Emma O’Brien

Dr Emma O’Brien OAM is an internationally renowned innovator in the role of music in wellbeing; specialising in facilitating the creation of original songs with individuals and communities, and now also specialising in healthcare staff wellbeing with the evolution of The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) Scrub Choir. Emma is a singer, performer, music therapist, composer, music video editor, healthcare leader, and researcher. Emma is the founder and ongoing lead of the music therapy service at RMH She was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2017 Australia Day Honours for her service to community health through music therapy programs, and in 2018 her music therapy program won both Victorian Public Healthcare Awards and a Melbourne Award (City of Melbourne). Emma is also the founder of the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse Music Therapy program (2016) NSW and is their ongoing Music Therapy Fellow. Since 2020 the RMH Scrub Choir has featured across all media and Emma is regular speaker on radio, TV and at national and international conferences. She hosts a podcast called 'Scrub Sessions' and continues to lead the RMH Scrub Choir. and music therapy team at RMH.