The Armstrong Center will provide music therapy for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dr. Joanne Loewy has been working with such patients, investigating the effects of playing wind instruments on their conditions. Therapists will also research the effects of singing and music visualization.

The center also includes a wellness center that will research the specific medical needs of New York musicians, such as overuse injuries, chemical dependency, and depression.

The Louis Armstrong Educational Fund, which helped to create the center, has been supporting research into music therapy since 1994. Beth Israel is also home to the Louis and Lucille Armstrong Music Therapy Program, created by Loewy, upon which the new center will expand.