A New Music Therapy Clinic is Opened in C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan!

On August 3rd, 2022 the newest Sophie’s Place location opened at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan! Complete with a $1.5 million recording studio for patient’s and parent’s use, this is the 6th operating Sophie’s Place and the first ever in-hospital music therapy clinic in the Midwestern United States.

Football legend Steve Young and his wife Barb attended the grand opening, as Sophie’s Place is an initiative of their non-profit organization: the Forever Young Foundation. Barb Young is especially passionate about the real medicinal benefits of music therapy. At the grand opening she shared how in college she had a dear friend in a coma who was able to heal due to music therapy. Since that time research has shown more and more that music can be more than just entertainment for patients. With help from Board Certified Music Therapists, music can be utilized to help patients heal faster as well as more fully.

Sophie’s Place is named for Sophie Rose Barton, who was a singer-songwriter and avid music volunteer at a pediatric hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah before she unexpectedly passed away at age 17 from a heart arrhythmia. Sophie’s parents also attended the grand opening and offered some meaningful words. Sophie’s father, Kent Barton, shared that before Sophie passed away she had written a list of 21 things that she wanted to do before she died. One of the things she wanted to accomplish was to change a life. Her father shared that Sophie’s Place is a way that she is able to live out that dream, even when she is no longer with us.

C.S. Mott Children’s has been able to offer music therapy to its patients for quite some time but, now that the therapists have their own space in the hospital, they will be able to nearly triple their music therapy efforts. The state-of-the-art studio included in the new Sophie’s Place, will make remote music therapy sessions now possible. This means that the music therapists at C.S. Mott Children’s will be able to work with nearly 25,000 patients in the coming year between in-person and live-stream sessions.

Patients and parents will also be able to use this recording studio to record special songs and music videos, helping them make meaningful memories during their hospital stay, and creating something they can always treasure- which is especially significant for parents of patients with terminal conditions.

The ribbon-cutting was done by hospital professionals alongside patients, something they are sure to remember for years to come. There was a performance by Sophie’s three brothers- who performed one of Sophie’s own songs in a beautiful tribute. We were also honored to have performances by Ali McManus (of the Healing Notes Foundation) and Jake Allen, as well as Meredith (one of our own music therapists) with her patient Elizabeth.

When speaking about the new space, board-certified music therapist Meredith said: “A dedicated music therapy space is making such a difference in our hospital so far. We have been able to see a lot more patients and use upgraded technology and instruments to truly make a difference to accessing music therapy care. I have been so excited for our team to use the space and see their creativity as well as planning sessions!”

This space is not only going to greatly improve the quality of life for patients at C.S. Mott, giving them something to look forward to during hard hospital stays, but it will also contribute to their ability to heal as patients work with the music therapists in it.

As the years go on we hope to see many more Sophie’s Place locations throughout the country so that many more pediatric hospitals can gain access to this kind of effective care. Are you interested in advocating for a Sophie’s Place in your local hospital? Fill out the “Contact Us” form at the bottom of the page to learn how.