Community Healing Through Music: Local Senior's Initiative at Southern Nevada Hospital

Seventeen-year-old pianist Sachin Reddy is transforming the atmosphere at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus in Henderson. Two years ago, he began volunteering at the hospital where he was born, initially focusing on patient care tasks like delivering warm blankets and organizing discharge records.

His life took a poignant turn when his father suffered a heart attack, which deepened his appreciation for music as a healing tool. Reddy, who has been playing piano since age four, was drawn to the hospital's baby grand piano in the lobby.

He approached the volunteer services manager, Evelyn Ventura, to ask if he could play it, believing in the healing power of music. After his first performance, which included Beethoven's 'Piano Sonata No. 17', he received an overwhelmingly positive response from passersby.

This inspired him to create the nonprofit 'Rhythm of Hope', aiming to spread the therapeutic benefits of music. Reddy's mother, Dr. Sandy Reddy, shared his vision, stating that they wanted to scale the initiative so that music could always fill the hospital.

Rhythm of Hope welcomes musicians of all ages and has attracted violinists, cellists, mandolin players, and flautists. The initiative has also reached out to assisted living facilities and organizations supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, like the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada, where Reddy teaches piano basics.

His commitment extends to collaborating with the Nevada School for the Arts on a pilot study exploring how music helps children with autism manage their social-emotional skills. Ventura noted that Reddy's maturity and dedication stood out among the youth volunteers, who comprise about 30% of the hospital's volunteer roster.

The hospital's design allows music to drift into patient corridors, with some patients even coming to tears from live performances. Reddy, a straight-A student at Coronado High School, has applied to prestigious universities including Yale and the University of California system, while also considering UNLV.

He aspires to become a doctor, inspired by both his parents' careers in medicine and his fascination with cardiology and research. Reddy believes that music therapy lacks adequate study within the medical field, emphasizing the connection between music and emotional processing.

He recently played Chopin's 'Ballade No. 1' at the hospital, further demonstrating his commitment to using music as a means of healing in the community.