Healing Through the Arts: An Interview with Noni Ford of the Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program

The Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program integrates visual art, music, writing, and movement into the hospital setting to support patients, families, and staff. In this interview, I spoke with Noni Ford, Program Manager of the Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program, about the program’s mission, how therapeutic music differs from traditional music therapy, and the ways creative expression can contribute to well-being in a medical environment. The discussion offers insight into how the arts can intersect with medicine to promote healing, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human mind.

Sarah Kisin: Can you briefly introduce yourself, including your background, how you became involved with the Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program, and describe your role?

Noni Ford: Absolutely. My name is Noni Ford, and I’m the Program Manager of the Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program. I started last January, so it’s been about a year and a half. I joined the program after earning my Master’s in Arts Administration. I was studying at Columbia University at the time, and when I returned to Maryland, I discovered this program and was thrilled to join.

Sarah Kisin: Can you talk a bit about the program’s mission and its origins?

Noni Ford: Sure. The Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program is grounded in the principle of Cura Personalis, which means caring for the whole person. We are part of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and primarily focus on patients and staff there. In addition, we offer wellness and arts programming for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) and online virtual classes. Our goal is to create a well-rounded healing experience, by integrating the arts: music, movement, expressive writing and visual art into the hospital environment.

The program started around 30 years ago with Helen Orem, a director who brought on an artist named Nevin Bossart. He initially led painting workshops for staff and maintained an art table in the cancer center. Over time, the program expanded to include more professional artists and reach more areas of the hospital. It has been operating for at least two decades.

Sarah Kisin: What does a typical day look like for a music or therapeutic music session for both the musicians and for the patients and staff?

Noni Ford: We differentiate between music therapists and certified therapeutic music practitioners. Our therapeutic musicians focus on patients facing particularly difficult experiences, such as those managing pain. Doctors, nurses, and chaplains refer patients to us, and we provide our artists with a patient list, including any referrals. Musicians generally play in waiting rooms and also visit specific patients to create a personalized musical experience.

Sarah Kisin: I noticed that the program emphasizes “therapeutic music” rather than traditional music therapy. Could you clarify the difference?

Noni Ford: Sure. Traditional music therapy involves an ongoing relationship with a patient, often including intake assessments and structured programming. Our therapeutic musicians focus on creating a “sonic environment.” They check in with patients to see what music they would like and play for them, but follow-up sessions are not guaranteed because patients’ hospital stays vary widely. It is more of a drop-in, flexible approach.

Sarah Kisin: What feedback have you received from patients, caregivers, and staff?

Noni Ford: Patients and staff consistently report that music brings joy and brightens their day. Our live musicians, playing instruments like violin, hammered dulcimer, and harp, offer more than background noise. They enhance the environment and create a sense of calm. Music also provides patients with a rare opportunity for agency. They can choose the music, tempo, and whether to participate at all, which contrasts with the often rigid hospital routine. Families and staff benefit as well because music fosters connection and improves overall experiences within the hospital.

Sarah Kisin: How do you find and select musicians for the program? What qualities are important?

Noni Ford: Many of our musicians come from the Music for Healing and Transitions Program, which trains them specifically to work in hospital settings. To succeed here, artists need to be compassionate, attentive, and responsive to the environment. They must recognize when to step back if medical staff need access. A broad repertoire is essential because patients have diverse preferences.

Sarah Kisin: How do you measure the program’s impact? Are there formal outcomes or testimonials?

Noni Ford: For our online classes, we collect survey data that shows significant improvements in mental health and well-being. In the hospital, we are launching a research project to study patient experiences in waiting rooms. Additionally, our artists log testimonials after sessions to capture the direct benefits observed. For example, one artist supported a family navigating a terminal illness. He played songs in their native language and formed a lasting bond until the patient’s passing.

Sarah Kisin: Could you explain what you do in the online classes?

Noni Ford: Our Continuum of Care program offers virtual classes in visual art, expressive writing, and movement, including yoga. These free classes serve about 3,000 participants annually and are designed to enhance community connection, creativity, and mental health. Surveys indicate that participants experience a notable increase in these areas by the end of each session. Classes are offered regularly through Eventbrite.

Sarah Kisin: Is there any monitoring of neurological or brain-based effects of the program, or is it mostly testimonial feedback?

Noni Ford: In 2021, we conducted a research study exploring neurological and physiological changes resulting from musical presentations in patients recovering from liver transplant surgery. Participants received three sessions of recorded music daily, over the course of two to three days. The music - selected, arranged and performed by medical musician Andrew Schulman - included a wide range of acoustic tunes from Bach to McCartney. Research shows that music therapy can reduce pain, anxiety, and stress, and contribute to a more effective recovery process. We are currently in the process of launching a research project that will study the impact of live music on rates of mental health distress and anxiety for waiting room patients. 

Sarah Kisin: How are other art forms, like dance, visual art, and writing, integrated into the program?

Noni Ford: We have several robust programs. Our annual Day of Dance features movement artists working with patients and staff. Movement artists also lead short stretch breaks for staff. Our visual art initiatives include rotating exhibitions in the Cancer Center, such as The Art of Gathering by Jodi Ferrier, and an annual Art for a Cause collage program led by artist-in-residence Jennifer Wilkin Penick. Collages created by patients and caregivers are transformed into greeting cards and displayed in the infusion center. We also have an art table in the Cancer Clinic, where patients can create art with our artists.

Sarah Kisin: What are your personal hopes and goals for the program’s future?

Noni Ford: I would love to expand art exhibitions throughout MGUH, and increase arts and health programming hospital-wide. For example, having musicians present every day in more areas, including the emergency room, would greatly enhance the environment. Currently, we have about 15 artists, which is a good start, but I hope to expand consistent coverage so more patients, staff, and visitors can benefit daily.

Sarah Kisin: That sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for your time. 

Noni Ford: Thank you, Sarah.