Arts in Medicine
The Arts in Medicine program at Baylor University Medical Center, funded 100% through philanthropy, provides a holistic approach to care, integrating the transformative power of art and music to enhance health and well-being.
Caring for the whole person
At Baylor Scott & White, we recognize that healing is more than just physical recovery—it is an emotional and spiritual journey as well.
Research has shown that creative therapies have tangible physical benefits. Music therapy can reduce ICU delirium, alleviate pain and respiratory distress, and lower anxiety and depression. In the NICU, evidence-based music interventions support neurological development, promote weight gain, stabilize oxygen levels, and reduce pain and hospital stays for premature infants. Art therapy has been linked to reduced stress, improved immune function, and decreased perception of pain, contributing to an overall enhanced healing process.
Healing through the arts
Through the Arts in Medicine (AIM) program at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC), we integrate the transformative power of art and music into patient care, offering comfort, connection, and resilience during times of illness and uncertainty.
Established in 2015 through philanthropy, AIM provides music therapy, art therapy, live performances, and an open art studio—each thoughtfully designed to enhance the healing experience. From the NICU to end-of-life care, these creative therapies nurture emotional well-being, reduce stress, and restore dignity for patients and their loved ones.
Enhancing healing through creativity
AIM integrates the healing arts into patient care through:
- Music Care Services – Specially trained musicians, including board-certified music therapists and a certified music thanatologist, provide bedside instrumentals and vocals. These services reduce ICU delirium, manage pain and anxiety, and offer solace for patients in palliative care. In the NICU, music therapy supports neurological development, promotes weight gain, and stabilizes oxygen levels in premature infants.
- Art Therapy – Guided by licensed art therapists, patients and caregivers engage in visual art experiences that foster self-expression, emotional resilience, and healing. Research shows art therapy can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depression, and improve immune function.
- Healing Environment – AIM transforms hospital spaces through curated art installations and live performances, turning sterile hallways into places of beauty and inspiration. In 2024 alone, over 700 hours of live music were performed in public hospital spaces.
Your impact: Sustain healing through the arts
Completely funded by philanthropy, the demand for Arts in Medicine services continues to grow, with thousands of referrals each month across BUMC. Patients, families and caregivers rely on these therapies to ease pain, reduce stress, and restore a sense of dignity and control during health challenges. As a program fully funded by philanthropy, continued donor support is essential to sustaining the music and art therapy services that have become an integral part of holistic care at Baylor Scott & White.
Your generosity ensures that the healing power of music and art remains available to those who need it most—providing comfort at the bedside, fostering resilience through creative expression, and transforming hospital spaces into places of hope and inspiration.
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