Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the UC College of Medicine has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients. The Department of Family & Community Medicine has played a leading role in fellow, resident, and medical student education since 1974 and continues to focus on improving the health of members of our Cincinnati community and beyond, with a special focus on medically underserved patients. With faculty expertise in areas such as primary care research, palliative care, geriatrics, global health and integrative medicine, the department is advancing the college's commitment to cultivating learning environments, fostering research and scholarship, and providing innovative patient care.

The Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati is recruiting a full-time Music Therapist to serve as a Faculty Director for its emerging Music and Community Health Program. This individual will lead the development of music therapy-informed education, research and clinical initiatives, while overseeing operational, administrative, and strategic activities that integrate music into whole-person and community-centered care. Working in close partnership with Osher Center leadership, UC Health providers, and community stakeholders, the Director will design and implement evidence-based curricula and innovative programs rooted in music therapy and integrative health principles. All efforts will support the vision, mission, and values of the Osher Center and UC Health Integrative Medicine, advancing music as a vehicle for healing, connection, and health equity.

The Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati seeks a visionary leader to establish and direct the Music and Community Health Program—an interdisciplinary initiative that blends education, research, clinical insight, and community partnership to advance the role of music in health and healing. The Director will lead the design and implementation of innovative educational, research, and clinical initiatives grounded in the principles of music therapy, community-engaged practice, and integrative health.

The program will initially focus on specialized populations, including adults with developmental disabilities at the Timothy Freeman Center and individuals in cancer treatment and navigating cancer survivorship at the Cancer Center and the Blood Cancer Healing Center. With a strong emphasis on translational research and participatory approaches, the program will engage patients, caregivers, students, faculty, and community stakeholders to explore how music can support coping, connection, and well-being. These efforts aim to improve health outcomes in these initial groups and additional populations as the program expands.

Music and community health programming will contribute to the Osher Center’s mission of advancing integrative care through interdisciplinary education, evidence-based research, and access to music therapy and other arts in health. The program will cultivate the next generation of practitioners and scholars working at the intersection of music, medicine, and community health.

Essential Functions

• Lead the visioning, strategic planning, and oversight of the Music and Community Health Program within the Osher Center for Integrative Health at the University of Cincinnati, including development and implementation of educational programming, research initiatives, and clinical services.
• Develop and teach interdisciplinary curricula and educational modules that integrate music, community health, and the principles of integrative care, in partnership with academic programs at UC and community organizations.
• Foster collaborative relationships across departments (e.g., developmental disabilities, oncology, neurology), health system partners, and community organizations to advance the mission of the Osher Center and support sustainability and equity in programming.
• Lead and support research efforts by designing protocols, writing grants, securing funding, conducting program evaluation, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Lead participatory research and co-design approaches where appropriate, ensuring that programs reflect the voices and lived experiences of participants and communities served.
• Design and deliver evidence-based, music therapy-informed programming for a range of populations, including but not limited to patients, caregivers, healthcare staff, students, faculty, and community stakeholders, using both individual and group modalities in a variety of settings.
• Provide direct and/or indirect supervision of music therapy staff, trainees, and volunteers, ensuring adherence to best practices, institutional policies, and ethical standards in clinical, academic and community-based services.
• Contribute to the marketing, promotion, and dissemination of program initiatives through events, digital platforms, community outreach, and public speaking engagements, representing the Osher Center’s mission and values.
• Monitor emerging trends and innovations in music therapy, arts in health, and integrative medicine to inform program development and scholarly contributions.
• Support Osher Center leaders in strategic initiatives, grant writing, donor relations, and other special projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) with a Master's Degree in Music Therapy, public health, integrative health, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in music therapy, including supervisory, academic, and/or program leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating music therapy-informed programs across clinical and/or community health settings.
• Experience developing and teaching curricula at the undergraduate or graduate level. Proven ability to work collaboratively across disciplines, with healthcare providers, academic faculty, students, and community organizations.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Doctoral Degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, or equivalent) in Music Therapy, Public Health, expressive arts therapies, health and wellness design, or a closely related field is ideal.
• Experience with grant writing, program evaluation, and scholarly dissemination (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations) ideal.
• Familiarity with community-based participatory research, co-design methods, clinical trials, and/or arts-in-health program evaluation.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor students and/or supervise music therapy interns or staff.