Former music therapist leaves resounding planned gift.
When Kay Aylesworth recalls her time studying music therapy at Michigan State University, she remembers a professor explaining that music is a nonthreatening means of communication. This idea shaped her career as she used music to help patients express their feelings when she worked as a music therapist in Rochester, New York, in the 1960s.
In 1964, Kay moved to Dallas and shifted careers, becoming an American Airlines flight attendant. Despite the career change, Kay’s belief in the healing power of music has remained, inspiring her to make a significant estate gift to support Arts in Medicine at Baylor Scott & White, a program that integrates the visual arts, music and performing arts to promote healing.
Arts in Medicine programs are offered at no cost to patients and rely 100% on support from generous donors. In 2023 alone, music therapists at Baylor University Medical Center conducted over 700 individual music therapy sessions for patients and caregivers.
Kay was introduced to the music therapy program at Baylor Scott & White in 2017 through a colleague, Cynthia Krause, who recently retired as vice president of strategic philanthropy at the BSW Dallas Foundation. Kay decided then she wanted to support the program because she knew the impact music therapy could have on healing.
“There are many areas where this program can help benefit people, and there is so much opportunity to continue expanding on it. Art and music therapy helps patients find their own worth,” Kay said. “It helps build their self-esteem.” Multiple studies on music therapy’s effectiveness show improvements in mood—particularly in reducing anxiety—and improved emotional expression, communication and quality of life.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Kay and her late husband, Ray, for many years. One thing that has always been consistent with them is their desire to help others,” said Craig Foster, senior director of foundation relations and gift planning at BSW Dallas Foundation. “It’s been a joy to see Kay be able to help people through supporting one of her passions in music therapy.”
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