This 12 months marks the 25th anniversary of the Park Nicollet music therapy internship program. This system began three years after Dawn Miller, the present music therapy practice program manager, introduced the thought of music therapy and began the primary music therapy program at Park Nicollet in 1995. “People at Park Nicollet have not heard of music therapy, but they’ve seen it in motion once, they have been on board,” Dawn said.
First introduced after World War II to assist returning servicemen overcome shell shock, volunteer hospital musicians found they were in a position to help service members convey their thoughts through music. Through the years, clinical research has developed in the sector of music therapy, which has proven that music therapy sessions help patients reduce stress and improve mood and self-expression through listening, singing, playing instruments or composing music.
Patients with quite a lot of illnesses and health issues throughout Park Nicollet’s healthcare system – in addition to home hospice patients – all experience the advantages of music therapy. In line with Dawn, “The philosophy behind the Park Nicollet Music Therapy Program is that music reaches the healthy a part of the person…and reminds them that they’re an individual, not only a diagnosis. Music therapy helps patients feel supported during their hospital stay or treatment. That is an important example of Park Nicollet’s shared Head+Heart culture. I see it daily, music therapy allows the patient to breathe, loosen up and ease their anxiety while treating the disease,” Dawn said.
Ingrid Miera, a former cancer patient on the Frauenshuh Cancer Center, is only one example of how music therapy can really change a patient’s life. Like most individuals, Ingrid was shocked when she was diagnosed. She struggled emotionally and had never felt anxious or fearful up to now, like when the doctors discovered her cancer. “I used to be a large number. My nurse asked if I had heard of music therapy for my anxiety. I said no, probably not, but I used to be willing to do whatever it took to assist me,” Ingrid said. “I immediately enjoyed my first session. It has been really good for me and has helped me reduce stress in all my treatments over a three-year period.”
Helping the patient address stress is just not the one advantage of music therapy. Therapy sessions can have a positive impact on rehabilitated patients by improving their motor skills. Patients don’t pay any fees for music therapy, and music therapy sessions should not covered by liability insurance. The Park Nicollet Music Therapy Apprenticeship program is supported by donations and grants to the Park Nicollet Foundation, that are used to repair and replace instruments, add state-of-the-art technology, and fund interns’ scholarships.
Park Nicollet music therapy practice program 25 years of development
The continual development of the Music Therapy Apprenticeship Program is especially attributable to the work of the passionate and dedicated music therapy staff and the continued interest in music therapy on the a part of patients and members of the Park Nicollet team. This interest and dedication to music therapy was key to creating an internship program in 1998 under the rules of the American Music Therapy Association. Since then, the music therapy internship program has hosted internships for music therapy students, resulting in music therapy board certification credentials. Through the six-month program, interns are in a position to provide invaluable support and healing to patients and their members of the family. Thus far, 166 interns from university programs across the country and around the globe have accomplished internships at Park Nicollet and gone on to successful and rewarding careers. The Park Nicollet internship program is recognized as probably the greatest programs within the country.
From the start of this system, Struthers Parkinson’s Center has been one in every of the primary centers for the trainee experience. Interns also gain hands-on experience at other Park Nicollet facilities, including inpatient sessions and patient visits on the Melrose Center in St. Louis Park.
Dr. Mary S. Adamek, Professor Emeritus of Music Therapy on the University of Iowa, highly recommends the Park Nicollet Music Therapy Apprenticeship Program to her students. “The Park Nicollet internship program has a popularity as probably the greatest within the country. Each music therapy student who is chosen for an internship at Park Nicollet will change into a highly qualified beginner music therapist, ready to vary the lives of their patients and families,” said Dr. Adamek.
“Due to a top-notch program, we’re in a position to attract highly qualified applicants,” said Sandi Holten, Neurological Music Therapist and Internship Manager at Struthers Parkinson’s Center. “Consequently, we’re in a position to grow and expand our program and supply more therapy sessions to more patients. A part of what I really like about working with interns is that I learn as much from them as they learn from me and our staff. Interns bring latest ideas from their school curricula, including the newest research and the newest methods, which makes me higher… makes them higher… and ultimately advantages our patients.”
“The breadth of experience gained is just outstanding,” said intern Jennifer Diemer. “That is one in every of the explanations I used to be drawn to this internship – you simply get to see different people of all ages with different diagnoses. What I’m learning and the way I’ll give you the option to use my experiences in the true world is incredibly beneficial.”
This “real world” could also be as close because the Twin Cities area. Actually, 8 out of 12 HealthPartners music therapists are former Park Nicollet interns, and three out of 6 Park Nicollet music therapists are former interns.
Music therapy is a very essential and beneficial resource for patients and their families. Therapy sessions proceed to affect so many individuals and help them face the challenges they face. Dawn knows first hand how essential music therapy will be and can proceed to be in the long run. “I hear stories from the past, possibly 10 or 20 years ago, when patients were within the hospital having chemotherapy. They remembered the moment when the music therapist got here in. Music therapy helped them loosen up, felt supported, and brought a private and human element to their healing experience.”
Here’s one other 25 years
To rejoice the 25th anniversary of the Music Therapy Internship Program, a celebration will happen on October 26, 2023. Should you are taken with participating, please contact the Park Nicollet Foundation; we would really like you to affix us.