'Music is good for the soul': A holiday concert warms spirits inside the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre

A holiday concert dubbed ‘Clinic Notes’ warmed hearts inside LHSC’s Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre today.

The performance is put on by a group of clinicians – among them Dr. Scott Ernst, a Medical oncologist at LHSC.

“We've all been doing music all our lives, and so it's been fun to bring our talents together… at this time of the year,” said Dr. Ernst. “And we are just happy to be able to share the joy this season with our colleagues and patients and their families.”

The group, which has been putting this concert on for 10 years, consists of seven oncology physicians (Dr. Kylea Potvin, Dr. Muriel Brackstone, Dr. Maria Parent, Dr. David DeVries, Dr. David D’Souza, and Dr. Vivian Tan).

Today’s performance began at noon, lasting for 45 minutes inside the atrium of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, and was put on for patients, their families and staff.

Staff and patients gather to listen to music performed inside LHSC’s Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, December 12, 2024. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

“Music is good for the soul, and it helps to heal too,” said cancer survivor John Medema.

Among those in attendance, were some of the physician’s family members, including Dr. Ernst’s daughter Rachael Bohlender.

“My dad has always had a love of music, and it was always around our house, and this is something that every year is an annual thing, not only here, but like at our house,” said Bohlender.

On the piano was Dr. David D’Souza whose family was in the crowd, beaming with pride.

“It's an awesome concert, I come every year,” said Dr. D’Souza’s wife Lisa. “They do such a fabulous job, and to know that they're so talented, both doctors and musicians as well.”