Christopher Wright
June 2025
Christopher
Wright
,
RN
Critical Care Unit
Orange Coast Memorial Care
Fountain Valley
,
CA
United States
Sometimes being at the hospital can be boring and sad, because I want to be at home with my family. This made me feel like there is hope. They sang, ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ and I thought the guitar was coming from the stereo – it was so amazing.
Rosie Obligacion and Chris Wright, have launched “Healing Harmonies,” a unique volunteer-based musical program designed to provide comfort and solace through live music. This heartfelt endeavor, driven by Rosie and Chris’s compassion and love for music, has been embraced and supported by Orange Coast Medical Center.
Rosie and Chris, full-time overnight nurses in the cardiac care unit, spend their nights dedicated to caring for critically ill patients. However, their commitment to their patients does not end even after their 12-hour nursing shift. At dawn, they clock out and put on their volunteer shirts, transforming into the musical volunteer duo “Healing Harmonies,” spreading cheer through heartfelt performances.
“Sometimes hospitals can be so alienating, and I want to show them that we care,” says Chris Wright. “We are not just here to get a paycheck. We want to be a source of light in their loneliness. We are here for the patients who never smile, and once we play for them, that changes; we get that smile, and they sing along.”
The musical experience is unforgettable. Their soothing melodies uplift spirits and heal souls, creating a harmonious atmosphere during challenging times. Combining captivating vocals and soothing guitar melodies, they visit various units within the hospital, kindly inquiring if any patients would like to experience the uplifting music. Patients are offered a selection of songs from different genres, allowing them to choose their favorites.
“We started ‘Healing Harmonies’ at Orange Coast Medical Center because we want to promote a holistic healing approach for our patients,” says Rosie Obligacion. “Our patients may be deeply afraid, in psychological pain, or physical pain, and instead of giving them strong pain medication or a sedative, we try and sing to them first. It helps them calm down enough to relax, sleep, and ultimately, heal.”
For one 26-year-old, having “Healing Harmonies” sing to her while she was at the hospital has been a source of light during a difficult time. A security guard at the hospital was so moved by Rosie and Chris that he also decided to join in on the performance that day.
“Sometimes being at the hospital can be boring and sad, because I want to be at home with my family,” says 26-year-old A. “This made me feel like there is hope. They sang, ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ and I thought the guitar was coming from the stereo – it was so amazing.”
I also wanted to take a moment to share a recent music therapy experience that touched two patients in our CCU. Both Chris and Rosie played for a recovering heart patient, a tall man who managed to make it to the chair that morning. As Rosie began to sing, we noticed tears forming in his eyes. It was such a tender and unexpected reaction, and it reminded us of the deep, emotional connection music can bring.
Later that day, they also sang for another patient and his wife. Initially, they mentioned they weren’t particularly fond of music but graciously allowed us to play one song. Halfway through, when the lyrics of the Frank Sinatra classic said, “In other words, hold my hand,” they instinctively reached for each other’s hands. Afterward, I pointed out their sweet gesture, and they shared that they have been married for 54 years. It was a profoundly moving moment, made even more special when the nurse mentioned she hadn’t seen the patient that engaged in days. Even amidst confusion and his mental fog in the ICU, music created a shared moment of love and connection for them.
Rosie and Chris, full-time overnight nurses in the cardiac care unit, spend their nights dedicated to caring for critically ill patients. However, their commitment to their patients does not end even after their 12-hour nursing shift. At dawn, they clock out and put on their volunteer shirts, transforming into the musical volunteer duo “Healing Harmonies,” spreading cheer through heartfelt performances.
“Sometimes hospitals can be so alienating, and I want to show them that we care,” says Chris Wright. “We are not just here to get a paycheck. We want to be a source of light in their loneliness. We are here for the patients who never smile, and once we play for them, that changes; we get that smile, and they sing along.”
The musical experience is unforgettable. Their soothing melodies uplift spirits and heal souls, creating a harmonious atmosphere during challenging times. Combining captivating vocals and soothing guitar melodies, they visit various units within the hospital, kindly inquiring if any patients would like to experience the uplifting music. Patients are offered a selection of songs from different genres, allowing them to choose their favorites.
“We started ‘Healing Harmonies’ at Orange Coast Medical Center because we want to promote a holistic healing approach for our patients,” says Rosie Obligacion. “Our patients may be deeply afraid, in psychological pain, or physical pain, and instead of giving them strong pain medication or a sedative, we try and sing to them first. It helps them calm down enough to relax, sleep, and ultimately, heal.”
For one 26-year-old, having “Healing Harmonies” sing to her while she was at the hospital has been a source of light during a difficult time. A security guard at the hospital was so moved by Rosie and Chris that he also decided to join in on the performance that day.
“Sometimes being at the hospital can be boring and sad, because I want to be at home with my family,” says 26-year-old A. “This made me feel like there is hope. They sang, ‘Here Comes the Sun,’ and I thought the guitar was coming from the stereo – it was so amazing.”
I also wanted to take a moment to share a recent music therapy experience that touched two patients in our CCU. Both Chris and Rosie played for a recovering heart patient, a tall man who managed to make it to the chair that morning. As Rosie began to sing, we noticed tears forming in his eyes. It was such a tender and unexpected reaction, and it reminded us of the deep, emotional connection music can bring.
Later that day, they also sang for another patient and his wife. Initially, they mentioned they weren’t particularly fond of music but graciously allowed us to play one song. Halfway through, when the lyrics of the Frank Sinatra classic said, “In other words, hold my hand,” they instinctively reached for each other’s hands. Afterward, I pointed out their sweet gesture, and they shared that they have been married for 54 years. It was a profoundly moving moment, made even more special when the nurse mentioned she hadn’t seen the patient that engaged in days. Even amidst confusion and his mental fog in the ICU, music created a shared moment of love and connection for them.