An art therapy student paints with a patient as part of Shands Hospital’s Arts in Healthcare program in Gainesville, Florida. Bringing the arts into hospital settings helps to humanize healthcare and make it less sterile, and some studies show it can also improve patient outcomes.

The Ahn Trio performs for patients and staff at Shands Hospital. Arts programs at hospitals cost little, but are often perceived by patients and visitors as a welcome luxury.

A Shands Hospital staff member plays music for a dialysis patient.

Danielle DeCosmo, an artist in residence at Shands, plays for a patient.