The Power of Music: How a Piano Saved A Pharmacist

Kristin Kennamer had been an unhappy pharmacy student at Samford University for only a short time when she decided that pharmacy just wasn't for her. She announced her plans to drop out of the program to the assistant dean, but the dean encouraged Kristin to give it a little while longer.

In the meantime, Kristin decided to purchase a piano for her college room at Samford. She already owned one, but it was back at her parent's home and she was not able to move it to her new haven at the university. Playing the black and white keys had always been a passion in Kristin's life and she missed it immensely. So she bought a new acoustic upright and placed it in her room at school. When she was able to start playing again, it changed her entire outlook! It became the best medicine this future pharmacist could ask for. Thanks to the powerful healing force of music, Kristin stayed in Pharmacy School and earned her degree. In her own words, “That piano got me through Pharmacy School!”

That was over 15 years ago, but Kristin’s passion for piano didn't stop in pharmacy school. Almost two years ago, she recently purchased another piano. This time, she upgraded and treated herself to a beautiful handmade Shigeru Kawai grand that she purchased at Ellis Piano. How did she know that the Shigeru was the one for her? Kristin said, “At some point, I was no longer playing it . . . IT was playing me. And that was it. The Shigeru played me.”

Just how passionate about piano is Kristin? She is an advanced pianist who plays beautifully and even composes. She also dressed up like a grand piano one year for Halloween! How interesting that a lady who dispenses medicine for a living discovered a long time ago that, for her, the best prescription is music. Thanks to the piano, there is one more excellent and happy pharmacist in the world.

#Music #Medicine