FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A group of local doctors have talents well beyond the exam room. These highly skilled musicians and singers are taking their talents to the stage, and raising money for neuroscience care at Community Hospital.
Doctor John Ambrose is the emeritus chief of cardiology at UCSF Fresno. He began singing after getting lessons for his 40th birthday while living in Manhattan, New York.
He was eventually offered a job in Fresno, and the opportunity to take his singing talents on stage with the California Opera Association was music to his ears.
"One of the first interviews I had was with the head of the opera company, and they basically, I guess they wanted to recruit me, and they basically knew how much I appreciate and how much I even sung with my wife in New York," he said.
He and about a dozen other doctors formed a group to put on a "doctor's concert." It's not only an outlet for the medical staff, but the event raises money for neuroscience.
Joyce Eden is a stroke supervisor at Community Regional Medical Center - and also sings in the group. When she saw an opportunity to raise awareness and funds, she didn't miss a beat.
"When they approached me this year, I said, 'Hey, I'm with the stroke program now, and would you be willing to do a fundraising for the neuroscience center?'" she said.
The healing powers of music have been recognized in one form or another for centuries, and Eden says, research, data and real life experience back that up.
"We now know through research that for people with strokes, we can actually retrain them to talk. The brain can actually create new neurons and pathways, and by using headsets, they play music in one ear, and that stimulates both sides of the brain for healing. By having people sing it uses a different part of the brain. So, they may not be able to talk, but they can sing, and they can relearn their speech," she said. "If you can get someone that they used to play an instrument to pick it back up, or if they're willing to learn an instrument, it will stimulate their brain to heal even faster."
The doctor's concert raised funds to support the Future Bob Smittcamp Family Neurosciences Institute. Those who would like to donate can visit smittcampneurosciences.com.