Christmas carols at Florida Hospital New Smyrna

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., December 22, 2017 Throughout December, patients and visitors at Florida Hospital New Smyrna received special Christmas cheer. On Dec. 11, the New Smyrna Beach Dulcimer Society brought 12 musicians to Florida Hospital New Smyrna to play Christmas carols on the mountain dulcimer, an instrument with origins dating back the European continent during medieval times. The group started playing for guests in the Schildecker Lobby and then moved to various locations throughout the 112-bed hospital. The New Smyrna Beach Dulcimer Society promotes the mountain dulcimer and other acoustic instruments by playing and teaching music on these instruments. On Dec. 14, children from the Oretha Bell/New Smyrna Beach Boys and Girls Club sang Christmas carols for patients and staff at Florida Hospital New Smyrna. What a treat it was to have both the children of the Boys and Girls Club, as well as the Dulcimer Society musicians, spread Christmas cheer with their uplifting music, said Ken Mattison, Florida Hospital New Smyrna CEO. Music is incredibly powerful and hearing these cheerful voices and listening to the familiar melodies was a wonderful way to usher in this holiday season. About Florida Hospital New Smyrna Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 45 hospital campuses and 8,200 licensed beds in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, Florida Hospital New Smyrna has 112-beds and is one of the seven Florida Hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital New Smyrna, visit www.FHNewSmyrna.org. Photo Caption: On Dec. 14, children from the Oretha Bell/New Smyrna Beach Boys and Girls Club sang Christmas carols for patients and staff at Florida Hospital New Smyrna. Pictured here, the children visit the nursing unit on the third floor at Florida Hospital New Smyrna.