Volunteers play piano music to soothe patients, doctors

Monday, October 26, 1998

Volunteers play piano music to soothe patients, doctors

HOSPITAL: UCLA Medical Plaza’s program provides way

to relax for visitors, staff in hectic, fast-paced
environment

By Teresa Jun

Daily Bruin Contributor

Walking through the lobby of the UCLA Medical Plaza has never
been a more musical experience.

Since last spring, Judy Smith has filled the foyer almost
everyday with soft piano tunes that drift through the spacious
lobby to greet visitors to the Medical Plaza.

"I love it. I can’t believe that I can sit here and wait for my
x-rays and be entertained like this," said Margo Rivas, a regular
patient at the Medical Plaza. "It’s a real pleasure."

Rivas is not the only one who enjoys Smith’s musical talent.

"Look at all the smiling faces," Rivas added, gazing around at
the dozen or so patients in the waiting area. "They weren’t smiling
before she started playing."

For Smith, a retired UCLA pediatric nurse, this is what her
piano-playing is all about.

"People come in here expecting a terrible time, but (with the
music) they actually enjoy their wait," Smith said. "I feel like
I’m helping people heal."

Smith, who has played the piano for 50 years, has only recently
overcome her lifetime fear of performing in front of people.

"It has been helpful to play at the hospital because people
actually come up to me and support me," she said.

Playing two hours almost every weekday, Smith said she
volunteers her time because she needs to.

"It’s a place where I belong, to help in healing people," she
said.

Many hospital staff members agree.

"People gravitate out to the lobby (when she plays)," said Carey
McCarthy, volunteer coordinator for the Medical Plaza.

"Patients sit next to her, and sometimes kids sit on her lap …
once a doctor even started singing along."

Those who work in the main lobby especially appreciate Smith’s
piano-playing.

"We love it. It definitely makes work more enjoyable," said
Alfred Braganza, a senior volunteer.

"The music is beautiful because it’s not too loud. She plays
soft, relaxing oldies," said Braganza, who sometimes waits around
after his shift to hear Smith play tunes such as "Looking Through
the Eyes of Love," a song from the movie Ice Castles, and
"Somewhere, My Love," from the movie Dr. Zhivago.

Eight other pianists volunteer throughout the week, playing
music ranging from jazz and ragtime to pop and classical, said
McCarthy, who coordinates the piano volunteer program.

"It’s a lot of fun, and it’s very rewarding," said Larry Ackard,
a senior volunteer who plays every Tuesday.

"It’s a wonderful feeling because people appreciate (the music)
and they let me know it ­ that makes it all worthwhile," added
Ackard, who has played the piano for nearly 70 years.

The Medical Plaza’s piano, donated by the Sy Rosenwasser family,
was a gift that was almost taken back because nobody was using it
­ until Smith began tinkling a few timid tunes on it.

Now, six months later, her act has led to a full-fledged
volunteer program.

Since this program was such a success, another piano has been
introduced just across the street at the main hospital.

Smith said her "dream wish" would be for someone to donate a
grand piano for the lobby of the main hospital.

"A grand piano would fit in there just right," she said,
commenting on the size of the room and high levels of anxiety due
to the numerous surgeries that take place.

As for the future of the piano volunteer program at the Medical
Plaza, McCarthy said volunteers with piano skills are always
needed.

She added she only knows of one other hospital in the nation
that has a similar program.

"It’s unusual to hear a piano in this kind of place, especially
near the entrance," she said

"The hospital is such a tense place, and the piano is very
soothing."BAHMAN FARAHDEL/Daily Bruin

Judy Smith plays piano in lobby of UCLA Medical Plaza.

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