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Student volunteer lifts patients, staff through music
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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
After three months, MUSC student volunteer Will Dantzler already
realizes the value of volunteering and a commitment to service. The
Bishop England High School senior spent much of his summer visiting
patients, helping hospital staff on projects and sharing his musical
talents as a junior volunteer at the University Hospital. The
experience not only allowed him to gain some valuable experiences
working in areas of health care, but it also helped him gain personal
enrichment by caring and doing things for others.
 Will Dantzler
A shy, quiet young man, Dantzler, 17, is described as modest,
intelligent, honorable and mature for his age. A model student, author
(he wrote a fantasy novel called Sword of the Dragonmaster at age 13)
and athlete, Dantzler, started volunteering to explore health care
careers and in preparing college applications. In June, he
contacted MUSC Volunteer Services recruiter Robert Watson. It wasn’t
long after Dantzler started that Watson discovered his love for music,
particularly fiddle playing.
Dantlzer began playing the Irish fiddle and bluegrass music at age 9.
He learned it from Allen Thompson, a talented fiddler who
performed regularly on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. He played with the
Lowcountry Celtic fiddle group, Na Fidleiri (composed of musicians ages
12-19), and eventually received classical training with the violin. He
feels more akin to country and bluegrass sounds, plus international
folk music.
With the approval of hospital leadership and some guidance from unit
nurses, Dantzler made his way around four floors of the main hospital
playing music from his repertoire of hymns, popular tunes, bluegrass,
Scottish reels and jigs to anyone who would listen.
“I’d enter a room and play a tune and everyone’s attention would fall
directly on me and my fiddle. Many would sit there mesmerized in the
melody of music. I was more surprised at how a simple tune and
instrument can bring comfort and encourage others. It was an incredible
experience,” said Dantzler.
The family of neurosciences intensive care patient Robert Timko was so
touched by Dantzler’s fiddle playing that it prompted his daughter, Pat
Flystra, to write a note of thanks following her father’s death. “I
know it was through Will’s violin music that enabled my dad to somehow
tell my mom that he loved her one more time,” Flystra wrote.
“It’s incredible how Will instantly brought joy to so many people
through his music,” said Ramona Smith, R.N., 9West
neurology/neurosurgery nurse manager. Dantzler would sometimes stop by
and play for interested patients. “He’s demonstrated that anyone can
make a difference through volunteering.”
In addition to his music making, Dantzler also worked in the Department
of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine recovery room. He lent his
computer knowledge and design skills to create a color brochure and
plaque promoting an MUSC Health1st project. Health 1st is the
institution’s employee wellness program.
Manager Annie Lovering, R.N., had just started the StairWELL Project, a
grant-supported program from the Eat Smart Move More South Carolina
Coalition, to promote healthy lifestyle changes, healthy eating and
active living. The project provided funds to commission the painting of
multiple murals encouraging MUSC employees to be active and use
stairwells at the President Street parking garage.
“Will took a lot of initiative in helping us with this project. We
would collaborate weekly and he would show me his designs and ideas for
my approval. Without Will’s help, this pamphlet would not have been a
reality,” said Lovering.
With school back in session, football season starting and other
commitments, Dantzler has temporarily cut back his volunteer hours at
MUSC. He’s taken his newfound volunteer experience and translated it as
a topic in college application essays he’s already submitted. At this
time, he can’t say that he’ll commit his future entirely to medicine or
music; he hopes to continue to volunteer at the medical center on the
weekends and bring joy to others through his music and involvement.
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
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