I am increasingly using the Care for the Journey Audio Resource as a part of my intensive work with practicing nurses, an affirmation of the caring-healing model of our work. I’m wanting you to know about this CD as something that you may wish to share with the nurses in your system.

For Nurses Week, I bought a copy of Care for the Journey: Messages with Music for Sustaining the Heart of Healthcare, for every one of my RN colleagues. It felt to me a good way of honoring their important work, and their need for self-care as they travel around the country facilitating Creative Health Care Management's implementations of Relationship-based Care (RBC) in hospitals and health systems.

In addition, I have already used it several times in my own consultant practice.

While in upstate New York recently launching an RBC implementation, I shared track # 11 (the Appreciation Montage with Desmond Tutu) at the end of the day as an affirmation of the commitment they were making, and as these nurse and allied health leaders face their own journey to change the culture in their hospital.

The next day, while orienting the steering team to their specific functions, I played Jean Watson's track (The Caring Moment), to reinforce the caring theories we had just reviewed, core to the RBC curriculum. During breaks I played the instrumental tracks.

This past Wednesday while presenting a keynote address in NYC for Nurse Week celebrations, I chose track # 11 again to complete my remarks. The impact was profound...as evidenced by the tears and smiles I observed, and the many comments made afterwards! I listen to this track often and never fail to experience a visceral response...goose bumps, tears, and a warmth in my heart particularly hearing the voice and message of Desmond Tutu. Amazing impact! So powerful!

So, thank you for this wonderful work! Music is so central to healing, and it's a particular passion of mine. I use it always in my practice, and this CD is exceptional.

I attended the April, 2005, Harvard Mind/Body Institute conference Spirituality and Healing in Medicine in Santa Fe. At the conference, I attended the Care for the Journey workshop presented by Gary Malkin and Mary Matthiesen. I was absolutely astounded at the work. During the workshop, I witnessed a room full of physicians, along with nurses, PAs, social workers, therapists and hospital chaplains moved deeply by the words and music of CFJ. I am sure that this CD will be of use to those who work in all aspects of healthcare. The messages are poignant - and as a previous music major, I was impressed by the beauty and the nuances of the accompanying scores. The compilation of messages and music together accomplished what the two alone could not do - they touched the spirit of those who heard it...

Since the conference, I have used one of the tracks during a presentation that I gave at the American Academy of Physician Assistants' national conference and recommended it to PAs/educators there. Additionally, I plan to use the CD during my Patient Evaluation and Professional Development courses at the university, as well as upcoming graduation ceremonies for our students. The applications for CFJ are numerous and I highly recommend it to both educators and healthcare professionals. I do believe that this CD will help "sustain the heart of healthcare." Thank you for your work - it has blessed me, has reminded me of the reasons for choosing medicine as my life's work, and has renewed me.

Anyone who ever has to see a doctor should listen to Care for The Journey. Upon listening to this finely crafted work, you feel as if you are a part of a sacred and privileged moment. Gifted mentors, all leaders in healthcare, offer deep wisdom to doctors and nurses that can be visualized right in front of you.

When you next go to a doctor's office, clinic or hospital, Care for the Journey will support you to play your part by seeing those who serve you not only as skilled medical professionals- but also as human beings who are committed to fully serving you. This CD gives you a direct experience of the integrity that is at the core of the caregiver's path. Care for the Journey will reignite your belief in the healing profession.