A Dose of Optimism Art, Music and Games... in a Hospital
What does healing look like beyond the medical chart?
In this episode, two practitioners at Children's Hospital Los Angeles share how art, music, and virtual reality are playing meaningful roles in pediatric care, not as extras, but as essential parts of the patient experience.
Nicole Albers, art therapist and Team Lead for the Mark Taper – Johnny Mercer Artists Program at CHLA, explains how art and music therapy meet children where they are, giving hospitalized kids a sense of power and control in an environment where almost everything else is decided for them. From lullabies customized to a parent's Spotify playlist to narrative art therapy that lets a child explore fear through a story about a tiny mouse, the work is as varied as the patients it serves.
Dr. Joseph Miller, Interventional Radiologist at CHLA, shares how virtual reality is changing the procedural experience for pediatric patients, reducing the need for full anesthesia in certain procedures, easing anxiety, and allowing his team to serve patients they previously would have had to turn away.
Together, they offer a picture of a hospital that treats the whole child, not just the diagnosis.
Connect with Nicole Albers:
Mark Taper – Johnny Mercer Artists Program
Connect with Dr. Joseph Miller:
Connect with us:
Children's Hospital L.A. Website
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Children's Hospital L.A. LinkedIn