Grief from losing a loved one can profoundly impact individuals, and the longing for comfort in such difficult times often leads people to seek solace in unique ways. Stanford University medical student Melonie Ambler has discovered an unconventional path to provide comfort to patients facing critical illnesses. For those battling severe conditions with little hope of recovery, Ambler offers a brief moment of relief through the power of music. As both a trained cellist and a medical scholar, she bridges the worlds of healthcare and art to ease her patients’ suffering during their final moments.
Raised in a musical family, Ambler’s love for music eventually intertwined with her passion for medicine. This led her to incorporate art as a tool for healing and providing comfort. Her journey as a music therapy advocate began in 2022, when she began playing virtual cello concerts for patients on her day off from medical school. As part of her initiative, Ambler composed spontaneous pieces inspired by the life stories of the patients she met.
In one video feature, Ambler is seen interacting with a palliative care patient suffering from kidney failure. As she asked the woman, “What does art mean to you?” the patient, lying in her hospital bed, responded, “Art to me is beauty. It’s beauty, and it’s tranquil.” Inspired by the patient’s words, Ambler quickly composed an impromptu song that captured the patient’s emotions, offering a moment of comfort. The heartfelt performance left a profound impact on the patient, noticeably shifting her mood and bringing her a sense of peace.
Ambler shared that her creative process involves asking personal questions like, “What is your favorite place on Earth?” or “What are you famous for among your friends and family?” The answers help her capture the emotional essence of the patient’s story, which she then weaves into her music. “When I get that response, I can accentuate the drama, emotions, personalities, and energy that the patient and their family share with me,” she explained.
During an interview with CBS News’ Elizabeth Cook, Ambler revealed that what motivates her to engage with patients in their final moments is deeply rooted in her own experiences. “Some of the most meaningful moments that I personally experienced while I was on my medical school rotations were emotionally charged and difficult ones. Moments where traditional medicine may not be effective or provide comfort,” she reflected.
Ambler’s work in integrating music into palliative care at Stanford has garnered attention from experts in the field, particularly those who have championed the intersection of music and medicine. Dr. Lisa Wong, co-director of the Arts and Humanities Initiative at Harvard Medical School, noted, “We started it (the initiative) because we realized that among our faculty are poets, visual artists, writers, and musicians. Invariably, they say, well, it makes me a more balanced person and a better doctor.”
For Ambler, the music she creates in the hospital is far more than just a temporary outlet for the patients. The compositions serve as personal mementos, reminders of the connections she made and the lives she touched. Many online observers have praised her efforts, including @soniatriana909, who called her “a gifted human being,” and @bambooblue74, who added, “I love this convergence of hospice care and music. I wish my father could have received such beautiful music art at the end of his life.”
Through her work, Melonie Ambler demonstrates the profound power of art in healing and the deeply human connection between music, medicine, and compassion.
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