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Nick Yeutter, MD is a modern-day renaissance man, having navigated the complexities of how to integrate music with his burgeoning medical practice. An internal medicine specialist in residency at UNMC, Yuetter is articulate and imaginative, combining his eclectic musical interests with his medical career. 

Although he received extensive training in music growing up, Yeutter didn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket when it came to his career—medicine was always the end game. 

A self-professed medical history geek, Yeutter describes music as his first love, but practicing medicine has been a lifelong pursuit. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Yeutter received his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond, and his master’s at NYU, double majoring in music and pre-med. 

A residency at UNMC led him to practice and study internal medicine; consisting of diagnosis, treatment and prevention, he describes internal medicine as a bit of evidence-based detective work.

An avid composer, Yeutter’s compositions have made waves, his work having been featured in short films, a TV pilot, and the 2019 Amazon Prime film, Greta, shot in New York and revealed at that year’s Sundance Film Festival. 

A verified artists on Spotify under the pseudonym Yites—Yeutter’s musical training has been robust—enjoying the tutelage of a voice coach who sang backup for Prince. 

An array of eclectic influences have led him to where he is today. EDM has proved foundational to his compositions, though classical music is in his roots—counting Lizt, DeBussy, Beethoven, and Gershwin among his greatest influences. 

“I think outside the box while respecting tradition,” Yeutter said. “Everyone has their niche, and everyone should be given the space to make mistakes and learn from them.” 

Yeutter recognizes that his musical talents often align with his medical practice, firmly believing in the healing power of music. According to the American Psychological Association, studies have shown that music improves quality of life for individuals suffering from neurological diseases such as Parkinson, or those who have suffered a stroke. Music also has an impact on one’s psychological wellbeing; from Alzheimer’s, to depression, stress and pain, exposure to music has been proven to be therapy for the body as well as the soul, even speeding up recovery. Additionally, music improves the body’s immune system functions, which ultimately reduces factors that lead to stress, such as the hormone cortisol. Music also increases the body’s production of immunoglobulin. 

As part of the ensemble Nebraska Medical Orchestra, comprised entirely of medical professionals, Yuetter has discovered a creative outlet that balances his identity as both a physician and a composer. Yeutter was able to showcase his original composition, “Distant Reality,” at a semester concert held at the Strauss Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 

Matthew Brooks, the Director of Orchestral Activities in Music and Medicine, as well as founding music director and conductor of the ensemble, waxes lyrical, seeing Nick as a standout professional on and off the stage. 

“Speaking as an orchestral conductor, it is always so exciting to work with a living composer when the majority of our standard repertoire is from hundreds of years ago. Nick is a valued part of the Nebraska Medical Orchestra, and I’m always excited to highlight the talents of our members,” Brooks said. “Our talented musicians are also talented health professionals or pre-professionals in health sciences. Nick is no different. His composition is of a professional level, his rehearsal input was thoughtful, and he’s just a warm, approachable person.” 

Yeutter strives to be a well-rounded individual, full of optimism and positive to a fault, albeit spread “a little thin” at times. 

“The positive benefits far outweigh the negatives,” Yeutter affirmed. “Sometimes you get the chance to unplug and just be that artist. There are certainly rewarding aspects of practicing medicine, but I will always have music.” 

As he merges his passions with his training, a promising career path stretches out before him—composed of music, medicine, and desire to heal, wherever it may lead. 

Visit soundcloud.com/yites/distant-reality for more information.

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2023 issue of Omaha Magazine. To subscribe, click here.