Music therapy program promotes wellness, provides comfort to patients and families
ELIZABETHTOWN, KY (May 8, 2025) - Baptist Health Hardin has recently welcomed a groundbreaking addition to its healthcare services – music therapy. The first music therapy program in the Baptist Health system, it enhances patient care by offering emotional, social and spiritual support through the power of music.
The program is led by Kaitlyn Mendoza, who holds a master’s degree in music therapy from Florida State University. Mendoza brings to the role three years of experience in hospice and mental health work. Now back in her home community of Elizabethtown, she is dedicated to integrating music therapy into patient care, beginning with patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care Unit (CCU) palliative care and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
A personalized approach to healing
Music therapy is not just about playing songs—it’s a structured, evidence-based practice designed to address a variety of patient needs. Any patient experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, agitation, pain, shortness of breath or emotional distress may qualify for music therapy. The therapy can also assist those at the end of life, offering a source of comfort and relaxation.
Referrals for music therapy can be made by any licensed provider. Once a referral is placed, Mendoza evaluates whether the patient is a good candidate for the service. Each session is tailored to the individual, using preferred music to align with their care plan. Patients may sing along, play instruments, or simply listen, finding solace in familiar melodies.
“It’s always about more than just the music,” Mendoza said. “Patients might cry, talk about their fears, or use music as a way to communicate emotions they can’t express otherwise.”
The science of sound
Unlike recorded music, which remains static, live music therapy is adaptable. Mendoza can adjust tempo, volume, and key to influence heart rate, breathing patterns, and overall relaxation. Trained in both musical and counseling techniques, Mendoza also recognizes when to modify or pause music based on a patient’s response. If heightened anxiety or distress arises, the session is adjusted accordingly to provide a soothing and supportive environment.
Each day, Mendoza sees between four and six patients, with session lengths ranging from 15 to 90 minutes. Some sessions lead to advancing treatment, while others may simply provide a moment of peace. Nurses and healthcare providers are informed of patient responses, ensuring a collaborative approach to care.
A soundtrack for every stage of life
Music therapy plays a unique role in end-of-life care. Some patients nearing the end of life find comfort in music. Mendoza may collaborate with them and their families to write and personalize a song, which can then be paired with a recording of the patient’s heartbeat, which serves as a steady beat throughout the song. The finished product can be provided on a CD that loved ones can cherish for years to come.
“The goal is to make hospital stays as comfortable and painless as possible,” Mendoza said. “Music therapy is about more than music; it’s about creating a positive patient experience and addressing real symptoms.”
Even minimally responsive patients may benefit, as hearing is the last sense to fade. Mendoza looks for visual cues—subtle signs of relaxation, eye movement, or even a gentle smile—to gauge effectiveness. Confused patients, in particular, often experience a spark of recognition through familiar songs, unlocking long-buried memories and emotions.
Building a lasting program
The new music therapy program has been fully funded by generous gifts to the Baptist Health Foundation Hardin from Anne and Carl Swope, AnneRae Wright, Philip and Denise Clements, Lutheran Foundation for Long-Term Living, Kenneth and Nannette Johnston, Drs. Greg and Linnea Smith, Valerie Haddle, and Russell and Eric Winters. These donors were compelled to help create this program to enrich the quality of lives for patients and their families.
"Baptist Health Foundation Hardin is incredibly proud to support this new music therapy program,” said Tracee Troutt, vice president and chief development officer. “Music has a unique ability to comfort and foster connection, and this program is already making a profound difference in the lives of our patients and their families."
Beyond direct patient care, Mendoza also oversees administrative aspects, helping to establish protocols so that music therapy can be integrated into care on a broader spectrum in the future.
Whether it’s a simple lullaby for a premature infant, a sing-along for a patient who is disoriented, or a final song for someone nearing the end of life’s journey, music therapy is proving to be a powerful tool to soothe the soul.
For now, Mendoza continues to move through the halls of Baptist Health Hardin, guitar in hand, ready to bring a moment of peace to those who need it most.