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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org   

Music community, Enloe collaborate to bring performances to patients

CHICO, Calif., Nov. 12, 2008 – Live performances are now scheduled for patients, visitors and staff at Enloe Medical Center thanks to the medical center’s recent partnerships with California State University, Chico’s School of Arts and Chico Performances.

The CSU, Chico music department and the medical center worked together to create a new class called “Music for Healing and Wellness,” which brings music students to perform at Enloe. Also, a partnership with Chico Performances brings award-winning performers to the medical center.

“Music can make a difference in patients’ health and recovery,” said Lynda Sezon, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and rehabilitation therapy supervisor at Enloe. “Some of the benefits of music are that it can be used to enhance overall mood, promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and stress, and supplement other pain control methods.”

Eleven students enrolled in the “Music for Healing and Wellness” class this semester have been performing in the main lobby of the hospital, at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center and the Enloe Rehabilitation Center. They give solo and duo performances on standard classical pieces and their own compositions with keyboard, guitar and vocals, and harp and flute.

“This class allows the students to see how their music can touch people and what it can do for someone’s spirit,” said Keith Seppanen, CSU, Chico’s music department chair and professor of the class. “They can use their music for a healing purpose, and it changes the students’ mindsets.”

As part of the Chico Performances collaboration, Enloe co-sponsored the Soweto Gospel Choir’s performance in Laxson Auditorium on Oct. 12. The following day, several members of the Grammy award-winning group spent an hour at the medical center singing for patients, visitors, employees and physicians. Accompanied by traditional African drum beats, the group visited each of the medical center’s four floors. Rich in harmony and spirit, the group’s performance brought tears of joy and smiling faces to those in attendance and had others catching the elevator so not to miss the next performance. Also, Enloe is co-sponsoring rhythm master Joe Craven on April 30, 2009, courtesy of Chico Performances. Craven will also play for patients and staff during his Chico visit.

The musical collaborations are a part of the new Planetree initiative at Enloe. Planetree focuses on patient-centered care, and healing and nurturing the body, mind and spirit. Along with scheduling live performances, Enloe recently implemented a new music system that pipes in relaxing, recorded music throughout the medical center.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.