Northwest Community patients' singing group makes its debut

A group of Northwest Community Healthcare patients, some aided by oxygen tanks, belted out Christmas tunes Tuesday as they debuted their new singing group.

The Pulmonairs, made up of dozen patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, performed "Jingle Bells," "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and other numbers during a holiday party for some 150 patients and families at The Cotillion banquets in Palatine.

One of their doctors, Dr. Steven Geller, learned of a study from England that lauded the benefits of singing for patients with COPD, a disease that affects the lungs.

Anne Gavic-Ott, the hospital's manager of cardiopulmonary rehab, recruited her friend, Jan Bahr, a retired teacher, vocalist and cantor, to instruct the chorus. Bahr has led them in warm-ups and stretching exercises during rehearsals the past six weeks.