April 13, 2007

Vincent Club offers musical afternoon

Over the past year, three talented young musicians have been offering their time to play for the patients on the Bigelow 7 gynecology unit. The Musicales are a group from the Boston Conservatory of Music who each week provide an hour of instrumental music, treating patients to the distinct and beautiful sounds of the harp, classical guitar and the marimba. Funding for this musical interlude is provided by the Vincent Memorial Hospital Board of Managers.

Above, a member of The Musicales performs on the marimba.

According to Coleen Caster, RN, C; MN; FNP; the unit's nursing director, "Our patients tell us they feel more at ease and calmer when the musicians are performing." Caster also noted that the sessions have a positive impact on the patients, saying that there is a significant drop in their blood pressures and respiratory rates during and for a period after each performance. The Musicales also have influenced the nursing staff on Bigelow 7, who say they also feel more relaxed when the group performs.