New Orleans, La., May 21, 2022 — Today American Psychiatric Association (APA) President Vivian Pender presented the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic’s Director of Psychiatry, John J. Hutchings, with a donation of $30,226 as part of its annual APA Gives Back program. Now in its 13th year, APA Gives Back provides an opportunity for the organization, its members, and Annual Meeting attendees to support a charitable organization in the city in which the meeting is held. APA matches member/attendee donations dollar for dollar.

Founded in 1998, the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic (NOMC) has been a lifeline for musicians, performers, and culture bearers by providing access to quality physical and mental healthcare, social services, and health equity programs. 

Serving more than 2,600 community members a year, the NOMC aims to connect members of the cultural community with the care, attention, and resources that they deserve. Through their work, they uphold their mission to overcome health disparities and uplift the performers who are the core of the New Orleans community.

“New Orleans has a tremendous cultural tradition, and we were enthusiastic to support local musicians and the work of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic,” said APA President Vivian Pender, M.D. “In many ways, their work aligns perfectly with APA’s mission and the theme of our meeting, the social determinants of mental health.”

"The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic is honored to partner with ‘APA Gives Back’ to bolster vital mental health resources for New Orleans' cultural community members," says Dr. John J. Hutchings, the clinic’s director of psychiatric services. "The pandemic, natural disasters, and the cancellation of cultural events in the last few years forced musicians and culture bearers to put their calling on hold for their physical safety, which has been devastating for their mental health. Thanks to the American Psychiatric Association’s generous support, the Musicians' Clinic can continue providing accessible care to help performers overcome health obstacles and allow for the long-term support needed to ensure our city's unique culture thrives for generations to come."

Contributions to the NOMC can be made through the APA’s Annual Meeting registration process via the Annual Meeting registration portal. If you have already registered and would like to donate, you can do so by logging into the Registration Resource Center and selecting “Upgrade.”.

About New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation

The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic’s (NOMC) mission is to keep New Orleans music ALIVE by sustaining the city’s traditional and emerging music cultures. It provides cost-efficient access to reliable, comprehensive healthcare, mental health support, and social services for over 2,600 performing artist patients and is the nation’s ONLY organization to provide direct medical services to musicians and culture bearers regardless of their insurance status. The New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation (NOMAF) supports and operates the NOMC, expanding the mission to keep New Orleans music ALIVE through community programs that focus on factors impacting performers’ wellbeing, such as preventive health education, food security, advocacy, and mental health, to bolster connection and resilience among the local music community. Learn more at musiciansclinic.org.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 37,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.