A Day in The Life

Intern Visit to Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine

The Health Museum’s summer interns embarked on a field trip to the Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM). This visit was an opportunity for our interns to gain firsthand experience and insights into the integration of arts in healthcare settings, a core component of The Health Museum’s Healing Arts Program.

The day began in Crain Garden while a pianist filled the room with soothing sounds as the group learned about ways the arts have been integrated into the hospital to create a healing environment, enhancing patient care and support.

Crain Garden at Houston Methodist, photo courtesy of Houston Methodist

The afternoon was dedicated to a deeper exploration of Art Therapy and Music Therapy. Several board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) and an art therapist (ATR) shared their experiences working with various patient populations such as transplants, psychiatry, palliative care, outpatient infusion, and inpatient rehab.

Each session demonstrated the profound impact that art and music therapy can have on patients’ recovery, engagement, and well-being.  The interns were able to observe the collaborative nature of the work between music therapists and other healthcare professionals, and the passion each one held.

The visit to CPAM was a transformative experience for our student interns. It not only broadened their understanding of how arts can be integrated into healthcare but also inspired them to think creatively about their future roles in healthcare. As the day ended, the interns were filled with a deeper understanding of their potential impact and a renewed passion for the arts in health.

This field trip was just one of the many ways The Health Museum’s Healing Arts Program is preparing the next generation of leaders in the field of arts and health. We are excited to see how our interns will apply these learnings in their future endeavors!

A Special Thank You to Our Guides

  • Shay Kulha, MBA, MFA
  • Virginia Gray, MT-BC
  • Caroline Docwra
  • Demetria Morris, BA, MA
  • Marissa Salinas, MT-BC
  • Sarah Rossi, MM, MT-BC
  • Jonathan Silbert, MHA, MM, MT-BC, NMT Affiliate
  • Jacque Browm, MMT, MT-BC
  • Alexandra Purdy, MA, ATR, LPC-Associate

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