Resume
CHERYL KRIPKE COHEN, RN, MSN, HCMHT
FromMyHarp@comcast.net 215-233-1281 www.FromMyHarp.com
CAREER SUMMARY
Holistic Nurse with over 30 years of experience in a variety of health care settings. Passionate about helping people cope with health issues by bringing a caring, healing presence and utilizing various integrative therapies such as therapeutic music, guided imagery, gentle touch, aromatherapy, humor, laughter, and play. Strong communication skills facilitate trust, emotional support, and empathy with patients and their loved ones, and effective collaboration with staff.
Harp Therapist with mastery level proficiency in musical improvisation, an extensive musical repertoire, and the ability to play songs by ear. Harp music is individualized to patients to promote healing of their physical, emotional, mental, and/or spiritual needs, as well as to the needs of their significant others. Able to create therapeutic music to bring a stress reducing and serene environment that promotes wellness.
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Advanced Holistic Nurse–Board Certified – February 2017
American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, Cedar Park, TX
Hospital Certified Harp Therapist and Hospital Certified Master Harp Therapist – August 2005
Bedside Harp, Bensalem, PA and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Primary Health Care – August 1986
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude – May 1981
Boston University, Boston, MA
Licensed Registered Nurse since 1981
Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner Trainee – May 2017 to present
RJ Buckle Associates, Inc., North Richland Hills, TX
Certified Full Body 'M' Technique Practitioner – August 2017
RJ Buckle Associates, Inc., North Richland Hills, TX
HARP THERAPY WORK EXPERIENCE
Hospitals and Cancer Centers
PAOLI HOSPITAL – MAIN LINE HEALTH – Paoli, PA, November 2009 – August 2017
Pioneered harp therapy throughout this 231-bed community hospital. Harp music was played in patient rooms and hallways of medical, surgical, telemetry, cardiac, orthopedic, oncology, progressive care and intensive care units, ambulatory surgical unit, pre-op and recovery rooms, emergency department, waiting rooms, and the outpatient cancer center. Played therapeutic music on the piano in hospital atrium. Provided ‘harp massages’ to nursing staff during nurses week event.
FOX CHASE CANCER CENTER - Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 2012 - May 2013; Sept. 2013 - May 2014
Initiated harp therapy at this National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, research facility, and 64-bed hospital. Therapeutic harp music played in both outpatient and inpatient areas. Outpatient work included the chemo infusion rooms, radiation department, women’s center, patient education resource centers, and waiting areas/lobbies. Inpatient work included the surgical, medical, and intensive care units in patient rooms, hallways, visitor lounges and waiting areas.
ABINGTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - Abington, PA, December 2006 - April 2009
Introduced harp therapy in this 665-bed teaching hospital in patient rooms and hallways. Visited medical, surgical, oncology, hospice, pediatric, telemetry, neurology, and orthopedic units, the heart center, pre-op and recovery rooms, emergency room, inpatient psychiatric, dialysis, progressive care, rehabilitation and heart failure units, antepartum, postpartum, labor and delivery units, five intensive care units and waiting areas. Played harp music in outpatient cancer center. Facilitated partnership between Bedside Harp and Abington Memorial Hospital. Supervised and mentored harp therapy interns. Provided harp music at employee wellness events.
Hospices
HOSPICE COMPASSUS - Willow Grove, PA, May 2011 - June 2012
Pioneered harp therapy for hospice patients and their significant others in long-term care facilities and private homes in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties.
COMPASSIONATE CARE HOSPICE - Bensalem, PA, September 2009 - March 2011
Introduced harp therapy for hospice patients and their significant others in long-term care facilities and private homes in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties.
CARING HOSPICE - Fort Washington, PA, January 2007 - April 2009
Initiated harp therapy services for hospice patients and their significant others in long-term care facilities and private homes in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties.
Long-Term Care Facilities
CATHEDRAL VILLAGE - Philadelphia, PA, January 2011 - present
Provide harp therapy throughout skilled nursing, memory impairment, and rehab units. Play harp music for residents in their rooms and in groups.
ARISTA CARE AT MEADOW SPRINGS - Plymouth Meeting, PA, January 2011 - present
Provide harp therapy throughout post-acute trauma care facility specializing in rehabilitation, pulmonary, neuromuscular and neurological care. Play harp music for residents in their rooms.
CHESTER VALLEY REHAB AND NURSING CENTER - Malvern, PA, February 2013 - present
Play harp music for a group of residents in the memory impairment unit. Make room visits sharing harp music in residents’ rooms in skilled nursing and memory impairment units.
BROOMALL REHAB AND NURSING CENTER - Broomall, PA, May 2012 - December 2013
Provided harp music for a group of residents living in a dementia unit.
NESHAMINY MANOR NURSING HOME - Warrington, PA, October 2007 - December 2011
Provided group harp music to residents in the dementia and skilled nursing units, and in residents’ rooms.
ADDITIONAL HARP WORK EXPERIENCE
Play harp music at wellness events, funerals, memorial and healing services, and private homes. Perform at weddings, special events and celebrations. Teach private harp lessons.
PEDIATRIC NURSING WORK EXPERIENCE
Practiced Nursing, specializing in pediatric health care, for 20 years. Worked on an inpatient general pediatric hospital unit, inpatient adolescent unit, and in a few pediatric primary care settings. Became a Certified Breast Feeding Counselor in 1987 at Childbirth Education Association of Greater Philadelphia and a Certified Parenting Educator in 1992 at Parents’ Network in Fort Washington, PA.