Claudia J. Stephens, Director of Admissions and Resident Services in Elizabethtown, received the Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) Music Therapy Advocacy Award during the MAR American Music Therapy Association's conference at the Harrisburg Hilton on March 25.

The award is given to a non-music therapist who supports the music therapy field.

An accomplished pianist and violinist who studied at the Peabody Conservatory in high school, Mrs. Stephens encouraged Masonic Village to hire a part-time music therapist in January 1998. Realizing the successful results of this program, Mrs. Stephens advocated for the position to become full-time. In February 1999, a full-time music therapist was hired, and a music therapy department was created. Today, the music therapy program provides services to 300 clients each week in the nursing, assisted living and adult day care areas of the campus, as well as at the Elizabethtown Senior Center.

Mrs. Stephens said the benefits of music therapy are endless. "Although I have been deeply involved with music my entire life," Stephens said, "I have never experienced music like I have since my involvement with music therapy over the last few years."