Future Doctors Jam In New Jersey: ‘Moments Of Joy’ At Rutgers (VIDEO)

NEWARK, NJ — There’s a place where art and science meet and not only cooperate, but create something wonderful. That’s the philosophy behind the “Vocal Chords: Jazz Ensemble and A Capella Group” at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, which is composed of students chasing their dreams of becoming doctors.

Since 2008, the group has been giving medical students at the college a way to take a breather from their studies and connect with each other on a human level. The group also performs for the community, and has played for patients at University Hospital in Newark and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Through the universal language of music, the group aims to brighten the days of people facing health challenges, tapping into their own emotions to forge deeper connections with patients –and “create moments of joy” along the way, Rutgers administrators say.

“Our mission as future physicians is not limited to problem solving, but to use our skills to provide care to patients using the principles of humanism,” said Ronald Bangiyev, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School student and current member of the group.

“Art is how we maintain and express our connection to the human condition: it channels into our sense of compassion, empathy, love and melancholy,” Bangiyev said.

“In a way, performing helps us to maintain that connection for ourselves as well as our patients,” Bangiyev added. “It consistently reinforces the principles to which we took our oath to heal the members of our community, and often helps us heal as well.”

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