Hitting the high notes: WVU Hospitals choir in tune with teamwork

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Hospitals Rehabilitation Services staff are improving team bonding in a unique and fun way – by lifting their voices up in song. 

When Michael Fechik, O.T.R., L.S.W., manager of Rehabilitation Services at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and WVU Medicine Children's, joined the staff 16 months ago, he understood the challenge of streamlining communication throughout a very active department. He wished to improve teamwork in a way that differed from typical meetings discussing patient issues, protocols, and other heavy topics in such a stressful environment.   

Fechik learned of the growing popularity of choirs in the workplace. Large companies like Boeing, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google successfully used employee choirs to reduce burnout and break down hierarchical barriers. A choir created the type of social cohesiveness Fechik was looking for – plus, it was fun. Fechik credited great departmental leadership, which loved the idea, and with their backing, the Rehab Choir was born. 

“Just because we come to work, and we're assigned certain duties doesn’t mean we can’t have fun,” Fechik said. “And one of the things that choir does, it’s enjoyable. It’s an outlet for us, too, to come to this very intense healthcare environment and bring something positive.”  

Singing offers numerous benefits. It can reduce stress, improve mood, increase cognitive health, and boost confidence. Singing together as a work team enhances employee engagement, fosters bonding, creates networking opportunities, and improves relationships. “Singing is an expression of emotion,” Fechik added. “When the group sings together, they bond together.”   

“I recall the first time we practiced here a little over 14 months ago,” he continued. “After that choir practice, there was just an eruption of emotion in the department that was significantly positive. It was like, you leave the busyness of your day and say, ‘Okay. You know, my three patients are not doing well today.’ You take all these emotions, go down and take 45 minutes, and sing in a choir. It does something to the endorphins.”   

This release of endorphins helps people to relax, even in extremely active work settings. Fechik believes this carries over and breaks down barriers in meetings. As he explained, in most meetings, there is typically one group that engages in conversation. However, there is always another group that simply sits quietly.   

“But you switch over to a choir, and you get this very reclusive person – all of a sudden you hear this magnificent voice,” he said. “And you think, why and where has that been hidden for so long?”   

The singer now has much more confidence. Others in the meeting will remember that ‘magnificent voice’ in the choir and see them as an integral part of the team with a hidden talent – a talent that would not have been expressed without the choir.   

Because the choir worked so well within his department, Fechik began asking other staff members to join. Employees from departments throughout Ruby Memorial, Children’s, and WVU Medicine’s Rosenbaum Family House now make up the very diverse group. Fechik said choir members include physicians, directors, administrators, and ancillary team members. Due to its expansion, the choir changed its name to the Rehab Choir and Friends.   

“I’ve always enjoyed singing,” Marissa Bailey, special events coordinator with WVU Hospitals’ Bravo! Reward and Recognition Program, said. She met Fechik last year, and he asked her to join. “I think it’s been great, like the whole group here, to be able to kind of tie that love into our workplace, which is really nice.”  

Valerie Knupp, a recently retired physical therapist, serves as the choir director. As a music lover herself, Knupp was excited to be a part of the choir while she was a staff member. Fechik asked Knupp if she would join them again this holiday season, and she happily agreed.   

Knupp said while she worked with Fechik, she would always sing to the patients to comfort them and give them some joy, especially when they felt down. She is excited to share her love of music by directing the choir.   

“I love these guys,” Knupp said. “These are my friends, and I enjoy it.”  

The choir is accompanied by Fechik on guitar; Katherine Hill, M.D., general surgeon, on keyboard; and Jeri-Sue Santangelo, an administrative assistant in Nursing Administration, on flute. This year, the holiday program includes 14 songs featuring a variety of traditional Christmas carols and a Hannukah song. The choir performs for patients and staff throughout Ruby and the Family House during the holiday season.   

On Nov. 6, Fechik received the Employee Experience Champion Award at WVU Hospitals’ annual awards ceremony. He was nominated for this new award in part due to his efforts to increase staff engagement with the Rehab Choir and Friends.   

Fechik explained the way he helps people get involved is a model of how he functions as a leader, not only in the workplace but also in his personal life.   

“Does it really provide teamwork?” he said of the choir. “Does it really reduce stress? Does it help have a positive effect on emotional connection? I believe it does.”  

The choir will perform at WVU Medicine Children’s annual "Holiday Lights & Good Nights" tree lighting, which will take place at 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event will be streamed live on the WVU Medicine Children’s Facebook page. 

To learn more about rehabilitation services at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, click here.