In 2000, Dr. C. Richard Stasney founded
in the performing arts, is to benefit
a department that has surpassed
Houston Methodist’s Center for
from the experiences, treatment
even Dr. Stasney’s expectations.
Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) –
and research taking place within
the nation’s first institutionally backed
the center.”
center specializing in the healing of
Patricia became a patient of
In late 2013, when the Center for Performing Arts Medicine Advisory Board announced the creation of
Dr. Stasney prior to the launch of
Stasney Chorus, the Rauches were
CPAM. She lost her voice for seven
the first to join. Stasney Chorus has
for performers has evolved and now
years following the removal of a
210 members who support CPAM’s
explores ways to incorporate arts in
tumor wrapped around her laryngeal
growth and initiatives, including research
the hospital environment through the
nerve. Dr. Stasney successfully
to advance new therapies and treat-
Margaret Alkek Williams performance
performed an innovative procedure
ments, health education support for
series, to lead groundbreaking research,
which restored Patricia’s vocal cords.
performers, integration of the arts
performers in the arts. CPAM’s initial focus on caring
to develop arts therapy and to provide
“I would not be speaking today
into the hospital environment and
health education to artists and the
were it not for Dr. Richard Stasney,”
investment in new tools, technologies
community.
declares Patricia.
and facilities to provide high-quality
Recently, Stasney Chorus
Throughout the many treatments
care for all patients. “One’s philanthropic donation is
was created to fund the exceptional
and follow-ups Patricia had with
initiatives underway at CPAM.
Dr. Stasney, they began to discuss a
an investment,” notes Patricia. “How
Founding members, Patricia and
concept he had for a revolutionary
inspiring it is to witness one’s gift,
Mark Rauch, were inspired by the
center for performing arts medicine.
one’s investment, as both productive
concept and have been involved
“He had a whim of an idea,”
and beneficial for patients and staff
explains Patricia. “If there is a sports
at Houston Methodist. During the
medicine department, why is there
more than 100 annual Margaret Alkek
Medicine has expanded Houston
not a performing arts medicine
Williams Performance Series concerts
Methodist’s boundaries, providing
department?” Throughout their dis-
and presentations, you can see, hear
nationally and internationally recog-
cussions, Patricia encouraged him
and feel how moving it is for patients,
nized evaluation and treatment of
and began providing philanthropic
physicians and staff. The moment
performing artists,” says Patricia.
support for the center’s founding.
you experience that, you’ll want to
from the beginning. “The Center for Performing Arts
“Dr. Stasney’s broader vision for all
Now, for nearly 15 years, Houston
patients, including those who are not
Methodist has grown and maintained
“The dedication, the caring that Dr. Stasney and the cpam team exhibit has renewed my faith in the real reasons why doctors do what they do.” Patricia Rauch (right, with husband mark Rauch), member of the cpam advisory board AND Founding Member of Stasney Chorus
Visit houstonmethodist.org/foundation to join Stasney Chorus.
step up to the plate and become a member of Stasney Chorus.”