Callie Cowart, MT-BC

Thriving Out of Necessity: Medical Music Therapy on the Pediatric Unit During COVID19

Providing music therapy sessions in pediatrics and pediatric ICU units over the past year, Callie Cowart’s services shifted from a patient-centered to a more family-centered practice model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the importance of music therapy services, the hospital allowed in-person sessions with COVID-19 safety protocols in place. In this podcast, she talks about the increase of chronic stress and the sense of resignation, but also the resilience and hope she observed in her young patients and families. Overcoming challenges such visitation restrictions, Callie looked for creative solutions such as offering hybrid sessions allowing siblings to participate in the family service. She says, “One of the biggest benefits I’ve seen are stronger family units.”

Resources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthcare facilities: Managing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2020, December 22). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-hcf.html
  • (2020, November 13). Chronic stress and how to manage it. https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/chronic_stress_and_how_to_manage_it
  • Tech Nook. (2020). Home. https://www.technook.co/home

About the Interviewee:

Callie Cowart is a board-certified music therapist based in San Francisco, California. Currently, Callie works as a full-time music therapist for Sutter Health where she serves patients at an Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Unit, an adult hospice facility, and Pediatrics and Pediatric ICU Units. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, she continued offering services to children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact: calliecowartmtbc@gmail.com

Suggested Citation: 

Shine, E. (2021, June 18). Thriving out of necessity–Medical music therapy on the pediatric unit during COVID19An interview with Callie Cowart [Audio podcast]. imaginewww.imagine.musictherapy.biz