Employee’s music brings ministry, joy to employees and patients

From the excitement of a newborn to grief for an ailing loved one, a hospital is home to a wide range of emotions expressed by both patients and health care workers. Stress is high among those. One employee at Baptist Health System in San Antonio is taking his vocation a step further to help relieve the stresses and boost the joys.

Pastoral Director for Mission Trail (MTBH) and Northeast Baptist Hospitals (NEBH), Tim Cranfill, D.Min., is so passionate about supporting patients, families and co-workers that he’s added music to his ministry. A talented musician, Dr. Cranfill plays multiple instruments including the saxophone, trumpet, flute and trombone. On many occasions one can find him in the cafeteria at either hospital where he voluntarily plays for a captive audience. Smooth jazz and calming classics complement the aroma of fresh fares as employees and patients’ families have their lunch.

Jackie Kuehl, RN in MTBH’s Cath Lab, said Cranfill’s music is therapeutic. “If you’re stressed and rushing through lunch, it makes you slow down and forget your worries,” Kuehl said. “It can be soothing especially for families of patients in the ICU.”

Katy Gutierrez, an EKG technician, agreed. “It transports you away from stress and you return to your job feeling better,” she said.

When asked why he does it, Cranfill said, “If my music can help my BHS family to handle stress and maybe be healthier, then this is part of my mission.”