Music Therapy Helping to Transform Veterans Lives at Eastern Oklahoma VA
On any given day, Veterans and staff at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center may find themselves listening to the melodic sound of the piano being played in the Main Lobby of the facility.
Katelynn Quinn, music therapist, was originally inspired to place the piano in the lobby after seeing pianos located in public places such as airports and malls. She took that idea and set out to turn it into reality, even locating a retired piano at the medical center in storage, where it had been housed for many years.
Instead of ordering a new one, Katelynn worked to have the original piano saved from auction and moved to the lobby. With the approval and support of the executive leadership team, Katelynn and the Whole Health Program worked with several services and staff to get the piano placed where is now for Veterans and staff to enjoy.
“For our Veterans who spend a good portion of their day here, it can help just having something they can play around with, like the piano or the guitar,” said Quinn. “I love working with our Veterans because they mean the world to me and if music can help bring more joy to them and our facility, I’m all for it! I also have wonderful co-workers who have been very supportive of the program and we just want our Veterans to know that you don’t have to have a background in music to benefit from Music Therapy.”
Dr. Nathan Williams, Whole Health clinical director, says they have plans to have the piano decorated to further add to its impact in the lobby. Decorating the piano is an idea which drew inspiration from another music therapy initiative, the “Challenge America Music Retreat”, which places locally painted guitars into the hands of Veterans to help support progress and growth in dealing with a variety of issues.
“It has been wonderful to be welcomed by music when entering the area and to hear the lobby liven up with the addition of someone playing,” said Dr. Williams. “We have some very talented Veterans, employees, and guests who like to share their talents with the facility. We are grateful for everyone involved in helping make Katelynn’s vision a reality.”
Music Therapy is a newer program to the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care system (EOVAHCS) with Quinn currently being the only music therapist.
“Katelynn does a fantastic job of meeting Veterans where they are and welcoming them on a therapeutic journey using music as the catalyst,” said Dr. Williams. “Some of the transformations that we have witnessed in Veterans using Music Therapy have been borderline miraculous. It is a form of therapy that had never been offered at EOVAHCS prior to Katelynn arriving and we are so proud of the impact that she is having.”
Dr. Williams was quick to clarify that Music Therapy is not the same as providing music lessons, although learning an instrument may be a part of the journey.
“The process is focused on the therapeutic value of music and can be invaluable for many physical, mental, and emotional conditions,” said Williams. “If a Veteran is interested in music therapy, Katelynn offers appointments in Tulsa, Muskogee, and virtually using VA Video Connect. We encourage any Veteran who is interested in Music Therapy to speak with their provider to request a consult.”