SGO Wellness: Harmony and Healing—How Music and Art Impact Wellness | Amanda Nickles Fader, MD

As gynecologic oncology providers, our professional lives are immensely rewarding yet marked by demanding hours, complex problem-solving, high-stakes procedures, and emotional highs and lows in caring for our cherished patients. To decompress from this wonderful but stressful career, I find sanctuary in my family, music and the arts, passions I share with my loved ones.

Amanda at her college thesis violin recital

Music and the performing arts have always been integral to my life. My parents loved classical music and jazz and instilled that love in my siblings and me. My father was an amateur pianist, my brother became a professional cellist, and my sister trained as a ballerina before becoming an actor. I grew up playing the violin and participating in youth orchestras, competitions, and music camps, where I formed lasting friendships and cherished memories. I also experienced the joy and humility of learning a craft I loved.

I majored in music at the University of Virginia, focusing on violin performance and pursuing pre-medicine studies. While I ultimately fell in love with medicine, I continued playing violin during medical school, residency, and fellowship, performing in string quartets, weddings, and medical settings for patients. Having a creative outlet was essential for managing the demands of post-graduate training.

Ana, Zachary and Ben at the Parthenon in Athens, Greece

As a mother and gynecologic oncologist, I don’t get to play my instrument as often as I would like; however, I still enjoy the arts immensely and love exploring different cultures and art forms with my husband and our three children.

Music and art remain a form of therapy for me—a way to decompress and reconnect with my inner self and loved ones. Sharing these moments with my family is incredibly rewarding, and watching my children embrace and participate in the performing arts is even more special.

I recently read Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us by Johns Hopkins Professor of Neurology Susan Magsamen. This remarkable book articulates the profound impact of art on our wellbeing, exploring the science behind how engaging with art—whether as creators or appreciators—enhances mental and emotional health. Magsamen details how art can reduce stress and improve cognitive function. A key takeaway is that art stimulates the brain, promotes neuroplasticity, and enhances our ability to process emotions and experiences. This premise aligns with my experiences, as music has been vital for fostering creativity and maintaining my mental and emotional balance.

Zachary as Nick Bottom in Something Rotten

Ana as Miss Spider in James and The Giant Peach

Magsamen further emphasizes the healing power of art, which is particularly relevant in gynecologic oncology. Integrating art or music therapy into patient care can help patients express emotions, cope with diagnoses, and find comfort during treatment. I enjoy discussing the arts with my patients; my love of the violin, mentioned in my online institutional bio, often sparks conversations. Sharing what brings us joy humanizes oncology providers and helps us connect with patients over shared interests.

As I write this blog, I realize it’s been over a year since I last opened my violin case. Today, as I opened that case and drew the bow across the strings, I was filled with a sense of serenity and fulfillment, reconnecting with an instrument that has brought me great joy over the years. Magsamen’s Your Brain on Art scientifically validates what we intuitively know: art and music are powerful healing forces contributing to wellbeing. As we navigate the complexities of modern life and work, let’s embrace the arts and other things that bring us happiness outside of gynecologic oncology. These pursuits offer us stimulation and harmony, allowing us to heal others while prioritizing our wellbeing.

Amanda Nickles Fader, MD, is a Gynecologic Oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and the 2024-2025 SGO President.