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A review by Bill Pogue
October 27, 2009 (La Mesa)--Grossmont Hospital Chief of Staff Michael Musicant M.D. recognized that the pace and structure of the medical practice today is stressful and tends to isolation of practitioners, compared to 30 years ago. So he set up a "Happiness committee" dedicated to getting staff together around social projects. Six have been organized so far. One donated back packs to needy school kids. Another exhibited art created by thephysicians, attracting attendance by 170 doctors and their families.
On Tuesday, September 17, about 150 Doctors, staff, and family gathered on the lawn behind the mental rehab facility as the sun set, enjoying two hours of music of all sorts performed by Grossmont Hospital physicians.
Bina Adigopula, M.D. sang "I'll Always Love You", and "Orange Colored Sky" beautifully, Sherry Braheny, M.D. played a flute gavotte; Jenna Liu, M.D. a concert level violinist did the Meditation from 'Thais" by Jules Massenet enchantingly. Others who also performed wonderfully were Erwin Handley, M.D. vocals and guitar, Jeffrey Marxen, M.D. on baroque trumpet, and Michael Long, M.D. sang Nessan Dorma.
The fabulous finale featured the Soul Purpose Band, with Erwin Handley, M.D.on guitar, vocalist Joyce Lafitte, R.N., Ira Moscowitz, M.D. on drums, Lou Giordano, R.T. lead guitar, Jeff Marxen, M.D. trumpet, Brian Moore, M.D. on trombone, and Tom Kilcheski, M.D.on saxophone.
The event had outdoor tables, good appetizers, and a very appreciative audience. Happiness was widespread. Marc Kobernick, M.D. served as emcee and introductory words were given by the Grossmont/Sharp Hospital Administrator Michelle Tarbet.
Comments
Music as Medicine
The subject of ’music as medicine’ has achieved very much attention in recent years, mainly because of the remarkable research in this area.
With this comment I just want to contribute with a bit of information about the specially designed and clinically documented music program ‘MusiCure-music as medicine’ by the Danish composer Niels Eje. As project coordinator and musician (cello) I have been involved in both the creation and the research, which have been going on in Scandinavia since 1998. Controlled clinical tests and studies have, among a lot of other positive effects, shown that MusiCure can reduce our body’s production of stress hormone cortisol significantly, and diminish the use of pain medicine (morphine) in school-aged children who had undergone surgery – and generally provide inspiration and motivation to people seeking a tool for relaxation and stress relief in everyday life.
For more information see: http://www.musicahumana.org/eng/ (the research behind the music) and www.musicure.com (about the music and the composer) – see also a concentrated version of the whole story about MusiCure in a 5 minute documentary at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IePmixldH5c