Emma O’Brien receiving her award from Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu.
A Williamstown woman and pioneer of the world-renowned Music Therapy Program at Melbourne Health has been honoured for the use of music and song writing to improve the quality of life for cancer patients.
Premier Ted Baillieu last week presented Emma O’Brien, Melbourne Health’s Senior Music Therapist and Manager, with a Health Leader’s Award for Enabling Person and Family-Centred Care at the 2011 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards in Melbourne. The Premier’s award highlights outstanding health leadership in the delivery of healthcare around the needs and experiences of people with a serious illness.
Minister for Health David Davis said through 14 years of dedication Ms O’Brien had become an internationally-renowned innovator by pioneering Music Therapy in Cancer Care at The Royal Melbourne.
“In 2005, Ms O’Brien’s song writing method, where original songs are written together with cancer patients at the bedside, was featured internationally in a major documentary film, and she has released two major CDs of songs, both of which have featured on radio,” Mr Davis said. The diagnosis of cancer and its treatment is a devastating experience and cancer patients can experience high levels of distress, low mood and feelings of helplessness.
“It is vital that the emotional and psychosocial aspects of a patient’s journey are part of their treatment, and using music therapy Ms O’Brien assists cancer patients to express their feelings,” Mr Davis said.
