CPAM Spotlights

Featuring CPAM Employees and Programming

  • Hannah Mata: Music Therapy in the NICU

    Meet Hannah Mata, whose work in the NICU was featured by KRPC 2 last month! Since high school, Hannah Mata has known that she wanted to become a music therapist. She says music therapy combines her interests in medicine, neurology, psychology, health care, and music. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from… Continue reading

  • Marissa Salinas: A Day in the Life

    Marissa Salinas is a music therapist who works at Houston Methodist Baytown. In this spotlight, spend a day with Marissa as she provides music therapy to patients on the intensive care units (ICU) and intermediate care units (IMU). Marissa begins her work day at 7:30 AM with what she calls her “office hours”—time spent reviewing… Continue reading

  • Music in Health Care Symposium

    On Wednesday, February 7, over 150 people gathered for the Music in Health Care symposium—a one-day series of presentations and panels hosted by the Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) focusing on the various uses of music in health care. Attendees were greeted by the tranquil melodies of guitarist Jimmy Smith as they arrived at… Continue reading

  • The Art of Empathy: Humor, Improv, and Empathetic Communication

    In health care, empathy is key to effective, compassionate communication. Houston Methodist’s Dr. Gerald H. Dubin believes empathy can be strengthened through humor. CPAM offers an improv class with ComedySportz Houston for Houston Methodist employees. Improv, short for improvisation, is a type of theatre in which people engage in acting or roleplay with no script… Continue reading

  • Maegan Morrow: HEAL at The Woodlands

    To Maegan Morrow, music is a source of hope—not just for the people she works with, but also for herself.  Maegan is a music therapist at Houston Methodist, the Woodlands. She works primarily with stroke patients, people with neurological diagnoses, and patients’ family members.   “As patients and families deal with the newness of a… Continue reading

  • Donielle Montgomery on Music Therapy and Family Support

    Donielle Montgomery on Music Therapy and Family Support

     For Donielle Montgomery, music is a source of connection. “Almost anywhere you go, you can hear music being played somewhere,” she says. Since she was eight, Donielle’s passion for music has been supported by her parents and godparents. Surrounded by musicians in her family, she learned to play the piano, joined her school’s concert and… Continue reading

  • Lessons from the Impressionists: Art Experiences for Physicians

    Lessons from the Impressionists: Art Experiences for Physicians

    Many artists have shared strong, even famous friendships: Van Gogh and Gauguin, Degas and Cassatt, Cezanne and Pissarro. Their relationships led artists to collaborate with and draw inspiration from their peers. These artists, their relationships and the ways their works complemented one another’s were the focus of Lessons from the Impressionists, a class designed specifically… Continue reading

  • Voices: Musical Stories from the Cancer Journey

    Voices: Musical Stories from the Cancer Journey

    Sometimes music captures what words alone cannot. That’s why music therapists Ashley Lundquist and Sarah Rossi helped create Voices, a musical album comprising 15 songs written by patients undergoing cancer treatment at Houston Methodist. “Many people don’t know what it feels like to be in this position,” says Ashley. “This gives a small look into… Continue reading

  • Bloom: Art, Flowers, and Employee Enrichment

    Bloom: Art, Flowers, and Employee Enrichment

    Bloom, an artmaking process and artwork installation, has provided opportunities for employees to create, share and take in art. Stephi Cham profiles how CPAM Employees Arts Enrichment specialist Melissa Aytenfisu implemented the project at Houston Methodist Hospital. Continue reading

  • Tom Vernon Finds Purpose

    Tom Vernon Finds Purpose

    Tom Vernon is Houston Methodist’s Chief Experience Officer and CPAM’s Executive Sponsor. Stephi Cham details his approach to patient experience and employee experience and his professional path to Houston Methodist. Continue reading

about cpam

Houston Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine promotes arts in health through creative arts therapies, arts-oriented programming, artist health care, community collaborations, research and education.

Spotlights feature CPAM-affiliated programming and people, including notable experiences, goals and values.

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