On Tuesdays and Thursdays, patients, visitors, and staff at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell, Iowa, hear the echoes of healing music throughout patient care areas.
You might hear the song, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” or “What a Wonderful World,” but the song you are most likely to hear is, “Amazing Grace.” And it is amazing and grace-filled when Chloe Yates, a first-year work-study student at Grinnell College, is making the rounds and taking requests from patients.
“She brings joy and relaxation for all of us, patients and caregivers,” says Gayle Johnson, RN. “I know she helps staff members as much as the patients.”
Yates goes into the emergency department, the intensive care unit, and the inpatient areas to ask if any patients or family members might benefit from a song of their choice. Without any accompaniment, she sings a few verses of a favorite song.
While Yates was looking at her options for community service through the Grinnell College Work-Study Program, she learned that GRMC was looking for people to do healing music.
“I love to sing,” Yates says. “It brings such joy and I have met so many wonderful people. It is very enjoyable for me, too.”
“We know that music can alter our emotions,” says Cory Jackson, GRMC director of wellness services. Jackson coordinates optimal healing therapies at GRMC and coordinates Chloe’s time at GRMC. “Music can be very therapeutic and fits in with all the other therapies we provide with pets, massage, essential oils, and spiritual care,” Jackson says. “It is a wonderful gift she provides.”
After singing, Yates records her activity with each patient in their chart. Her singing counts as an activity for skilled care patients. It also allows GRMC to track any benefits that may result for the patient such as a decreased need for pain medication and increases in patient satisfaction.
Even without hard data, it is clear that Yates is making a difference.
Yates recently visited a hospice patient in their home who had been unresponsive for some time. Before Yates sang, the family felt that they—and not the patient—would be getting the benefit of her music because they thought their loved one would be unaware of the music. While Yates sang, the patient squeezed a family member’s hand a couple of times.
Another time, Yates sang the ABCs with siblings in the Kintzinger Women’s Health Center to give the older children some special time.
Caregivers and support staff take a moment from their busy schedules to listen outside the door. That moment also offers GRMC staff a moment of tranquility.
“She brightens our day,” Johnson says. “Our patients love it. We all look forward to her time with us.”
Yates’ time at GRMC is made possible through the Federal Work-Study/Community Service Program at Grinnell College. This program is an opportunity for students to earn their financial aid award while working at a community non-profit organization or in the local schools.
Students on Work-Study can serve as a link between the non-profit organization and the campus to raise awareness of community needs and encourage participation from other students and campus groups.
“It is easy to get stuck in the bubble of a college campus,” Yates says. “This is a great opportunity for me to get involved in the community. I’m meeting people and having experiences I would not otherwise have. It has been really great.”
Watch the video from KCCI
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