One of the most gratifying elements of media is the ability to share inspiration through people and their stories, and Ryan Seacrest has made quite a name for himself in broadcast doing just that.
In 2009, while broadcasting his KIIS-FM radio show at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, inspiration struck him in a new way when he saw firsthand how much patients and their families loved the energy and excitement the radio show brought to the hospital. The celebrity guests who visited to join on-air motivated children to get out of bed, despite fighting their toughest battles, to check out the action happening in the lobby. When Seacrest came to his parents and sister with an idea to create something that could live in hospitals as a fun, positive escape for patients, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) was born, along with a commitment to inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives.
The non-profit’s first initiative was to build broadcast media centers, called Seacrest Studios, within pediatric hospitals nationwide where patients could explore the creative realms of radio, television, and new media. At Seacrest Studios, patients are the stars, and through state-of-the-art multimedia experiences they can enjoy stimulating adventures that uplift the hospital community while encouraging optimism during treatment. RSF also works with local colleges to provide internship opportunities for students to gain firsthand experience in broadcasting and programming.
“Our Seacrest Studios have turned into a therapeutic outlet for many patients and become a safe space where they can have some fun and forget, even if for a little while, that they are in the hospital,” says Meredith Seacrest Leach, RSF Executive Director and COO.
Through in-studio programming, patients have full access to Seacrest Studios to create and participate in programming that excites them, including conducting interviews with celebrities, artists, and athletes; DJ’ing and hosting live radio and TV shows; educational segments; music videos; games; art therapy; music therapy; pet therapy; and more. All Seacrest Studio programming feeds via a closed-circuit network to all of the patients’ in-room TVs, enabling everyone to engage with shows and games from their beds.
“We strive to focus on each patient and help provide a creative activity that is going to best serve their needs. Whether it’s playing a game and helping a kid who didn’t want to do physical therapy suddenly start moving their arms and legs or helping a child with behavioral struggles get on-air and showcase a sense of confidence through an unexpected outlet,” Leach says. “There are so many touching stories, but one moment stands out when a patient called in to the Nashville studio from his room to speak with Dierks Bentley and shared with excitement how he just got a new heart. We all cheered for him and it just puts things into perspective when you think that this child was in high spirits and just underwent open heart surgery.”
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With eleven Seacrest Studios across the country and a 12th location set to open this year, RSF has touched the lives of countless children and their families, including many here in Nashville, through the Seacrest Studio located in the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
“The Nashville studio team does a phenomenal job at producing high quality programming and has a full setup for hosting live musicians. Music is such a big part of Seacrest Studios programming and we felt it only made sense to have one here in Music City. The Nashville studio benefits from all the local talent living nearby and their willingness to stop by to perform for patients,” says Leach.
Having plenty of famous Nashville friends, RSF hosted its first in-person fundraiser on Feb. 15 at The Listening Room Cafe, headlined by one of RSF’s celebrity ambassadors, country star Jordan Davis. Along with plenty of incredible music, this energetic evening included a silent auction and a chance to share more details about the work of RSF with the community. Funds raised help to expand the footprint of Seacrest Studios in children’s hospitals across the country, and to maintain and upgrade all the technology required for each studio to function at the level of a professional working studio. As inspiring as big-name celebrity interviews and riveting content are, it’s the children bringing these programs to life who remain the real inspiration. And RSF strives to continue providing creative outlets, an uplifting environment, and a whole lot of fun through the magic created in Seacrest Studios.
“Patients love being able to get on-air to host their own radio and TV shows, learn how to use all the broadcast equipment, and interview celebrity guests we bring by in-person or connect with virtually. We see so many parents tear up when they finally see their child smile or look like they are having fun again while in the hospital. The studio really becomes a place of relief for the whole family,” says Leach. “If we can make a child smile or help them escape and have some fun, that is what it is all about.”