Blues musician, Anthony Gomes, donates musical equipment to the MUHC psychiatry program
Blues musician Anthony Gomes provided “music to the ears” of patients and staff at the MUHC today as he announced a donation of sound recording and listening equipment to the Montreal General Hospital’s (MGH) Adult Psychiatry Department. Those in attendance were also treated to an impromptu live performance by members of the MUHC’s Le Groupe MusiArt, and Gomes, who performed at the 2016 Festival International de Jazz de Montreal this week.
Anthony Gomes announced a donation of sound recording and listening equipment to the Montreal General Hospital’s (MGH) Adult Psychiatry Department.
“This donation will provide music-listening stations for psychiatry in-patients, as well as new equipment, including amplifiers and speakers that will be used by our renowned choir Le Groupe MusiArt, which is made up of mental health patients and our talented music therapist, Dany Bouchard,” says Dr. Nadia Szkrumelak, Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at the MUHC. “This gift will have a direct impact on patients by enhancing the healing environment on our In-Patient unit.”
The donation was made courtesy of the Music Is The Medicine (MITM) Foundation, which Gomes launched in 2010 to positively impact the lives of others through the healing power of music. “As a musician, I know first-hand how music impacts people - I see it at every show,” says Gomes, who has shared the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Robert Plant, among others. “Performing with the choir here today, and seeing how that program has changed lives was really moving. The work done by the music therapy program is really outstanding.” The US-based musician was born in Toronto and has roots in Montreal and Quebec City.
“Le Groupe MusiArt was created at the Montreal General Hospital to Hospital improve and maintain mental health through creative expression while increasing well-being, self-esteem and concentration, and educating the general public about mental health issues,” says Dr. Marie-France Boudreault, MUHC psychologist, who founded the group in October 1998 and continues to act as director. “Singing and music are extraordinary means of expression, and this donation will allow us to continue the creative process and improve the health of our patients.”
The MUHC’s Adult Psychiatry Department will be receiving the MITM Foundation’s first gift in Canada. The MUHC psychiatry department is responsible for treating some of the province’s most complex patient cases. The department receives around 50,000 outpatient visits and around 500-600 inpatients annually.
Blues musician, Anthony Gomes, donates musical equipment to the MUHC psychiatry program from McGill University Health Centre on Vimeo.
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About Music is the Medicine Foundation (MITM):
Music Is The Medicine Foundation, a US-based non-profit organization, was founded in 2010 by blues musician Anthony Gomes and Illinois-based entrepreneur Mark Cortesi to positively impact the lives of others through the healing power of music. Since its inception, MITM has directly helped children with cancer, young adults with autism and war veterans with PTSD. It has funded songwriting scholarships, offered musical education programs and donated musical instruments. In addition to private donations, MITM has been awarded grants from State Farm Insurance and CVS Pharmacy as well as partnering with Apple, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Once Upon A String and Six String Heroes. www.musicisthemedicine.org