Healing Arts Program
Rady Children's Healing Arts Program is fully integrated into the pediatric clinical environment. Originally developed when the Rose Pavilion was constructed in 1993, the program now engages departments throughout the Hospital, creating an environment designed to provide comfort and allay the fears of patients and families. The program is in concert with our mission to restore, sustain and enhance the health and developmental potential of children through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy.
Healing Arts encompasses music, art and storytelling programs.
Music Program
Rady Children's Music Program began in 1995. Thanks to philanthropy, the program remains one of the most valuable tools in our healing environment. We receive consistent and enthusiastic praise from patients, their families and our staff, all of whom have enjoyed and shared in these performances.
Our performers play throughout the Hospital, including the Medical/Surgical unit, the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units, the Orthopedic and Rehabilitation unit, the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Bernardy Center, and Alexa's PLAYC.
Our Music Program currently consists of:
Jose Smith: harpist. Jose's harp music is very calming. Jose interacts with patients and their families, inviting the patients to try strumming his harp and asking for requests.
Sundiata Kata: drummer. Sundiata puts on an African drum presentation, educating patients through stories and music. He lets them play instruments that he gathered from all over the world.
Karl Anthony: guitarist. Going room to room with his music, Karl sings songs in American Sign Language and teaches his songs to families.
Carolyn Worster: harpist. Carolyn carries her small harp to play for patients in all our inpatient units as well as some outpatient clinics. Her soothing music creates a tranquil environment for patients and families.
Music Therapists through MusicWorx of California. MusicWorx is a clinical training site for degreed music therapists working toward national board certification. The therapy they provide helps in relaxation, child development and coping skills.
Art Program
Rady Children's understands that through artistic expression, children cope better and heal faster. Our Art Program features:
Eduardo Parra: artist. Eduardo does one-on-one art projects with patients, as well as group art projects in the activity rooms. He teaches patients new ways of expressing themselves through art.
Storyteller Program
Rady Children's Storytellers Program began in 1996. The storytelling sessions help our patients and their families take their minds off the clinical setting and their treatments. The program plays a pivotal role in the healing process at Rady Children's.
Our Storytellers are:
Linda Whiteside. Linda is bilingual, fluent in Spanish, and has a deep understanding of Mexican culture. She tells stories (from books and folk tales she knows from Mexico and South America) at patients' bedsides. Watch Linda's presentation from the TEDxAmerica's Finest City Conference.
James Lucas & Patti Christensen. This storytelling team visits various Child Life playrooms, waiting areas & patient rooms, entertaining patients and their families with fun, dramatic stories. They sometimes team up with Sundiata's music program.
Sarah Saulter. Sarah specializes in complex stories told bedside to patients and delights all with her expressive tales. She also tells stories for children at Alexa's PLAYC.
In addition to our staff storytellers, volunteers read stories to patients at bedside. Throughout the years, there have been many volunteer storytellers who worked in waiting rooms and lobbies of the Hospital and clinics.
