About the Musician Treatment Foundation

Our Mission: Keep the Music Playing

The Musician Treatment Foundation helps professional musicians suffering with shoulder, elbow, and hand injuries access free orthopedic care when they cannot afford it. MTF is dedicated to fostering a world that cares for its injured musicians so they can maintain their livelihoods and keep the music playing for us all.

Professional musicians can sustain upper limb injuries without warning from the repetitive intensity of playing instruments, ordinary accidents, and underlying conditions. Our international Physicians for Musicians network of expert orthopedic surgeons enables MTF to help musicians whether they are at home or on the road. Through the generosity of our P4M doctors we help eligible musicians receive free or heavily discounted care.

Since 2017 MTF has helped hundreds of professional musicians receive orthopedic care valued at over $3.5 million. MTF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and copies of its Form 990s are available on request.

Learn more by watching our new video – MTF: We Keep The Music Playing – produced and narrated by renowned storyteller Sandy Kenyon:

Meet the Leadership Team

Dr. O. Alton Barron, Founder & Chairman

As a practicing orthopedic surgeon for nearly three decades, Dr. Barron has witnessed the devastating impact upper limb injuries can have on musicians. After providing pro bono and greatly discounted surgical care to many musicians, he established the Musician Treatment Foundation to help more musicians in need. Dr. Barron enlisted 18 other distinguished professionals to the MTF Board of Directors to contribute their keen expertise in business, healthcare, law, music, technology, and more. His longtime friends, Elvis Costello and Diana Krall, are founding members of the board who have been tremendous supporters and instrumental in bringing momentum to the foundation.

Irene Chang-Cimino, Executive Director & Vice President

As an attorney and senior advisor for three decades, Irene assisted individuals, communities, and companies in times of crisis and disaster. She joined MTF, understanding that orthopedic care is essential to professional musicians and that timely assistance is critical when they cannot afford the care they need, and that music is essential to all of us.