American Music Therapy Association

Music Therapy Community Mourns the Passing of Dr. Oliver Sacks

We are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Oliver Sacks, noted neurologist and acclaimed author.

The American Music Therapy Association and the entire music therapy community is deeply indebted to Dr. Sacks for his research, books, and numerous appearances around the world.  His body of work helped to highlight the science behind music therapy and to shine a light on the important work of board certified music therapists.

In honor of the many contributions of Dr. Sacks, AMTA members and friends made a tribute CD of well wishes, songs, and music earlier this year which was presented to him in May.  We are so grateful to Dr. Sacks for his ardent support of music therapy over many, many years and add our condolences to the thousands of others in the world whom his work and writings have touched.  We offer our sympathies to his friends, colleagues, clients, family, and loved ones. 

Tributes to Dr. Sacks:

• "Remembering the Brilliance of Oliver Sacks"
  The Takeaway with John Hockenberry
  http://www.thetakeaway.org/story/remembering-brilliance-oliver-sacks/
   
• "Oliver Sacks, Neurologist Who Wrote About the Brain's Quirks, Dies at 82"
  New York Times
  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/science/oliver-sacks-dies-at-82-neurologist-and-author-explored-the-brains-quirks.html?smid=fb-nytimes&​smtyp=cur&_r=0
   
• "Remembering Oliver Sacks, a Man of Incredible Empathy, Dignity and Depth"
  Washington Post
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/08/31/remembering-oliver-sacks-a-man-of-incredible-empathy-dignity-and-depth/
   

• "Oliver Sacks: A Neurologist At The 'Intersection Of Fact And Fable'"
  NPR's Fresh Air with Terri Gross
  http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/08/31/436289763/oliver-sacks-a-neurologist-at-the-intersection-of-fact-and-fable

• "Dr. Sacks Looks Back"
  WNYC's Radiolab
  http://www.radiolab.org/story/dr-sacks-looks-back/

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