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.

Guitar presentation
Lee McLain, patient experience officer (left) and Dr. Nathan Williams, whole health clinical director (second from left) present Aida Berrios, nursing assistant (center) with the hand-painted guitar for a Veteran in her unit. Also in the photo (l-r) are Tiffani Mathews, employee whole health coordinator and Charles Olsen, whole health partner.

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.  

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12 Comments

  1. Lorenzo Perez June 4, 2024 at 14:32

    I am a homebound Vietnam Veteran…I enjoyed reading about your program and was curious as to whether the program was available in my state of Oregon.I am a caregiver to my wife Bonnie and would like to cheer her up…do you have a used guitar you can donate to us…

  2. Karen Dunn May 20, 2024 at 09:20

    For information on the Guitars for Vets 501c3 nonprofit organization, go to http://www.guitars4vets.org. Use the drop down menu, Find A Chapter, to locate a chapter near you. If there is no chapter within 40 miles of you, you may qualify for the Cyber Chapter.

  3. Rigo Vindiola May 16, 2024 at 16:30

    Is this Guitar for Vets Program available in San Diego Calif??

  4. Katrina Bowser May 16, 2024 at 04:23

    I too am very much interested in the ‘Guitars for Vets’ program. It’s been some time since I first heard about it but lost the information. All attempts to search for it left me empty handed. Please contact me with the info I need or point me in the right direction. Thank you, kindly! P.S. I’m a Navy Vet.

  5. Tim Hagan May 15, 2024 at 23:24

    I am a veteran and a guitarist. I really enjoyed this article! Learning to play an instrument is pure therapy! I would encourage anyone to pick up a guitar and start learning. With YouTube you can accelerate your learning for no charge! Playing an instrument is its own reward! Happy learning and playing my veteran brothers and sisters! ????

  6. Brigitte Breuker May 15, 2024 at 23:13

    I would like to learn guitar to help my PTSD. Is this available in Michigan?

  7. Jeff N Short May 15, 2024 at 18:01

    I think the guitar program sounds fantastic. I began playing when I was 10. Served one tour in the army, and then became a social worker. At 61 I still have a passion for the guitar. I must say music has truly enriched my life and the lives of many others. Sounds like a very special program. I used it in different ministry applications including hospice. It is a wonderful gift…

  8. Carol Miller May 10, 2024 at 10:43

    I am a widow of a veteran and I am a veteran too. I sure could use something like this to occupy my time. Is this guitar program available in Iowa?

  9. Charles Smith May 9, 2024 at 12:29

    Hi….what a beautiful program…..I am the sole care giver for my wife who is bedridden and I have idle time on my hands to learn an instrument and would like to know where can I ask for a donated instrument……your help would be greatly appreciated

  10. Richard Freymuth May 8, 2024 at 23:30

    Great ! Is their a program for me to join in Austin TX I THINK this can be helpfully for my depression. Thank you for reaching.

  11. William DuBrosky May 8, 2024 at 20:19

    Awesome!! I have my Dads guitar, I can’t even play a radio.

  12. Robert May 8, 2024 at 16:27

    How can I get involve with this program as a veteran?

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