Five Pa. Hospitals Selected for Music Therapy Program Supporting Frontline Workers

Initiative supports well-being and resiliency of health care workers

Harrisburg, PA (Dec. 1, 2021) – Five Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems have been selected as the first participants in a new program that uses music therapy to support the resiliency and well-being of health care workers.

The statewide initiative—believed to be the first of its scale nationally supporting health care workers through music therapy— is made possible through an innovative partnership between The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA).

Participating hospitals are empowered to custom design programs with a particular focus on supporting frontline workers who are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is facilitated by HAP and supported in part by PCA, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Five partners have been selected to participate in the first of three planned phases of the program:

• Einstein Medical Center Montgomery (East Norriton)
• Jefferson Health (multiple campuses in Philadelphia area)
• Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (Hershey)
• Pottstown Hospital – Tower Health (Pottstown)
• Temple University Hospital - Episcopal Campus (Philadelphia)

“We are excited to see the innovative programs that these hospitals have developed to support their frontline workers put into action,” said HAP President and CEO Andy Carter. “Health care workers throughout the commonwealth have selflessly and tirelessly cared for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, often at the expense of their own physical and mental health. HAP is proud to facilitate this initiative to support their well-being and resiliency through the healing power of music.”

Music therapy is an evidence-based tool that has been shown to be effective in supporting health care workers experiencing compassion fatigue and burnout. It can also promote positive changes in mood, increase a sense of control, lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, relax muscle tension, and build resiliency. In workplace settings, it has been found to help promote well-being and psychological health, manage occupational stress and health risks, and strengthen organizational welfare.

“It is extremely gratifying to see these services and therapies become available to frontline health care workers,” said PCA Executive Director Karl Blischke. “The qualitative and quantitative benefit of music therapy is an inspiring illustration of the creative sector’s ability to broadly deliver relevant and innovative solutions across the commonwealth.”

Hospitals interested in participating were invited to submit proposals for how they would use grant funding provided through the initiative to work with a board certified music therapist in delivering services to best fit the needs of their workforce. The PA Music Therapy Task Force, which is supporting HAP’s efforts, evaluated the proposals and recommended grant awardees. 

Learn more about the music therapy initiative online.

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2021