Music & medicine: Teen’s tunes brighten hospital halls

Sixteen-year-old Miraya Agrawal spent her summer volunteering at London Health Sciences Centre, using music to connect with and uplift seniors receiving care.

Agrawal, a high school student entering Grade 11 this fall, performed piano and sang to patients throughout her time at the hospital.

Her last day was Friday, Aug. 29, before she returns to school to continue her studies. She plans to attend Western University upon graduation.

“I learned that patients have a lot more to them than just their medical issues,” Agrawal said. “Seeing them open up to me after I started singing and playing — talking about their families, their lives, their careers, even their anxieties — it was incredible to learn about their rich lives beyond the hospital.”

On her final morning, Agrawal performed songs ranging from John Legend’s “All of Me” to Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” for about half a dozen seniors.

Kate Glen, volunteer resource specialist at LHSC, said patients respond warmly to Agrawal’s performances.

“I’ve seen Miraya perform a couple of times, and every time, the patients are clapping, singing, smiling and feeling engaged with her,” Glen said. “She’s excellent at bringing them in and making them feel connected.”

Agrawal was one of 34 students volunteering at LHSC this summer as part of a program that has been running for five decades.

Dr. Erin Spicer, an internal medicine specialist at the hospital, said patients often experience complications such as delirium during their stay, which can affect mobility and consciousness.

“My research teams are exploring ways to prevent and treat these complications,” Spicer said. “We know it goes beyond treating the medical problem — patients need physical and cognitive engagement to recover.”

Music is one approach the hospital uses to engage patients, a method Agrawal is proud to have contributed to.

“It was an amazing hands-on experience in a healthcare setting,” she said. “I got to do something I love — playing music — and uplift patients’ stories, which was very rewarding.”