Jess Rushing, PhD, MT-BC, (NICU-MT) earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and Master of Music in Music Therapy from the Florida State University. Jess completed her Doctorate of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences with an emphasis in music therapy during acute post-stroke care and internship supervision using Self-Determination Theory at the University of Kentucky. Before joining the University of Louisville faculty, Jess was the lead music therapy clinician and internship director at UK HealthCare.

Jess has worked clinically with all ages from premature infants to end-of-life with considerable experience in medical settings. She is a Fellow of the National Institute of Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy and regularly guest lectures on medical music therapy treatment and program development. Jess has been involved in NICU research as clinician and was involved with the implementation of NICU music therapy reimbursement practices.