Full Breakdown
Hospital Turns Board Room into a Metal Stage for a Patient’s Dream
8/1/2026, 10:56:48 AM
How the Event Came Together
Bruyère Health in Ottawa arranged a private performance by Canadian power-metal band The Scepter for 27-year-old patient Tim Berry, whose medical condition kept him from leaving the hospital. After Berry expressed his wish to see a heavy-metal show, clinical chaplain Roshene Lawson contacted venue owner Scott McClinton of the Dominion Tavern, which then recruited The Scepter. The band accepted quickly, and within a week the hospital board room was equipped with donated sound, lighting and equipment for a free concert on July 21.
People Behind the Show
- Tim Berry – 27-year-old patient with significant health challenges, the concert’s primary beneficiary.
- Roshene Lawson – Clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health, who coordinated the event and emphasized patient-centered care.
- Scott McClinton – Owner of the Dominion Tavern, who facilitated the band’s involvement.
- Josh Collins – Guitarist for The Scepter, who described the set as an emotional experience.
Official Reflections
Bruyère Health staff noted that the concert provided more than entertainment; it was framed as part of holistic patient care that includes spiritual wellness. The clinical team reported that nurses and other patients were moved, with several staff members hugging Lawson and expressing relief that Berry’s wish was fulfilled.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I said, 'Well, we can talk about all the stuff you've lost, or we can talk about how you want to live for however much longer you're around,” — Roshene Lawson, a clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health
- “It was a quick yes, and then he reached out to The Scepter, and they gave a quick yes,” — Roshene Lawson, a clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health
- “He had tears and I joked with him, I said, 'Are the tears because it's so bloody loud?'” — Roshene Lawson, a clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health
- “And he laughed and he said, ‘No, I'm happy'” — Roshene Lawson, a clinical chaplain at Bruyère Health
The event illustrates how a hospital can “Sometimes we've got to think outside the box, and in this case I went to a heavy metal concert.” to enhance quality of life for patients facing serious illness, turning a routine board room into a rock-filled space that brought tears, laughter, and a shared moment of joy for Berry, his fellow patients, and the staff who supported him.
