Meet Dr. Dana: The Doctor Using Music to Bridge Medicine and Emotion
Written by Matt Emma
When you meet Dr. Dana—physician, musician, storyteller—you find yourself in a rare space where healing and art don’t just coexist; they amplify each other. Her upcoming EP, “The Space Between” drops this fall, and with it, a deeper conversation.
begins: around emotional healing, connection, and the untold stories of caregivers, patients, and everyday people alike.
The Backstory
Falling into music as a career pursuit wasn’t a straight line—it was a rediscovery. Dana grew up singing, playing the piano and guitar, and songwriting. But during medical training, music took a backseat; the demands of residency left little room for anything else, and Dana faced what she calls a “musical drought.” The turning point came around 2020 when Dana joined The ReMissions, Moffitt Cancer Center’s band. Performing with them at cancer awareness and fundraising events after the pandemic in Tampa and beyond rekindled her passion for music.Why It Matters
Dr. Dana’s current dual roles as a musical artist and physician make her music unique—every lyric carries the weight of real human experiences. She didn’t just stumble into music; she chose it, carving out space for it alongside a demanding career. What you can expect from her is soulful, authentic songs that remind us what it is to be human.What She’s Doing Now
- Releasing her first solo EP, recorded in tight weekend sessions.
- Physician, medical educator, and researcher caring for cancer patients and performing at cancer fundraising and advocacy events
- Planning more live shows in emotional, receptive spaces.
Quick Hits
- Top 3 Musical Influences: Etta James, Stevie Nicks, and Nickelcreek
- Medicine Moment That Became a Song: Dr. Dana wrote "Not Alone" after caring for an incredible single mom with breast cancer, who asked her to “tell it straight and don’t lie.”
- Favorite Live Moment: A clinic staff member came up in tears after a performance, saying, “That was for me, for us.”
