Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, DA, LCAT, MT-BC

Executive Director/Co-Founder

Institute for Music and Neurologic Function 

A pioneer in the field of music therapy, Dr. Concetta Tomaino is both the Executive Director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF) and formerly Senior Vice President for Music Therapy at CenterLight Health System, (formerly Beth Abraham Family of Health Services) Internationally known for her research in the clinical applications of music and neurologic rehabilitation, Dr. Tomaino has lectured on music therapy throughout the United States and in Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Italy, England, and Canada. A past president of the American Association for Music Therapy, Dr. Tomaino was honored at the United Nations with the Music Therapists for Peace Award of Accomplishment. Committed to fostering the broadest access to music therapies for people in need the world over, Dr. Tomaino’s work with the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function has advanced the state of the art and science of music therapy for individuals suffering the effects of brain trauma including stroke, or who are afflicted with such degenerative neurological diseases as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. 

Dr. Tomaino’s work has been featured on national programs including 48 Hours and 60 Minutes; on international programs including the BBC; and in books on health and healing, including A Matter of Dignity, by Andrew Potok; The Mozart Effect, by Don Campbell; Age Protectors (Rodale Press); Sounds of Healing, by Mitchell Gaynor, M.D; and An Anthropologist on Mars, by Oliver Sacks, M.D. Dr. Sacks' book Musicophilia is dedicated to her. 

Prior to earning a Masters and Doctor of Arts in Music Therapy from New York University, Dr. Tomaino was graduated with a BA in Music Performance (with a minor in psychology and sciences) from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She joined the Bronx, NY-based CenterLight Health System in 1980 and soon became one of the foremost proponents of the emerging field of Music Therapy. Fifteen years later, Dr. Tomaino helped found the IMNF. Today, in addition to her work the IMNF, Dr. Tomaino is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Lehman College-CUNY, and the ATTP II team of the National Parkinson’s Foundation. A founding board member and Vice-President of the International Association for Music and Medicine; Dr. Tomaino was a Super Panelist for the GRAMMY in the Schools program and has served on the Certification Board of Music Therapists, the Journal of Music Therapy, and on the advisory boards for the Center for Alternative Research at the Kessler Institute, and the International Journal of Arts Medicine. 

Dr. Tomaino is the recipient of numerous honors and accolades, including a Touchstone Award from “Women in Music” for her visionary spirit, the 2004 Music has Power Award from the IMNF and the Zella Bronfman Butler Award from the UJA-Federation of New York in partnership with the J.E. and Z.B. Butler for outstanding work on behalf of individuals with physical, developmental or learning disabilities. Most recently, Dr. Concetta Tomaino was honored as one of “Three Wise Women” by the National Organization of Italian American Women and Life Time achievement award from the American Association for Music Therapy.

Justin Russo

Product Manager

Institute for Music and Neurologic Function 

Justin Russo is the Product Manager for the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (IMNF). He is responsible for supporting the launch of the book, Music Has Power® in Senior Wellness and Healthcare, by IMNF Executive Director, Dr. Concetta Tomaino, and for producing the Music Has Power ® Training program, based on the book. Additionally, Justin serves as the Director of Programming at Music & Memory, a partner organization of the IMNF. In this role he oversees the MUSIC & MEMORY® certification program, which teaches the practical use of favorite music to support quality of life for older adults with dementia. Since June 2019, he has played a crucial role in expanding support to the 5,800 certified organizations in the US, while also driving marketing and communication strategies for the organization.

Justin's academic background includes a Master of Business Administration from Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business, and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies from Purchase College. He has also served as Chair of the Communications Committee on the Constitution Island Association Board of Directors from 2014 to 2016. Justin is a lifelong musician with experience in songwriting and music production; and he has enjoyed touringwith many accredited artists.

Rose Cappa Rotunno

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Wartburg/IMNF

Rose Cappa Rotunno is the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Wartburg, a Senior Living and Healthcare organization. She is responsible for planning, managing, and implementing activities and campaigns that increase, diversify, and sustain philanthropic support for Wartburg and its affiliates from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Rose also manages marketing and oversees community relations and volunteer efforts. Before coming to Wartburg, Rose was the President and Founder of The Event Department, a boutique event planning and resource development company that worked mostly with non-profits. Over the course of twenty plus years, she worked with over 175 organizations and helped raise more than $30 million. Together with several local leaders, she created the Westchester Women’s Summit, a conference now in its third year, with a focus on empowering and inspiring women. She also held positions at United Way of Westchester and Putnam, The American Red Cross, Pace University, and the United Negro College Fund. Rose is a graduate of Pace University and lives in northern Westchester with her husband, two children and a cat.