The Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) at Houston Methodist stands at the forefront of innovative healthcare integration, merging the realms of performing arts and medicine. Dedicated to optimizing health and wellness for both artists and the general population, CPAM embodies a holistic approach to healthcare. Through specialized education, clinical therapy, research, and community outreach, CPAM addresses the unique needs of performing artists while leveraging the transformative power of the arts to enhance patient care and hospital environments.
With a mission to translate the collaborative potential of arts and medicine into the healthcare landscape, CPAM supports diverse initiatives including wellness education tailored for performing artists, integration of arts into hospital settings, and innovative therapies utilizing the arts to support patient goals. Moreover, CPAM serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering partnerships between healthcare professionals, artists, educators, and researchers to drive innovation and promote holistic well-being.
As a leader in the field, CPAM has garnered recognition for its comprehensive programs, receiving prestigious awards such as the Texas Medal of the Arts and the International Hamilton Award. Through its dedication to advancing the intersection of arts and healthcare, CPAM continues to inspire creative thinking, facilitate healing, and enrich the cultural fabric of the community it serves.
Participants:
Todd Frazier, Director of Center for Performing Arts Medicine
Todd Frazier, the Gerald H. Dubin, M. D. Presidential Distinguished Centennial Director in the Art of Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital’s System Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM), is a visionary composer and advocate. With degrees from Eastman and Juilliard, he champions the fusion of arts and medicine, fostering innovation and humanity. Over 30 years, Frazier established transformative collaborations, creating institutions and employment opportunities. Leading CPAM since 2011, he elevates healthcare through arts integration, earning prestigious awards. As a composer, Frazier’s works, like “Buffalo Altar” and “We Hold These Truths,” illuminate history. He cofounded initiatives like the National Organization for Arts in Health, leaving an indelible mark on the arts landscape.
Shay Kulha MFA, MBA, Operations Manager for CPAM
Shay Thornton Kulha, a dynamic arts administrator, excels in connecting arts, health, and business domains. As Operations Manager at the Center for Performing Arts Medicine, she oversees strategy, implementation, and finances, leading one of the nation’s premier arts in healthcare organizations. Previously, she directed programs at the Arts Council for Long Beach, facilitating grants and fostering community partnerships. A Notre Dame graduate with dual Master’s degrees in Fine Arts and Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach, Kulha blends her expertise in film, theatre, and education with a passion for arts advocacy. A member of the National Organization for Arts in Health, she continues to innovate at the intersection of arts and well-being.
Jennifer Townsend MMT, MT-BC, Manager of Creative Arts Therapies
Jennifer Townsend, Manager of Creative Arts Therapies at the Center for Performing Arts Medicine and Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care at the Academic Institute, holds the esteemed Susie and Tommy Smith Chair in Music and Creative Arts Therapies at Houston Methodist. Fascinated by music’s profound impact on health, she embarked on a journey studying its therapeutic potential from her teenage years. Armed with a Bachelor’s in Music Therapy from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s from Temple University, Jennifer has dedicated over a decade to pediatric care before transitioning to adult medicine. At Houston Methodist, she pioneers creative arts therapy initiatives, conducts groundbreaking research, and advocates tirelessly for arts in healthcare on local and national platforms.
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