Sing for Hope has announced the appointment of Dr. Roopa Kalyanaraman Marcello as its inaugural Chief of Public Health Innovation.

The pioneering non-profit organization brings the healing power of the arts to diverse settings, including healthcare facilities, community centers, and public spaces. In this newly created role, Dr. Kalyanaraman Marcello will spearhead the strategic development and expansion of Sing for Hope’s Public Health and Wellbeing program. This impactful program was one of the nation’s most robust employers of musicians during the pandemic with its arts-in-vaccine-confidence programming. Dr. Kalyanaraman Marcello will also lead research initiatives to measure programmatic impact on individual and community wellbeing.

Prior to joining Sing for Hope, Dr. Kalyanaraman Marcello served for six years as Senior Director of Research and Evaluation in the Office of Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation’s largest municipal healthcare system. In this role, she led rigorous evaluations of initiatives to address health inequities, conducted innovative studies on COVID-19 disparities, designed training to promote COVID-19 vaccination, and launched initiatives to improve access to healthy food. She has also worked for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and as a communications and strategy advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Dr. Kalyanaraman Marcello is a violinist, pianist, and singer.

Founding board member Renée Fleming said Dr. Kalyanaraman Marcello’s appointment, “marks a significant step forward in Sing for Hope’s commitment to the burgeoning field of arts and health. Her expertise will be invaluable in strengthening our evidence-based programs and solidifying Sing for Hope’s position as a leader in this fast-evolving field.”