PhD Jagoda Rusowicz

She completed her bachelor's and master's degrees at the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, majoring in Composition and Music Theory, with a specialisation in Music Therapy. In 2018, she completed a course at The International Neurologic Music Therapy Training Institute at ArtEZ in Enschede (Netherlands). She obtained her PhD in medical and health sciences in the field of physical culture in 2024, as part of a 4-year doctoral programme at the Polish Olympians Academy of Physical Education in Wrocław (supervisor: Prof. Joanna Szczepańska-Gieracha).

She is currently pursuing a master's degree in psychology (clinical specialisation) at the SWPS University in Wrocław. In the 2023/2024 academic year, she completed a one-year research internship there under the supervision of Prof. Agata Gąsiorowska.

She also enriched her professional qualifications with a professional course in Rhythmics Instruction and training as a teacher of music education programmes Music Together (Bonn, Germany) and Pomelody.

She currently works as an academic lecturer (AMKL) and music therapist, focusing her activities on working with children and seniors (therapeutic and preventive workshops).

She has experience working with adults who have experienced mental health crises and women aged 60+ at high risk of metabolic syndrome and co-occurring depression (Fundacja Opieka i Troska; Fundacja Siwy Dym).

She regularly participates in conferences, workshops and courses to improve her professional qualifications.

Work experience: ALTO Integrated Primary School (ul. Wietrzna 10, Wrocław), ‘Subrideo’ Therapeutic Kindergarten in Wrocław, ‘Rodzinkowo’ Pedagogical and Psychological Support Centre.

Cooperation in previous years: Przyjazny Tarnogaj Association, Misiowa Kraina Kindergartens, MOZART Music School in Krakow, Ładne Historie Foundation, Krzyżowa Foundation for European Understanding, Lower Silesian Alzheimer's Foundation (Wrocław Alzheimer's Centre), Day Care Centre ‘Na Ciepłej’, Siwy Dym Foundation, Day Care Centre Senior+, Umbrella Foundation for the Support of Non-Governmental Organisations (creation and training of support groups for seniors and carers), Friends of Seniors Association.

Recent publications:

2022. Rusowicz Jagoda, Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna, Kiper Paweł. Neurologic music therapy in geriatric rehabilitation: a systematic review. Healthcare. 2022; 10 (11): 1-14. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10112187.

2022. Rusowicz Jagoda, Serweta Anna, Juszko Karolina, Idzikowski Wojciech, Gajda Robert, Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna. Factors associated with undertaking health-promoting activities by older women at high risk of metabolic syndrome. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19 (23): 1-16. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192315957.

2021. Rusowicz Jagoda, Serweta Anna, Idzikowski Wojciech, Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna. Multimodal therapeutic approach in women with high risk of metabolic syndrome: a single group one centre pre-post study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021; 10(21): 1-12. doi: 10.3390/jcm10214915.

2021. Rusowicz, J.; Pezdek, K.; Szczepańska-Gieracha, J. Needs of Alzheimer’s Charges’ Caregivers in Poland in the Covid-19 Pandemic—An Observational Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 4493. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094493.

2021. Szczepańska-Gieracha Joanna, Rusowicz Jagoda, Markowska Anna. Depression symptoms related to undertaking regular physical activity in students of the Faculty of Physiotherapy. Physiother Quart. 2021; 29(1): 40-46. doi: 10.5114/pq.2020.99753

Recent projects:

2023 – 2024. Initiator and co-implementer of the holistic music education project with elements of music therapy ‘Musikkindergarten’ implemented by the Krzyżowa Foundation for European Understanding in the ‘Zielona Kraina’ kindergarten in Krzyżowa.

2021–2024. One of the implementers of the FILM THERAPY WORKSHOPS project for parents and carers of people with disabilities as part of the ‘Breathe with Culture’ project; 1st-3rd edition of the art therapy respite programme, co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund, a state special-purpose fund, and by the County Office in Świdnica.

2021. Co-creation of the Alzheimer's Cafe online project together with the SIWY DYM Foundation for the Activation of Seniors, which included training and therapeutic interventions for family carers via the Internet during COVID-19.