Katie Cowan, MT-BC, NICU-MT, is a board-certified music therapist working downtown at Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Hospital. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. She is certified as a neonatal intensive care unit music therapist through the Florida State University College of Music, Tallahassee.

Katie works with children and adults in the behavioral health setting, providing group and individual consultations daily. She has a passion for creating and sharing music with others as they work through times of pain and healing. In her spare time, Katie enjoys playing bassoon, gardening and cooking new recipes.

Rachel Ford, MT-BC, CSW, is a board-certified music therapist and certified social worker serving patients at Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Louisville in 2022, followed by her master’s degree in social work in 2025. Rachel works primarily with children in behavioral health, providing group sessions and individual consultations. With her multifaceted training, she brings an integrated, strengths-based approach to her work — supporting the emotional and psychosocial needs of her patients. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends and family, camping and serving in her church.

Hannah Gibson, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist at Norton Audubon Hospital. She graduated from the University of Louisville in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. Prior to joining Norton Healthcare in 2024, she completed a pediatric medical internship and fellowship. Through these experiences, Hannah developed a passion for working with patients with all types of diagnoses. This passion led Hannah to pursue further education in music therapy for neurological conditions. Outside of work, she loves to read and spend time with friends, family and her dog.

Emily G. Gudgel, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist with Norton Cancer Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Louisville. She completed an internship at UK HealthCare, working with a variety of patients, including general medical, neurological, pediatrics, NICU, behavioral health and oncology. She currently serves adult oncology patients at several Norton Healthcare campuses. Emily enjoys connecting with patients through the universal language of music and providing individualized support to patients and families. Outside of work, Emily enjoys fitness, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Kyle Hubert, MT-BC, currently serves as the supervisor of music therapy at Norton Audubon Hospital, providing inpatient and outpatient music therapy services full time. He received his Bachelor of Arts in music from the University of Kentucky, followed by post-baccalaureate equivalency in music therapy. Kyle has a deep passion for patient care and has pursued additional training for patients with neurological conditions and those in hospice and palliative care.  As director of the Norton Healthcare music therapy internship program, he supervises interns and practicum students from the University of Louisville and other affiliated universities. Outside of work, he loves being outdoors, spending time with his wife and dogs, and going on runs through his neighborhood.

Caitlyn Kirchner, MT-BC, NICU-MT, is the music therapist for the Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, where she works with premature infants and their families. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Louisville.. She then completed an internship at Norton Healthcare, where she developed a passion for music therapy in the medical setting. In addition to her work with inpatients, Caitlyn also leads a “New Baby: Music and Bonding” developmental music group for families of early infants. Outside of work, she loves to be outside, enjoy good food with friends and spend time with loved ones.

Kennedy McCollam, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist with Norton Cancer Institute. She graduated from the University of Louisville in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. She previously completed an internship at a children’s hospital, where she developed a passion for working in the medical setting. Kennedy enjoys using music to create a safe and individualized space for patients and their families to share, create and connect. Kennedy provides music therapy services to inpatient and outpatient adult oncology patients and their families. 

Jailynn Noel, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist working at Norton Audubon Hospital. She is a University of Louisville graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, with an interest in jazz. Jailynn previously worked as an intern at Norton Healthcare in early 2023 and has gained experience working with a wide range of patients and diagnoses.

In addition to working as a music therapist, Jailynn works as a professional bassist and can be found playing at various venues in Louisville. She also serves as a teaching artist for the Louisville Jazz Initiative, which seeks to share and preserve the rich history of jazz music and provide growth opportunities for young musicians in the community. Jailynn is committed to using her passion for music to help those around her. 

Brett Northrup, MT-BC, is originally from upstate New York and has lived in Louisville since 2006. He is an alumnus of the University of Louisville School of Music and has been a board-certified music therapist since 2012.

Since 2013, Brett has served pediatric and adult oncology patients and their families as part of the expressive therapy teams at Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine.

In addition to his role as a music therapist, Brett is a facilitator of the Teen Warrior and Cancer Beats programs, which are focused on meeting the unique needs of young adults affected by cancer. Brett loves all music and is passionate about music’s ability to meet us where we are in life, helping us connect with our emotions and relate to others.

Alexis Ruffner, MS, MT-BC, NICU-MT, earned her bachelor’s degree in music and creative writing from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, a bachelor’s equivalency in music therapy from the University of Louisville, and a Master of Science in early childhood and family development from Missouri State University, Springfield. She currently serves as the music therapist at the Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit, working with premature infants and their families and leading early infant and parent developmental music groups. Alex is actively engaged in research and is a member of the editorial board for Imagine, an annual early childhood music therapy publication. 

Kerry Willis, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist for Norton Brownsboro Hospital and has been with Norton Healthcare since 2006. She has pursued additional music therapy training related to neurological disease and disorders of consciousness. In addition to her work with inpatients at Norton Brownsboro Hospital, Kerry also provides support to the Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers through leadership in a variety of community groups, including a music and wellness group and “NeuroTones,” which is a choir for individuals with a variety of neurologic diagnoses including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

Peony Zhao, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist at Norton Audubon Hospital. She received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from the University of Louisville in 2024 and completed her internship with Norton Healthcare. Peony is dedicated to providing empathy and creating meaningful connections through music for pain management, improving quality of life, and promoting social and emotional well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cats, playing video games and recording covers.