Program Promotes Healing Through Music

The holidays are quickly approaching. There are deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, family things and more. All of these worries compile into a tremendous mountain of stress for most of us in our day-to-day lives, especially for me – until the morning of Dec. 9.

I was having a challenging morning, but all that melted away when I entered the lobby of the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center. Angelic sights and sounds filled the room. Two young girls, Hannah and Kaila Geissinger, were sharing with us their musical talents on the harp, viola and keyboard.

I watched as the room began to fill with cancer patients and their caregivers, volunteers, associates, nurses and medical staff. I counted 20 people at one point and we all shared a song and a joyful moment. I even saw some folks tearing up, including myself.

After a couple of songs the crowd quietly went on to their day, smiling and a bit more reflective as a new audience took their seats. My entire day was rejuvenated, which is my hope for others encountering the Healing Arts Program at Martin Memorial.

Martin Memorial has partnered with the Arts Council of Martin County to bring music therapy into the main lobbies of the Medical Center, Hospital South and the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center for three weeks in December.

The Arts Council of Martin County made arrangements with many local musicians, both students and professionals, to share their time and talents with visitors, patients and caregivers. Audiences can expect a variety of performances, including vocalists and carolers, as well as instrumental accompaniment, including piano, violin and cello ensembles.

If you need a break from your stresses, or you are coming to visit a patient, please feel welcome to enjoy this therapeutic atmosphere. Release your tensions, be soothed by the music and share your joy with your friends and family. I know I did last Tuesday.

The music will be available at select locations through Dec. 22. That includes:

• Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m., in the main lobby of Martin Memorial Hospital South, 2100 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart
• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon, in the main lobby of the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, 501 E. Osceola St., Stuart
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5-7 p.m. in the main lobby of the Martin Memorial Medical Center, 200 S.E. Hospital Ave., Stuart

--Tori Savard
Community Outreach/Events Coordinator