The healing power of music

"Music connects me to people wherever I go," says Dunmore violinist Mark Woodyatt. As part of Geisinger's community music program, Mark's performed more than 20 times with fellow musician Jacob Cole for patients and families in Geisinger's intensive care units. Mark recalls an unforgettable night when he played for a renowned pianist and conductor who had worked with icons like Frank Sinatra. "In my heart, I felt this was my best performance ever," Mark says. "I looked around after the last note, and along with the grateful, smiling faces of the family there, his doctor shared that the patient's vitals had fluttered. He was responsive.”

That doctor was critical care physician Dr. Laurie Loiacono. “I don’t think you can overestimate how beneficial seemingly little things like music or art therapy or pet therapy can be to the patients we care for in the ICU," she says. "I’ve seen moments like this with a number of the musicians who come here to play. That bit of beauty and humanity touches not just the patients or their families, but all of us who are present for them.”  #GeisingerStories