February 11, 2005

CD library offers soothing music, inspires healing

A love of music and a favorite uncle who passed away prompted Nicole Zusman
to collect hundreds of CDs to create a music library for patients to enjoy at the MGH. Zusman, whose uncle suffered from Parkinson's disease, often visited him on the Neurological Inpatient Unit on Ellison 12 and would bring CDs to brighten his mood and help pass the time. Before Zusman's uncle died, he told her the music made him very happy. To honor her uncle's memory and as part of her community service commitment for her bat mitzvah, Zusman worked hard at collecting donations of CDs for the patients on Ellison 12.

On Jan. 28, Zusman watched her hard work pay off at the dedication of the William Zemsky Memorial Listening Library located on Ellison 12. With her family and her uncle's brother by her side, Zusman thanked everyone for helping make the library possible — including Bill Talentino, director of the MetroWest library in Sudbury, who helped collect CDs from libraries throughout Massachusetts; and Dan Lorraine, from Trans World Entertainment, who donated CD holders and players. Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse, and Ann Kennedy, RN, nurse manager on Ellison 12, also attended the dedication.

MGH bags are being used to hold a CD player and a book of CDs, ranging from classical to pop to music in foreign languages to children's music.

"I hope anyone who suffers from any type of neurological disease or is in the hospital having tests will use this library to make themselves feel comfortable and happier," said Zusman. "That is the reason I did this project Ð to remember my uncle and to help people."

Zusman with her parents and Ives Erickson