A Song for Patients
How music changed one patient’s care and her life
When Peggy Mangan came to UMHS from the small town of Caseville, Mich., for cancer treatment, she wasn’t sure she’d ever leave the hospital. Diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, an incurable illness, doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant.
The bedside music program fostered Peggy Mangan’s interest in playing the harp.“It was a solemn moment,” Mangan says. “I was told that it could be a bad outcome.”
Because Mangan was so far from home, another patient’s wife arranged for bedside music during the bone marrow transplant. Bedside music is part of the Gifts of Art Program and harpist Julie Hussar, a clinical musician, plays at the bedside of around 15 patients on a given day.
“The music did help me through the procedure,” Mangan says. “Julie would come to my room every day. I loved the music and thought I might like to try it some time.”
Mangan was so inspired that she began taking harp lessons after leaving the hospital. She even commissioned her instructor to write a song in honor of the care she received on 8A.
“I’m a registered nurse and found the care to be outstanding,” she says. “Everyone was so nice and the bedside music was wonderful. I was lonely. I really looked forward to Julie coming and playing.”
Hussar explains that music can be a welcome respite for patients. “It gives them an opportunity to have some mental relief. Some patients tell me the music reminds them of other, more positive things in their lives.”
As for Mangan, playing the harp has given her a new focus. She is currently in remission and enjoys every minute with her family and her music.
Inside View Editorial Advisory Group
Constance Bridges, Office of the Dean, Medical School
Paula Greeno, Office of the EVPMA
Judy Hallberg, S.P.H.R., UMMS Human Resources
Kelly, UMHS Human Resources
Erin Koenigsknecht, UMHS Marketing Communications
Eric Kratochwill, UMHHC Office of the CEO
Allison Krieger, Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Rick Krupinski, Editor, Medicine at Michigan
Alisa Morningstar, UMHS, MFit Health Promotion
Sara Nielsen, Safety Management Services
Tammy Nipper, UMMS Human Resources
Juanita Parry, Nurse Recruitment & Retention
Steve Raymond, UMHHC Leadership & Staff Development
Karen Schlueter, Livonia Health Center
Carole Strong, House Officers Association
Staff
Michael Harrison, chief public relations and marketing officer
Kara Gavin, director of public relations
Beth Johnson, editor and senior writer
Jessica Soulliere, assistant editor
Margarita Bauza, public relations representative
Jennifer Day, senior health care writer
Cathy Mellett, contributing writer
Corrie Feldkamp, contributing writer
Juliet Fuller, photography coordinator
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