Hope and Will: Music Therapy Alumna Pryce Lofton wins excellence award

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Pryce Lofton receiving the Hope and Will Award from Arthur M. Blank Hospital, plus copy and graphics

The Arthur M. Blank Hospital recognizes individuals and teams for exceptional contributions with the Hope and Will Award. Pryce Lofton (BM ’24) LPMT, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Hematology and Oncology, at Arthur M. Blank Hospital recently received this award. In their words:

Pryce Lofton demonstrates Care About People by using her musical talents to encourage and delight kids and families in our hospitals. Recently, she provided comfort and peace by playing music for a family during their son’s final moments.

A patient’s family in the Technology-Dependent Intensive Care Unit (TICU) made the difficult decision to withdraw ventilator support to allow him to pass away more comfortably. To ease the difficulty of this unimaginable experience, the patient’s mother requested a Music Therapist to come play a few of their favorite worship songs at their son’s bedside. And Pryce stepped up to be there for the family.

“Pryce played for the family throughout the entire process,” said Sam Hosokawa, Vice President, Patient Experience, who presented Lofton with her award. “Even when the other care team members exited to give the family privacy, the mother asked Pryce to come back in and keep playing in their final moments with their son.”

Bravely, the patient’s parents had decided to celebrate their son’s life by donating his organs. Lofton was there every step of the way to the OR, jogging alongside the patient’s bed and playing the songs their family loved so much. 

“So many of the co-workers and team members who witnessed what Pryce did for that family watched in awe,” Hosokawa said. “It was truly the most beautiful moment that she created for them. This moment truly showed what lengths Pryce goes to for patients, families and staff...[and] what an incredible impact Pryce made on that family during the hardest moment of their lives.”

After the patient’s passing, his mother reached out to express her gratitude for the team, especially Lofton. “A special thank you is due to that sweet music therapist for the extra support, encouragement and outpouring of love to our little warrior and family.”