The UNT pilot program offers free healthcare to performing artists until March 2023.

Fort Worth, Texas. When it comes to the sound of music, every note has to be perfect for bass player José Saavedra. He hopes that one day he will be recognized as one of the best musicians in the world.

And thanks to his doctors, Saavedra is making great music again.

Saavedra received his PhD in musical performance while a student at the University of North Texas. He is also Associate Professor of Double Bass at Midwestern State University and plays bass with the Amarillo Symphony.

A recent opera performance went well, but Saavedra’s bike ride home came to an abrupt end.

“Opera performances are very long,” Saavedra said. “So, it was past midnight. I needed to get back home. It was raining. I fell on my bike and sprained those bones in my hand.”

During a follow-up visit after treatment, Saavedra showed Dr. Iain Lee more of his progress. His visit to the Clinic for Performing Arts Medicine, which specializes in the prevention and treatment of unique injuries commonly seen in artists, is part of a UNT pilot program.

The purpose of this specialty clinic is to take care of the idea of ​​”total health” emphasized by the UNT Health Sciences Center in Fort Worth, where doctors can treat any performing artist.

What’s even more impressive?

“This is a free clinic for any performing artist. So, if you are a performer of any kind, any age, you can come to us and our doctors at this clinic for free,” Li said.

The first free clinic of its kind is open throughout March. This means that any artist can make an appointment for free treatment for any disease.

“Well, performing artists, most performing artists, struggle with access to health care in the first place,” Lee said. “And they are also fighting the cost of medical care. Artists don’t make a lot of money. When they are injured, they can come to our doctors.”

Program co-founder Dr. Sajid Surv is ready to take care of any performer in need of medical attention.

Surve is an artist himself and is aware of the challenges they face when it comes to healthcare.

“We took care of just about every performer, dancer, musician, singer, you name it, we made it happen,” Surv said.

Doctors treat not only trauma, but all aspects of the patient’s life, paying attention to external stressors and other factors that increase the risk of injury in their work.

The performing arts medicine clinic is the largest of its kind in DFW. The clinic provides contract services to the Texas Ballet Theater and the UNT College of Music, and collaborates with numerous performing arts groups, including the TCU Dance Department, the Mimir International Festival, the Fort Worth Opera and the Van Cliburn Competition.

The free clinic was made possible by a private sponsor and supporter of the arts. Surve hopes word that the clinic is open to all artists will spread throughout DFW. One of the goals is to expand the pilot program as much as possible after the March deadline.

Saavedra is convinced that without the doctors at the Performing Arts Medical Clinic, he would not have been able to return to normal double bass playing so quickly. Now they even teach him the best tricks so he doesn’t hurt himself.

The clinic is located at HSC in Fort Worth. Performers interested in making an appointment can call 817-735-2455.