June 21, 2002
Music to their ears: pediatric resident gives gift of music to seriously ill children
Sixteen-year-old
Justin Imbriglio (far left) has been a guitarist for more than five years and can
play almost any song requested. Raffi Tachdjian, MD, (near left) a pediatric resident,
has been performing and writing music most of his life. So when the two
met last year, they had much to talk about. Justin had been a patient
many times at MassGeneral
Hospital for Children with an osteosarcoma, which is a type of bone
cancer. On one particular admission, he was without his guitar. As both
a physician and musician, Tachdjian knew first-hand the benefits that
music can bring seriously ill patients. Touched by Justin's love for music,
Tachdjian was able to find a guitar for Justin to play during his stay
in the hospital. Seeing Justin play his guitar inspired Tachdjian to bring
the gift of music to chronically ill pediatric patients.
After meeting Justin, Tachdjian realized that when young children are hospitalized, MGH staff members give them a teddy bear as a companion. Older children, who have outgrown teddy bears, usually don't receive a similar gift. Tachdjian approached MARS Music Store in Somerville and told them of his idea: to provide musical instruments to pediatric patients. MARS took an immediate interest in the project and donated a keyboard, a guitar and several percussion instruments. The donation was a start to the project but hardly enough to provide all patients with an instrument.
Tachdjian took the project one step further. He gathered some of the music he has written over the years and produced a CD called Reflectronic, which features music using a synthesizer, drum and piano. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will go directly toward purchasing musical instruments for chronically ill MGH patients. "A musical instrument can be a companion when a parent can't be there," says Tachdjian. "My ultimate goal is to produce another CD and eventually have enough funds to provide a musical instrument to all patients at MassGeneral Hospital for Children."
According to Tachdjian, music also has other benefits for patients. "Brain imaging studies show that music affects the same regions of the brain that control math skills, memory and coordination," he says. "Most sick children spend their evenings in the hospital playing video games or watching TV. Exposing them to music, however, can help with their sadness, pain and overall coping mechanisms and can be helpful in the healing process."
The CD will be available beginning in July at the MGH General Store. For more information about the CD or to make a donation to this project, contact Tachdjian at (617) 270-5431.