Sonny Burgess, Director of Clinical Performing Arts

Sonny Burgess, Director of Clinical Performing Arts

Author: Cook Children's March 11, 2026 Duration: 28:51

Music has the power to heal, connect and inspire - and few people understand that better than Sonny Burgess, Director of Clinical Performing Arts.  In this episode of Untold: The Stories of Cook Children’s, Sonny shares the remarkable journey that took him from playing music in small-town Texas to Nashville stages - and ultimately to the halls of Cook Children’s.

Today, as Director of Clinical Performing Arts, Sonny brings music directly to patients and families through performances, songwriting, and a one-of-a-kind recording studio inside the hospital. What started as a passion for music has grown into a mission: helping children find joy, confidence and healing through sound. Sonny reflects on the unexpected path that led him here, the moments that showed him music could truly change lives, and the powerful connections formed when patients pick up an instrument or share their voice.

Because sometimes, healing starts with a song.


Behind the doors of a major pediatric hospital, countless narratives unfold every day, each one a unique thread in the vast tapestry of human experience. Untold: The Stories of Cook Children's brings those threads into the light, sharing intimate audio portraits from the heart of the medical center. This podcast moves beyond clinical summaries to capture the raw, emotional soundscape of pediatric care-the quiet courage in a parent's voice, the determined humor of a child facing treatment, the reflective pause of a surgeon after a long shift. You'll hear directly from the people who live these realities, from families navigating unexpected diagnoses to the staff whose dedication forms the backbone of the institution. These conversations naturally explore the full spectrum of pediatric health, touching on physical recovery, mental fortitude, and the complex journey toward wellness. The result is a profoundly human collection of episodes that reveals the resilience, hope, and occasional heartbreak that define this community. Tuning into this podcast offers a rare, unfiltered connection to the moments that truly matter, reminding us of the profound impact one community of care can have on countless young lives. Each story, previously known only to those within those walls, is shared here with honesty and depth, providing listeners with a genuine understanding of the extraordinary world inside Cook Children's.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 14

Untold: The Stories of Cook Children's
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