine program at Baylor Dallas is a philanthropically funded initiative created for the purpose of integrating music, visual arts, performing arts and research to promote healing and to enhance the lives of our patients, families, visitors, clinicians and employees.
The vision of Arts in Medicine program is to:
• Fully integrate the music, therapeutic, literary, visual and performing arts into our clinical care to promote healing and enhance the lives of all those we serve
• Investigate the use of arts in healing through clinical research
• Build community partnerships around arts, health and medicine As word spreads about the positive impact these services have, the demand from our patients and caregivers is outpacing our ability to meet those needs.
The Arts in Medicine program was the featured topic at the eighth annual Boone Powell Sr. Society Luncheon in May. The Boone Powell Senior Society was created to honor those who have made commitments
Tony Arant, Sara Chigani, Rowland K. Robinson, Dr. James Fleshman, Kelly Crayton and JaeJeung So
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