Editor’s note: This special edition blog was written by JoyRx Music Manager Elke Downer.
JoyRx Director of Partner Engagement Allyn Cripe and I recently attended and presented at the forty-seventh annual APOSW (Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers) conference, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, from April 8 to 10. Over 200 pediatric oncology social workers from across the country attended, many of whom work at some of our JoyRx partner healthcare facilities.
We represented JoyRx during our breakout session, where we shared our work: “More than Medicine: A Virtual Music Program to Support Pediatric Patient, Caregiver, and Hospital Staff Wellbeing.” Our presentation focused on the development and evolution of the Digital Live music program, the importance of music for pediatric patients through evidence-based findings, and our preliminary data from our impact measurement work. We also had an interactive component where we showed attendees how fun it is to play SINGO!
An example of a Singo package sent to hospitals served by JoyRx.
Fun fact: Chicago was on the path of totality for the eclipse, and it reached 95% totality right in the middle of our session!
Lastly, we met with one of our national partners at Children’s Hospital University of Illinois (UIC). Dana, Child Life Specialist and primary facilitator for our weekly Digital Live bedside sessions, gave us a tour of the pediatric unit, which is a small wing within a larger adult facility. We met a patient who has been doing music with Dylan, a Digital Live Music Specialist, almost weekly for over a year. He shared how much he loves when Dylan plays “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars!
Elke Downer
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