Summary: My guest this week is Connie Tomaino. Dr. Concetta Tomaino is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function and Senior Vice President for Music Therapy at CenterLight Health System ( formerly Beth Abraham Family of Health Services), where she has worked since 1980. She graduated from SUNY at Stony Brook with a BA in Music Performance in 1976 (her instrument is the trumpet), a minor in psychology and sciences, and a commitment to the emerging field of music therapy. She received the Masters and Doctor of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University Dr. Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of music and neurologic rehabilitation. She has lectured on music therapy throughout the United States and in, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Italy, England, and Canada. She is past president of the American Association for Music Therapy and received the Award of Accomplishment from Music Therapists for Peace at the United Nations. In 1999 she received a Touchstone Award from “Women in Music” for her visionary spirit. In 2004 she received the Music has Power Award from the IMNF and the Zella Bronfman Butler Award which is given by the UJA-Federation of New York in partnership with the J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation to professionals in the UJA-Federation agency network for their outstanding work on behalf of individuals with physical, developmental, or learning disabilities. She was honored with the 2010 Professional Practice Award from the American Association for Music Therapy and also as one of “Three Wise Women” by the National Organization of Italian American Women. In 2011 she received in inaugural Burton Grebin Innovator of the Year Award from the NY Continuing Care Leadership Coalition (CCLC )
