- PAMA

What we do

We engage our members to work with and for the health of performing artists through education, research, networking, and a commitment to a deep understanding of the special needs associated with the performing arts.

WHO WE ARE

PAMA is an organization comprised of dedicated medical professionals, artists educators, and administrators with the common goal of improving the health care of the performing artist. The Performing Arts Medicine Association was founded in 1989. Members join from around the world.

Members of PAMA are professionals in fields that include research, education, and clinical practice. Many have written books and articles to inform and educate other professionals and performers.

Areas we support

Initially a medical organization limited to physicians, PAMA quickly grew to an international that includes all types of health professionals, as well as performers, educators, and administrators in both music and dance genres.

Physicians/Health Professionals

PAMA members treat all types of performing artists and serve as medical consultants to musical and dance organizations, while others work directly with orchestras, dance companies and theaters around the world.

Educators/Students

PAMA showcases the latest research in the PAM field through the Annual International Symposium and encouraging students to seek publication in various publications and become involved in PAMA Committees.

Performers

PAMA serves as a resource for performers of all kinds needing healthcare and support to pursue their passion.

PAMA Ambassador Program

Are you a performing artist looking to increase awareness of performing arts health to your artistic community? The PAMA Ambassador Program is a group of individuals committed to promoting and distributing PAMA resources to the greater arts and health communities. PAMA Ambassadors receive access to one-on-one mentorship, training and tools about performing arts medicine and health, and support for creating outreach initiatives within their communities.

You will be asked to log in. If you do not already have a log in, you will be able to create one.

CLICK HERE to VISIT the Ambassador Program

HISTORY OF PAMA

The Performing Arts Medicine Association incorporated in 1988 by a group of physicians who had been involved with the medical care of musicians and dancers. The seeds for this organization were sown in 1983 at the first Symposium on the Medical Problems of Musicians in Aspen, Colorado. By formalizing their shared interest in this medical specialty, they founded a scientific journal, Medical Problems of Performing Artists (MPPA), in 1986. Both the Symposium and Journal began under the leadership of, Dr. Alice Brandfonbrener of Chicago, who was the MPPA Journal’s first editor-in-chief and who served as PAMA’s first President.

Board of Directors

Executive Commitee
Jason Hu, MD - President

Physiatrist
NewYork-Presbyterian
Queens/ Weill Cornell
Medicine

Queens, New York
United States

Melody Hrubes, MD - President-Elect

Rothman Orthopaedics New York

New York, New York
United States

J. Matt McCrary, PhD - Secretary

Clinical Research Officer, UNSW Sydney

NSW, Australia

John Chong, MD, FRCPC - Treasurer

Musicians' Clinics of Canada

Hamilton, ON Canada

Lucinda Halstead, MD, Immediate Past President

Professor, Medical University of South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
United States

Directors
Kat Cottrell, MD, CCFP, Mmus, BSc, DipABRSM

Musicians' Clinics of Canada
McMaster University

Hamilton, ON Canada

David Hinkamp, MD

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
United States

Deanna McBroom, MM, BMEd

Medical University of South Carolina
The College of Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
United States

Taylor Mravec, DPT, BFA

The Terpsichore Institute

Stanley, North Dakota
United States

Mark Seton PhD, BA

Sense Connexion

South Penrith, Australia

Chandler Thompson, DMA, MS, CCC-SLP

Sean Parker Institute for the Voice at Weill Cornell Medicine

New York, New York
United States

Hara Trouli, MD

University College London

London, United Kingdom

Julie Massaro PAMA Executive Director

PAMA Committee Chairs

Bylaws: Hara Trouli, MD

Development: Lucinda Halstead, MD

Membership: Chandler Thompson, DMA, MS, CCC-SLP

Professional Standards and Behavior: Deanna McBroom, MM, BMEd

Education: Kat Cottrell, MBBS, BSc, DipABRSM

Research: Matt McCrary, PhD

Young Professionals: Taylor Mravec, DPT, BFA

From our Members

“As a clinical psychologist and researcher working with performing artists for forty years, PAMA has been my treasured home base. Having a community of like-minded and awesome professionals has been invaluable to my work, my personal satisfaction, and to my ongoing learning.”

Susan Raeburn

 

“Attending my first PAMA international symposium in 2012 felt like a homecoming – I finally found “my people”. I’ve attended other national and international conferences and have marveled at all these other people who were passionate about what they were doing, wondering why I didn’t feel the same way. Coming to PAMA that year reignited the burned-out physician in me and I wanted to practice medicine again.

And so I kept coming back yearly, as long as my schedule allowed it. The collective wisdom from healthcare professionals, arts educators and artists (often the attendees wear more than one of these hats: the “participants’ performance” is always a big hit at PAMA) offered many novel perspectives and ideas that would help me understand myself and my patients as artists. Networking with like-minded people fostered a lot of inter-disciplinary collaborations. My presentations over the years have been co-authored not only by fellow physicians, but have included a physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, Pilates instructor, dance educator and a researcher who studies neuroethics and gender issues.

After being based in the USA for most of my clinical career, 2022 has brought me back home to the Philippines where I will be for the foreseeable future due to family reasons. My experience with PAMA and the international connections I have made have greatly helped in building awareness of PAM, mentoring trainees, and slowly starting my own rehabilitation medicine practice focused on PAM practice locally. While the Philippines has most, if not all, of the healthcare professionals and resources to address performing artists’ health, we still do not have a concerted effort that will address their health holistically. In the coming year I hope to be a part of such a growing endeavor not just here in metropolitan Manila but in other parts of the country as well.”

Jennifer Yang

 

“With my donation, I want to support the growth in our international and interdisciplinary membership and the international collaboration that has been supercharged by the PAMATHON. Additionally, I want to support the growth of the YP programs which have afforded me the opportunity to mentor some terrific students and residents and make new friends. PAMA members are great colleagues. Donate and join the fun!”

Lucinda Halstead

 

“I happened upon the PAMA website through a random web search almost a decade ago. At the time I was fresh out of my undergraduate degree and still reeling from a playing-related injury. Feeling depressed and alone, I was searching for support and camaraderie with others who had also experienced playing-related pain and career setbacks due to injury. Finding PAMA was a life-changing moment for me. Here other like-minded individuals were involved in performing arts medicine and could sympathize with my individual experience. After attending my first symposium, I was energized and excited to get involved in performing arts medicine. Since that time my career aspirations have shifted to becoming more involved in performing arts medicine and promoting health and wellness among my fellow artists. Pursuing deeper involvement in PAMA has been one of the greatest gifts in my life over the last several years, and I hope others will also get the chance for a similar experience.”

Julia Clearman