SBU Professor Performs Live Piano Music Bimonthly In SBU Hospital Lobby For Patients, Visitors
Dr. Andrew Flescher Takes Requests, Performs as an Expression of the Healing Arts
STONY BROOK, N.Y., August 3, 2010 – Twice each month patients at Stony Brook University Hospital, along with visitors and staff, can enjoy live piano music in the hospital lobby. Pianist Andrew M. Flescher, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Medical Humanities, bangs out popular rock, pop, show tunes, and other songs upon request. The event, considered an expression of the healing arts, is sponsored by The Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at Stony Brook University in conjunction with Patient and Family Centered Care. Dr. Flescher performs on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
On July 15, Dr. Flescher played his first lobby “concert.” An accomplished cellist, Dr. Flesher has also played piano for 20 years. He played more than 25 tunes, featuring songs most people could connect with, such as popular hits by The Beatles and Elton John classics. For part of the musical session, Dr. Flescher was joined by singer Jamie Romeiser of the Department of Preventive Medicine. Ms. Romeiser will continue to accompany Dr. Flescher at future events.
Dr. Flescher drew many passers-by, from hospital staff to visitors and patrons from the lobby Starbucks. The crowd continued to build throughout his one hour plus of playing one musical rendition after another. He says as long as people continue to enjoy the live music, he will keep playing.
The Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care, and Bioethics at SBU considers music as a central component of the healing arts, as studied and practiced by the Center. The University-wide program is devoted to investigating and teaching the three thematic components reflected in its name. Part of its mission is to support Compassionate Care, as expressed by the art of healing that requires compassion and emotional intelligence on the part of clinicians.
Caption:
Andrew M. Flescher, Ph.D., pianist and Associate Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Medical Humanities at Stony Brook University, plays live tunes for patients and visitors in the hospital lobby.
Credit:
Sam Levitan
