Ravinia 2025 Issue 6

Between the stresses and exposures of frequent airplane travel and jet lag, unfamiliar food and lodging, constantly rotating close contact with many different people, and the virtue of a profession that can be thoroughly undone by any degree of cough, cold, congenstion, or queasiness, classical singers can stand to benefit from ready access on-call performing arts medicine practitioners. “The pandemic was a tough time for everyone, and certainly for the arts, but Dr. Reese was extremely helpful so we could get people together again in a safe way,” said Soderstrom. Dr. Reese said the collaboration with Ravinia Festival is as impactful on Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s physiatrists as it is on the artists—a highlight of the summer each time a new season rolls around. “Our physicians love having the op- portunity to work with Ravinia Festival,” said Dr. Reese. “It’s a unique experience to be on call to ensure these top per- formers are supported—and also to play a role in supporting the arts.” Despite great collaboration among artists and physicians, the behind-the- scenes performing arts medicine work- ings go unnoticed by Ravinia Festival guests. With peace of mind and assur- ance that medical care is provided—for onstage performers and backstage staff alike—the result is a seamless, flawless show experience for the audience. Keeping Chicago’s Performing Arts Community Healthy Serving as Ravinia Festival’s on-call medical partner is one of many roles of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s robust per- forming arts medicine program. Clinicians also offer outpatient ap- pointments at the organization’s flagship hospital location in the downtown Chicago Streeterville neighborhood, providing performance-oriented medi- cal evaluation and treatment of neuro- musculoskeletal conditions. Individualized treatment programs address the medical risks specific to the performing arts community, with comprehensive services that include performing arts–focused physical and occupational therapy; diagnostics including MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound imaging; and, when needed, injections for managing acute or chronic pain and inflammation. “Our physiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists treat the whole patient, with special attention to primary pain and symptoms, reinjury pre- vention, and keeping performing artists participating in their art,” said Dr. Reese. Community outreach and education are also core tenets of the program. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provides onsite wellness care at several local theaters and participates in physician-sponsored forums for physical therapists and med- ical trainees, teaching injury prevention and physical exam skills to support musicians and dancers. “Our program is unique in both the depth of our care and the breadth of the people and conditions we treat,” said Dr. Reese. “We see amateurs as well as professionals, young artists as well as veteran performers. We treat acute focal pain episodes as well as large-scale, complex issues. We care for dancers, musicians, vocalists, actors, crew and production members—treating nearly the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, from jaw to toe!” RAVINIAMAGAZINE • AUG. 18 – AUG. 31, 2025 20 PATRICKGIPSON/RAVINIA