NYMC Students Present Virtual Concert for Patients at WMC Behavioral Health Center

SOM and SHSP Presented the Third Annual “NYMC Concert for Behavioral Health"

May 10, 2021
NYMC Concert for Behavioral Health 2021 Group Playing Instruments on Stage
NYMC Concert for Behavioral Health 2021

On May 5, students from the School of Medicine (SOM) and the School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) presented the third annual “NYMC Concert for Behavioral Health" at Westchester Medical Center Health (WMCHealth) Network’s Behavioral Health Center. Behavioral health patients of all ages were shown pre-recorded performances as a way to lift their spirits. The 13-song concert, performed by NYMC students, included “Toxic” by Britney Spears, “Hey Ya” by Outkast and “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga.

"It was incredibly rewarding to be able to give back to this patient population, despite the challenges of doing the concert virtually,” said Sean Lynch, SOM Class of 2021, who helped coordinate the event.

The patients at the Behavioral Health Center ranged from children to seniors as the NYMC students performed renditions of popular songs from the early 2000s to mid-2010s.

“It's very touching to see a smile on a patient's face, a foot-tapping, someone dancing and singing along, or playing the tambourine to the music,” said Mr. Lynch.

Along with Mr. Lynch, the event was organized by Emily Groenendaal, SOM Class of 2021, and Hamza Khan-Tareen, SOM Class of 2022, and was supervised by Greenwich Village Orchestra Director and Music Therapist Barbara Yahr.