Founder: Alice Hudnall Cash, Ph.D., LCSW

Dr. Alice Cash is one of the world’s few clinical musicologists. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, she brings to her work over 40 years of professional experience as a college professor, clinical therapist, solo and chamber music performer and composer.

Since 1990, Dr. Cash has been in the field of Music Medicine and conducted clinical research at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, under the guidance of Dr. Joel Elkes, Dr. Leah Dickstein, and Dr. Rif El-Mallakh.  Her clinical work at the University of Louisville lead to her career in music medicine.

In addition to her work with the University of Louisville, Dr. Cash lead the development of using music a hospital setting at Baptist East Hospital, Louisville, KY. She has founded 3 companies: Healing Music Enterprises, Surgical Serenity Solutions and Crescent Hill Counseling.

In 2008, Dr. Cash received a United States patent on her unique process for using music in the perioperative process. Today her pre-programmed headphones are being used in leading hospitals in the U.S. and other countries.

Download Dr. Cash’s Full CV

“Dr. Alice H. has as many facets as a well cut diamond. She is an educated and experienced professional musician; as well as a well respected professional counselor and business women. I had the privilege to know Dr Alice when she first conceived of the idea to use the healing powers of music for surgery patients. My wife experienced the positive benefits of music to aid her through two complicated surgeries successfully. I recommend the power of Dr Alice’s headphones and music.”
Jack Allen SPHR, Senior Consultant and owner, JCA CONSULTING LLC

Lisa M. Gallagher, PhD, MT-BC

Lisa Gallagher received her Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy from Ohio University, her Masters of the Arts in Counseling and Human Development from Walsh University, and her PhD in Health Psychology from Northcentral University. She is the founder of the Music Therapy Program at Cleveland Clinic, she is the Research Program Manager there for the Arts & Medicine Department, and she has a secondary appointment with the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation program. She is a clinical music therapist, researcher, and author; and she is a frequent presenter at the local, national, and international level. She also is Adjunct Faculty at the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium (Baldwin Wallace University & College of Wooster), Ohio University, and Alverno College. Lisa has written several book chapters; has been a Guest Editor for Progress in Palliative Care; and has published her research in Supportive Care in Cancer, Journal of Palliative Medicine, American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, US Neurology, Orthopaedic Nursing, Music Therapy Perspectives, Health Environments Research & Design Journal, and Music & Medicine. Her topics of research have included the use of music therapy in palliative care and hospice, substance abuse treatment, post orthopedic surgery, and with patients with multiple sclerosis. Other aspects of her research have included a focus on pain management, as well as the management of other symptoms; the use of the arts during hospitalizations; and the use of arts-based programming to improve health, resilience, well-being, and mood in individuals with chronic health conditions. Lisa is the current treasurer and the former Chair of the Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio Board of Directors, a former Chair of the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Board of Directors, and a Past President of the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapist Association (GLR of AMTA). She is the recipient of the Ohio University Achievement in Music Award, the Association of Ohio Music Therapists Past President’s Club Award, the GLR of AMTA Scholarly Activity Award, and the Blair L. Sadler International Healing Arts Award.

Chief Operations Officer: Aaron Drake

Highly collaborative technology leader leveraging 18 years of diverse IT experiences to identify and design solutions. Engaging and personable team leader known for aligning individual talents to organizational goals resulting in successful project completion. Recognized for inspiring team members at all levels to evaluate each project to find unique solutions.

International Sales: Dr. Yasser Nawara

Dr. Yasser Nawara graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University in December 1993. He has completed his internship program on December 1994, and joined the Internal Medicine residency program (with a cardiology subspecialty) in Cairo University / MOH hospitals till the end of 1996. He has more than twenty years of cumulative experiences in Clinical Medicine, Clinical Governance/Leadership, Clinical Risk Management, Hospital Management, Performance Improvement, Healthcare Research, Health Systems Statistics, Accreditation Preparation, Information Management, in addition to ongoing Education and Training of Clinical Staff.

As of 2016 Dr. Nawara is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) with more than 30 CME completed online courses from Harvard Medical School. In September 2016 he has joined the MEJA Group-US as Independent Contractor Associate & VP of International Operations. In August 2018, he joined the team at Surgical Serenity Solutions, he has joined Surgical Serenity as an International Sales Agent with a focus on the Middle East and African markets.

Advisor: Dr. Candice Williams, MD, DBA

Dr. Candice Williams, MD, DBA is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician who overcame burnout and career transition to musician and producer, pursuing her true passion of spreading joy and healing through music. She is the founder of Prelude, PC, helping individuals improve pain, mental and sleep health with music as a healing modality, providing inspiration to live more enriched lives. Her music influences are informed by her elders who played Hammond Organ and piano on Sundays, cultivating a love for Gospel, Jazz, and popular music forms. She has studied piano since the age of 7 and pursued further private piano instruction after her medical training. Her singles Tranquility and Serenity are infused with healing prayers and intentions. They are featured on her YouTube Channel with nature visuals to help with relaxation, sleep and pain relief. The channel informs on harnessing the healing power of music. Dr. Williams’ is completing a catalog of relaxation music for placement in hospitals and clinical settings. As an anesthesiologist and music producer, she is keenly aware that the addition of calming music before and after surgery could be a huge benefit to patients in terms of favorable physiological responses as well as superior pain relief in the peri-operative period.

Advisor: Dr. Michael Peck

Dr. Peck has over thirty years experience as a practicing anesthesiologist. He is an accomplished academician having been co-director of the division of neuroanesthesia, an invited guest lecturer and author. He has lent his expertise to multiple companies over the years in technology – in topics as diverse as medical equipment to electronic medical records to pharmacology to critical care. He served on many committees during his tenure at the George Washington University. He then took his experiences and entered private practice. As a thought leader and innovator he was a founding member and partner of one of the largest anesthesia providers in the United States. He served on its board of managers and continues to drive his vision forward. Dr. Peck is also the owner of one US Patent and has filed his second. He also has been recently appointed as the Chief Medical Officer of a second well established start up after his retirement from the daily practice of Anesthesiology. He has written letters and editorials published on the subject of todays healthcare changes as well as a recent blog and podcast contribution. He continues to have a love for his work and the ability to be innovative and creative. He envisions being part of a think tank or a medical facility that embraces change and positive disruption.

Medical Device Advisor: Todd Staples

TAS HeadshotTodd Staples is a medical device sales and marketing consultant, strategic marketing team leader, and has held various titles throughout his career in sales all contributing greatly to the breadth and depth of his experience. A former US Marine serving during the Desert Shield/Storm conflict, Todd returned home after two tours overseas and left military service. Within a few short years he earned his B.S. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of California at San Diego, and began working as a researcher first at the Salk Institute and then at Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. Research in a lab wasn’t a very good match for Todd and the clinical applications for new technology in the medical field was a very attractive field because it gave him an opportunity to serve once again, but more so this time because he really could make a difference and see the results every day. Since then Todd has spent 16 years in this industry many of the giants including Pfizer, Stryker, Covidien, Hill Rom, Moog Medical, and Teleflex Medical. In 2012 TASSMA was formed as a private venture to focus entirely on small startups and their strategic sales channel objectives. Todd began working with Dr. Cash as an advisor in late 2012 and was has enjoyed guiding the journey as business goals and objectives have come into focus and new markets have been developed around the Cloud Kit concept. Todd is a big proponent of the Surgical Serenity Solution and believes that every hospital will be using musical “entrainment” in the near future.

Advisor: Dr. Crystal Sahner: Health Psychology and Music Therapy

CrystalDr Crystal Sahner holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois School of Psychology and an undergraduate degree in music therapy from DePaul University in Chicago. She has been an advisor to Surgical Serenity Solutions since 2005. Dr. Sahner has a clinical private practice in Louisville, KY.

Who is Surgical Serenity Solutions?

Surgical Serenity Solutions was founded by Dr. Alice Cash, clinical musicologist, therapist, and concert pianist.  A clinical researcher at the University of Louisville School of Medicine during the ‘90’s, her clinical work at the University of Louisville led to her career in Music Medicine. 

In 2008, she received a US patent on her unique process for using music in the perioperative period. Today, her solutions are used by leading hospitals, plastic surgery practices and patients in the US and around the world.