ONU pharmacy students bringing music therapy to Vancrest
Several Ohio Northern University College of Pharmacy students will provide music therapy to elderly residents of Vancrest of Ada, Thursday, Dec. 5.
The event is part of an ongoing effort involving ONU pharmacy students utilizing music therapy to treat patients with Alzheimer’s dementia and symptoms associated with it such as agitation, anxiety and depression.
This is the third year of the endeavor, and it involves more than 50 students in the student chapter of American Society of American Consultants (ASCP) this semester.
The music therapy outreach helps ONU pharmacy students learn the benefits of a non-drug approach to certain diseases as part of the expanding role of pharmacists.
“The part of the brain that stores memories is the last to be impacted by Alzheimer’s dementia, and through music, memories are often stirred that are otherwise inaccessible because of the disease,” ONU College of Pharmacy faculty member Kelly Reilly Kroustos said.
The students perform a range of music, such as traditional Christian, country and western, and big band, with selections from such artists as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles.
The project serves the community and also provides the students with invaluable practical experience that extends learning beyond the traditional classrooms and labs.
“The skills the students learn from this experience are invaluable to them in their careers,” ASCP chapter advisor and ONU College of Pharmacy faculty member Kristen Finley Sobota said. “Not only do they foster the human skills, which are important, but they learn to engage with elderly patients.”
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, May 31, 2025
- Ada’s Jolliff advances to state track
- Bulldog softball edged in extra inning regional final
- Jeni S. Hall worked for Keybridge Medical Revenue Care
- Weekend Doctor: A day in the life of a primary care physician
- Ohio Sales Tax Holiday announced for August 1-14
- 142nd annual Ada High School Commencement mints 50 new alumni
- Six Lions scholarships awarded to Ada seniors
Friday, May 30, 2025
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
- Roy V. Rogers worked for Allen East Schools
- Pope and Wagner are Ada Rotary scholarship recipients for 2025
- Sondra A. Combs was a hairdresser and homemaker
- Upcoming APL events, May 26-31
- Stay tuned for AHS graduation and Memorial Day coverage
- Pope and Wagner are Ada Rotary scholarship recipients for 2025