Every Heart Has a Story

Creating music from the heartbeat to leave a legacy.

By Atul Jaiswal, PhD, Research Lead, Centre of Excellence & Research Operations, Perley Health, Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa

Every so often at Perley Health, I witness something that reminds me why this community is unlike any other. This week, it came out strongly in the form of seeing music literally created from the heartbeats of our residents, with help of our wonderful Music Therapists, Timothy Cote and Patricia Deek.

Through our new initiative, Rhythms of Remembrance, we are transforming Veterans' heartbeats into musical legacies. This innovation combines a person's recorded heartbeat with songs, music, or words of our Veteran residents, into a personalized composition that reflects a Veteran's life, service, and journey. Watching someone hear their heartbeat turned into melody for the first time is truly unforgettable. I heard one resident quietly said, “I didn't know my heart could make something so beautiful.”

But the heart of this project goes beyond technology. Rhythms of Remembrance is built on a co‑creation approach where Veterans, families, and care partners come together to shape something deeply meaningful. These compositions become bridges of understanding, sparking conversations, evoking memories, and strengthening bonds.

The initiative also carries a lasting legacy. Because each heartbeat is unique, each music composition becomes an enduring keepsake that families can cherish, and communities can celebrate. Participants can choose to keep the composition personal to them and their family, while others can share it widely. In every case, the stories and spirit of our Veterans are preserved for generations to come. At the same time, Rhythms of Remembrance enhances confidence among participants, using creative technology as a tool for self‑expression and connection.

Our work doesn't stop at Perley's doors. At the Perley Health Centre of Excellence, we're committed to knowledge translation, capturing what we learn and developing a practical toolkit so that other care homes and health settings can bring similar experiences to their communities. In doing so, this project's impact can spread far beyond our walls.

At Perley Health, we lead programs that combine innovation, compassion, and creativity to celebrate individuality and honour those who served.

Funded by the Government of Ontario and supported by the Perley Health Foundation, Rhythms of Remembrance reminds us that every heartbeat tells a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

Special thanks to Gail Fugere, Timothy Cote, and Patricia Deek for their generous participation in sharing this story with the media.

Media Features

Rhythms of Remembrance

• February 12, 2026 - Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal - Rhythms of Remembrance starts at 39:10 (CFRA)
• February 11, 2026 - Music from the heart: Veterans at Perley Health create music from heartbeats (CTV News)