The Arts in Medicine Program at Moffitt Cancer Center founded two decades ago is designed to inspire, comfort, encourage and empower patients. It is a cutting-edge, fully funded program; there are only a handful of programs like it. Currently, six people are on staff: 3 in visual arts, 2 musicians, and a program coordinator. Positions in visual arts and music are part-time, while the program coordinator is full-time.

Lloyd focuses on spending at least 70 percent of his days at Moffitt visiting patients at their bedsides

Before performing at Moffitt, Lloyd had to complete a course to become a certified music practitioner. During the duration of the course he said there was one concept that really spoke to him; entrainment. He explained this concept focuses on connecting with patients on an emotional level. The program is not designed to offer any form of psychological therapy, but rather allow patients the opportunity to open up and revert to a state of being prior to their diagnosis. The goal is to give patients the ability to solve problems by using a creative process.

Lloyd focuses on spending at least 70 percent of his days at Moffitt visiting patients at their bedsides. When the size of his instrument hinders him from setting up in a patient’s room, he sets up in the hallway and plays into the room. Most of the time playing in the hallway sparks the interest of patients in adjacent rooms creating a ripple effect.

He takes pride in developing relationships with everyone at Moffitt and says when he is not playing at a patient’s bedside he is playing at out patient clinics, waiting rooms, lobbies, and any public area.