Chateau Gardot Uses Music to Heal

"Music is the soundtrack to our lives," said international recording artist Melody Gardot. "Regardless of genre, style or sound, music is our accompanist for the most precious moments in life."

Ms. Gardot credits Richard Jermyn, DO, for leading her to a successful music career following a devastating accident that left her unable to walk or talk.

When traditional treatments failed, it was Dr. Jermyn, her physician and director of the NeuroMusculoSkeletal Institute at the School of Osteopathic Medicine, who suggested that Ms. Gardot return to her hobby, music, as a form of physical rehabilitation and pain relief.

To thank Dr. Jermyn and help others, Ms. Gardot worked with the Swedish Postcode Lottery following a concert in which she performed to facilitate a donation of $100,000 to establish The Chateau Gardot Music Therapy Program at the NeuroMusculoskeletal Institute.

The Program recently opened its doors for patients.

Ms. Gardot found music therapy decreased her pain and increased her cognitive skills. In time, she began writing her own music and performing in nightclubs. Today, seven years after she began treatment with Dr. Jermyn, Ms. Gardot is a world-renowned jazz singer, grateful for his extraordinary care and his unusual suggestion.

Dr. Jermyn believes music not only can help eliminate pain but also help brain tissue to recover.

"Our new program integrates music therapy into our multidisciplinary approach for patients suffering from severe chronic pain, brain injuries and spinal injuries," Dr. Jermyn explained. "We hope the program will encourage broader use of music in medicine and become a model for the successful use of music therapy to treat neuromusculosketal disease."