SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Sharp Healthcare expanded its popular Arts for Healing program during the coronavirus pandemic to help patients and hospital workers cope with the disease.
"It's been really powerful and meaningful," says Amy Andrews, the program coordinator and a Board Certified Music Therapist. "We find ourselves very busy."
Because of the pandemic, the program isn't allowed to use their network of volunteers. So Andrews and her colleagues have been picking up the slack.
They play music and lead art programs for patients in the hospital. They also do tele-art and music sessions for people at Sharp Memorial when an in-person session isn't possible.
The supportive arts sessions are also available to doctors, nurses and staff to calm and inspire them during a stressful time.
"Staff has been going through a lot," says Board Certified Art Therapist Sofia Alvarez. "By providing the services to them as well, we're really supporting our team to keep going through this. It's a long run. And we want to make sure we take care of each other."
The extra work for Andrews and her team is worth it when they're able to bring some comfort to people who are struggling.
"It's spiritual," says Martha Uribe, who recently spent more than a month in Sharp Memorial Hospital with COVID-19. "It makes you feel alive. And it gives you a lot of hope."
The program is entirely funded through donations. To learn more, or make a donation, go tohttps://give.sharp.com/arts-for-healing.
