It’s not about the win…it’s that you had the courage to begin...

These words of encouragement from a marathon runner motivated me as I was training for my first MS-150 bike ride…I have since learned that they hold true for whatever we do…and remind my students and clients that so often, starting is the hardest part and once something is begun, you’ve already won.

The athletes and volunteers we support at our sports massage events (The Ride for Diabetes, Save the Bay Swim, Special Olympics, MS-150, Pan Mass Challenge and the CVS Charity Classic) know that victory is not about crossing the finish line…it’s all about taking that important first step! The CCRI students I’ve had the good fortune to teach have made me proud to work beside them at the finish lines and on the fields…they have represented themselves and CCRI in a manner that reflects the high standards of the massage therapy profession.

My goal for each class is to remind students about what they already know and to apply this knowledge in a new and different way. I’ll wear a costume, bring in props or play a game to keep things fresh and keep the focus alive. My experience tells me, “If we can laugh, the work is cut in half!”

Lou Ann Botsford, LCMT

CCRI Adjunct Faculty

November 2009

My experience was amazing.

I learned a great deal about myself. I have learned that I can handle a lot more than I thought I could. My most memorable moment has been meeting and becoming so close with all of my class mates.

~Caitlin Trudell
Class of 2009

CCRI made my dream possible

First and foremost I am proud to say that I am a two time graduate of CCRI; as an RN as well as a Licensed Certified Massage Therapist. Both careers have pretty much become intertwined, which was my dream, CCRI made it possible through the efforts of Program Director Regina Cobb and all her faculty. The greatest privilege bestowed upon me was to be invited by Regina Cobb to be part of Adjunct Faculty. As the students clinical supervisor my greatest reward is to see students already performing with such compassion for the career that they have chosen with skill and intuition. The best part of the day with the students is discussing their experiences and seeing their faces gleaming with a true sense of accomplishing and meeting their clients’ needs. My most memorable moment when I was a student was at one of our field placements for internship; it was actually hilarious! We were at "Shake a Leg" which was a summer program for wheelchair bound youngsters and adults held at Salve Regina College. My classmates and I were outside under two enormous trees with a wall at our backs for cover, that was to be our room to work on staff. Little did we know that next door the Mother Superior was to have an outside tea party with many important guests, were our faces RED WHEN WE WERE KINDLY ASKED TO MOVE.

~ Leanor (Lee) Silva , RN, LCMT – In-House Clinic Supervisor

Fast paced and full of opportunities to learn

My experience has been fast paced and full of opportunities to learn about massage, the human body and myself as a person. It has been a joy to meet the people I have and to let this small select group of people into my life.

The most important thing I have learned about myself is that I can accomplish anything they want if I put my mind to it. While my endeavors over the past year have been challenging it has been very rewarding to take on a totally new direction in my interests. It is also evident to me that I have not lost my enthusiasm to learn new things. I have always been a person interested in “wanting to know why” things work as they do or are as they are.

There have been many memorable moments within my experience in the therapeutic massage program. The snacks at break time during Shiatsu class, summer clinic and the field work during sports massage, particularly working the Special Olympics. However, the event that sticks out most in my mind was the appreciation dinner at Buttonhole Golf Club for those who volunteered at the CVS Classic. A truly wholesome environment on a perfect summer evening with those closest to me, including my wife Jeanne!

~Gregory Behie
Class of 2009

Best in the state

I think the massage program's reputation as the best in the state, and one of the best in the region, is well deserved. Teaching at CCRI means that I get to offer a challenging bodywork curriculum to an exceptionally diverse group of students in the supportive environment that a community college can provide. CCRI is one of the few programs in New England to offer a semester-long introduction to shiatsu therapy, which is what I teach. Shiatsu requires from the practitioner good sensitivity, coordination, and inner balance. I am proud to see my students rise to this challenge and demonstrate impressive shiatsu technique. And it thrills me to know that many will be integrating shiatsu into their massage work at a range of healthcare institutions throughout the region.

~ Karlo Berger , AOBTA, LMT – Adjunct Faculty

I am proud to be able to say that I am a graduate of the first Therapeutic Massage Therapy Program at CCRI

I am proud to be able to say that I am a graduate of the first Therapeutic Massage Therapy Program at CCRI. The stories are many funny, surprising, happy, sad, and stressful but most of all rewarding.

What we as students were given was a dream a possibility of a future where we could make a difference in the lives of others.

Today, almost 10 Years later I still see that dream played out in the lives of the Students that I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with in the Student clinics, the Classroom and at the many Field Events.

What I see is professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication. People frequently remark to me how knowledgeable and proficient the students seem to be, they often mention that the quality of the work is equal to and sometimes better than a Spa that they have used in the past. Needless to say I agree! Each year our program here at CCRI expands and delivers the educational and experience components that our students need to be successful in today’s market place.

It is a true gift to see a frightened, unsure, awkward student grow into a competent professional and know that in some small way I may have played a role in that growth.

~Pat Bachus, Therapeutic Massage Therapy Program Graduate

Graduates from CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Program truly stand out from the rest!!

The therapeutic massage profession is an amazing, rewarding profession. The opportunities are endless, especially for graduates from CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Program—because as a result of their training and the skills learned—they truly stand out from the rest!!

Teaching at CCRI has been a tremendously rewarding experience for me. For me—being a past graduate of CCRI’s therapeutic massage program has afforded me the skills needed to run a successful practice. For me—being a mentor has allowed me to share my skills and experience with others. For me—being part of the adjunct faculty to help students learn the art of therapeutic massage—I am so proud to be part of the CCRI experience!

Having been a past graduate of the program myself has only enhanced my rapport with the students because I can relate to their challenges. It’s wonderful to watch the students evolve, mature, and grow through the program, and being a part of that process is amazing. Students know that the faculty genuinely cares for their success and students and faculty work together every step of the way!

I teach two classes—Therapeutic Massage I and Massage Practice Building. Therapeutic Massage I is the first course in the program. This course is very structured and lays the framework for the rest of the program. There are two concepts that are most rewarding to see in this class: The first is the camaraderie between the students—this class builds that framework and that cohesion continues throughout the rest of the program—they become a family! The second is to see the students create individualized treatment flows as part of their final exam—all of the techniques and hands-on practice skills learned throughout the course come together during their final 60-minute practicum!

In the Massage Practice Building course, students are exposed to various components in setting up their own massage practice. Among the concepts learned are managing finances, strategic planning, budgeting, advertising, and daily operations—the end result is the creation of a formalized written business plan! I especially find it rewarding to hear that students want to open their own businesses as a result of what they learned in this class!

While there have been many memorable occasions at CCRI, the most memorable moment for me was when one of the graduating classes asked me to be the speaker at their pinning ceremony. I was deeply touched, and when I asked them why, they simply replied “because you know us and you know how far we’ve come!”

~Alda Medeiros, LCMT, CEIM – Adjunct Faculty

My experience has been both challenging and gratifying

The passion and dedication of all of the CCRI massage program instructors has helped me to unearth and develop what I would call the “gift and talent” of giving a comprehensive and professional massage.

There have been many memorable moments for me, not only in my fieldwork and class work, but especially as a team member at our massage therapy volunteer events where we worked together, had fun together and helped thousands of people.

~Donna Tschuta
Class of 2009