Local Music Therapist Honored

Local music therapist Barbara Reuer has been honored twice by fellow health care professionals. The American Music Therapy Association gave her its Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative gave her an Excellence in Pain Management Award.

Dr. Reuer owns and operates MusicWorx of California in Carmel Valley and directs an international internship program whose participants have worked with thousands of patients in hospices, medical facilities, long-term care facilities, wellness programs and special-education settings.

She also founded and directs Resounding Joy Inc., a nonprofit group that uses music to promote the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being of people throughout San Diego County, from nursing home residents, older-adult day-care clients and infants of teen parents to homeless people and AIDS and HIV patients.

In honoring the Carmel Valley woman in St. Louis on November 20 for lifetime achievement, the music therapy group applauded her “more than 30 years of clinical experience in schools, convalescent facilities, retirement homes, hospices, medical and psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, substance abuse and eating disorder programs, health spas, as well as teaching at community colleges and universities.”

The Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative, a national nonprofit organization of health care professionals dedicated to relieving cancer pain, honored Reuer on Nov. 8 in Long Beach along with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, chaplains, administrators, advocates, other health care professionals and volunteers.

“Her qualities of persistence, a mid-Western pioneering spirit and professionalism have integrated music therapy into the standard of care for cancer patients,” it said in announcing the award.

“Barbara is committed to the relief of total pain and the improvement in quality of life for cancer patients through her work as a board certified music therapist. Her commitment is demonstrated by her dedication and the desire to involve patients in a ‘Sound Connection’ that can improve the quality of life for her patients.

Resounding Joy trains a network of volunteers in the principles of music therapy and they help out at many faith- and community-based organizations, including the Encinitas Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Redwood Elderlink in Escondido, and the Third Avenue Charitable Organization and Mark Twain High School in San Diego.

For information about the organization go to http://www.resoundingjoyinc.org or  phone (866) 800-0197.

By: Ron Ham

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