Gibson Gives recently donated guitars to the Vanderbilt Musicians and Performing Artists Clinic to be used for patient therapy. Front row, Justin Stehr, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, left, and Alex Tinker, Gibson Gives project manager. Back row from left, Rachel Pierce, Belmont University Doctor of Occupational Therapy student; Mosi Jones, MD; and Brad Hill, MD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand, and Gibson Gives, its philanthropic division supporting music education and wellness initiatives worldwide, has donated five Epiphone acoustic guitars to the Vanderbilt Musicians and Performing Artists Clinic to support the healing of musicians through use of the instruments.
The clinic, operated through the Plastic Surgery Clinic at Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, is led by a specialized, multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians), and therapists. With the Gibson Gives donation, musicians recovering from an injury or surgery won’t need to lug their own instruments to the Vanderbilt Health clinic; they can practice mobility and dexterity exercises using the guitars that now have a home at the clinic.
Beyond basic daily hand function, musicians who play stringed instruments need fine motor skills, the ability to move their hands and fingers asymmetrically, and the ability to apply just the right amount of pressure for fretting chords or picking notes.
“Musicians have specialized physical demands that can be difficult to understand without seeing them play,” said Brad Hill, MD, Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery and Surgery. “Having instruments in the clinic will help us evaluate their needs and support rehabilitation as they return to performance.
“Because bringing their own instruments to every visit isn’t always practical, we’re incredibly grateful to Gibson Gives for helping us create a clinical environment better equipped to care for this unique patient population.”
“Music has an extraordinary power to heal, and musicians deserve care that recognizes the unique physical demands of their craft,” added Erica Krusen, Executive Director of Gibson Gives. “Gibson Gives is proud to support the Vanderbilt Musicians and Performing Artists Clinic by providing instruments that can help patients rebuild strength, regain confidence and return to making the music they love.”
Justin Stehr, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT, who provides occupational therapy in the Department of Plastic Surgery, has long assisted musicians that fingerpick, pluck, strum, tap, slap and perform every conceivable form of string wizardry. Nashville, long known as Music City, is an epicenter of performers of every genre.
Stehr knew having the tools of their trade easily accessible at the clinic would make their work together easier, and he was excited when Gibson recognized the importance of this as well.
“The Vanderbilt Musicians and Performing Artists Clinic acts as the hub for complex evaluation and care design for performers,” Stehr said. “We bring surgery, sports medicine and therapy together up front, so patients get a clear plan for recovery early.
“Then, we partner with Vanderbilt Health and community therapists to deliver rehabilitation close to home, with ongoing support. This hub-and-spoke model keeps care coordinated and scalable, and is a key reason Vanderbilt Health is a regional leader in performer health and complex musculoskeletal care. The addition of these guitars is another example of how we personalize the care we provide for each individual.”
Alex Tinker, a project manager for Gibson Gives, delivered the guitars as well as capos (a movable bar clamped on the strings that raises the pitch) and tuners, to the Vanderbilt Health at One Hundred Oaks clinic. The clinicians were lined up to accept the Gibson guitars, and some tried out strumming a few chords. One physician, Mosi Jones, MD, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Plastic Surgery, is even beginning guitar lessons.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to support musicians through this program,” said Hill. “Their care is truly collaborative, and I’m grateful to work alongside outstanding colleagues like Justin, our partners in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and other specialties who bring expertise to help musicians stay healthy and return to performing at their best.”
