Changing lives with guitars and Whole Health

We often refer to things that sound great as being “Music to our Ears.” This saying became reality when an inpatient Veteran at Eastern Oklahoma VA was presented with a guitar by members of the Whole Health team, Highly Innovative Transformation Team (H.I.T.T.) and Guitar Heroes group.

It all started when Aida Berrios, nursing assistant, found joy in watching Veterans in her unit engage with others during the weekly Guitar Heroes segment.

Guitar Heroes was developed by Lee Mclain, Patient Experience officer for H.I.T.T., when he saw the impact music was having on Veterans. He started playing guitar around Muskogee VA to help brighten their day. He recruited other VA staff with a passion for playing and singing to join in. Guitar Heroes soon become part of the regular programming for the unit.

Significant progress with each interaction

While Guitar Heroes is received well by both Veterans and staff, Berrios noticed a significant impact on one Veteran in particular who responded strongly to music. Playing the guitar allowed the Veteran to engage in therapeutic offerings in a meaningful way. She contacted Dr. Nathan Williams, Whole Health Clinical director, to see if it would be possible to provide the Veteran with a guitar to play as part of their on-going therapy. Berrios and fellow staff had noticed significant progress over time with each Guitar Heroes interaction.

She felt that if the Veteran had a guitar of their own, it could help improve their quality of life. Dr. Williams, also a member of guitar heroes, had seen first-hand the progress the Veteran had made and was eager to help. He had just the guitar in mind, courtesy of another Veteran who had been a part of a previous Whole Health music therapy experience called Guitars for Vets.

Katelynn Quinn, music therapist, worked closely with several music-based therapy projects to bring more offerings to Veterans. A previous collaboration with the Muskogee Art Guild and Challenge America aimed to place hand-painted guitars into the hands of Eastern Oklahoma Veterans. One Veteran who had experienced the positive impact of creative expression on their health and well-being wanted to pay-it-forward to reach another Veteran who could benefit by donating the guitar they had received.

Songs a tribute to music therapy

When Williams, Mclain and members of the Whole Health team delivered the guitar to the unit and presented it to the Veteran in person, the reaction was priceless. “This was a very humbling moment for everyone involved as it touched each one of us in a therapeutic manner,” said McLain. “It was a complete surprise to the Veteran and they were so appreciative of the gift.”

Following the presentation of the donated guitar, the Veteran played some songs they wrote as a tribute to music therapy and the appreciation of the care received at the health care system.

“It’s moments like this and wonderful programs like these which really highlight our I CARE Values and dedication to our nation’s Veterans. This is how we do it here,” said McLain.