Nazareth College’s Bryan Hunter, Ph.D., LCAT, MT-BC, professor and chair of the creative arts therapy department where he directs the graduate music therapy program, is the recipient of the American Music Therapy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. It is the most prestigious honor given out by the association and defines individuals who provide distinguished service to the music therapy profession.
Hunter is currently implementing a national research award from the American Music Therapy Association to study the effects of music therapy on weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. His research and consultations with Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester General Hospital, and Lifetime Care have resulted in the establishment of full-time music therapy positions held currently by Nazareth graduates.
A past president of the National Association for Music Therapy, Hunter helped lead the organization in a successful effort to unify with the American Association for Music Therapy, forming the American Music Therapy Association in 1998. He is also the current chair of the New York state Board for Mental Health Practitioners. In 2005, Hunter was awarded the very first license as a creative arts therapist by the State of New York.