Contact Information

Regina Cobb
Director, Therapeutic Massage Program,
Web site Content Manager
rmcobb@ccri.edu
Tel: 401-851-1681

For more information about the program e-mail: dwatson@ccri.edu

Faculty Profiles

Regina M. CobbRegina M. Cobb, MSW, LCMT – Program Director

Since 2001, Regina has been the Program Director of the Therapeutic Massage Program at the Community College of Rhode Island, overseeing the curriculum, adjunct faculty and students. While much of her time is focused on the administrative management of the program, she is a continual advocate for the profession—for the students, CCRI alumni, and the community. In addition, she is one of the instructors of the program, a role that she thoroughly enjoys—teaching the physiological and emotional benefits of therapeutic massage. Among the courses she teaches are Pathophysiology, Introduction to Therapeutic Massage, Medical Terminology, Deep Tissue, Professional Development Seminars, and acts as coordinator of the In-House Student Clinic each year. Regina received her Masters in Clinical Social Work from Simmons College and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Psychology and Criminal Justice from C.W. Post University. Since 1997, Regina has served as a Red Cross volunteer, First Responder, for Disaster Mental Health. She is the coordinator for the Crisis Massage Team of Rhode Island and is an active member and committee chairperson for the Rhode Island chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is a nationally certified, licensed massage therapist for over 10 years, having graduated from the Muscular Therapy Institute. Her areas of concentration are Deep Tissue massage, Sports massage, Pregnancy massage, and stress relief.

Karlo BergerKarlo Berger, AOBTA, LMT – Adjunct Faculty

Karlo Berger has practiced shiatsu at Harvard University Health Services since 1998, and maintains a private practice in Providence, RI specializing in pregnancy shiatsu. He has also practiced at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. A graduate of the Boston Shiatsu School, Karlo has studied with Kikuko Miyazaki, Patricia Carusone, Janet MacDonald, and Suzanne Yates. Karlo is founder of the Boston-based Integrative Medicine Alliance, and is President of Whole Health Solutions LLC (www.KarloBerger.com). As a new member of the Therapeutic Massage Program’s adjunct faculty, Karlo will be teaching Shiatsu during the Spring 2009 semester.

Alda MedeirosAlda Medeiros, LCMT, CEIM – Adjunct Faculty

Alda Medeiros has worked in the medical field for 27 years. She graduated from CCRI with an Associate Degree in 1981 (Medical Secretarial Sciences) and in 2005, graduated from CCRI’s (Therapeutic Massage Associate Program). She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Social Services at Roger Williams University in 2002 and received certification as an Educator of Infant Massage through the International Association of Infant Massage in 2007. Over the years, she has worked in various supervisory and management capacities in the health care field. She is a nationally certified, licensed massage therapist for the past three years. In her private practice, she offers relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, pregnancy massage, hot stone treatments, and infant massage instruction. She is a member of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Advisory Council and is also a mentor for students in the Therapeutic Massage program. She is a member of the Rhode Island Crisis Massage Team, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and serves as Secretary and Education chairperson for the Rhode Island chapter. This Fall, she joined the adjunct faculty of the Therapeutic Massage program at CCRI and teaches Swedish Massage.

Deb LuhrsDeb Luhrs, LCMT – Adjunct Faculty

Deb Luhrs has been in practice for 18 years. A graduate of the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in 1990, Deb has continued her massage education in sports, neuromuscular, myofascial release and lymphatic drainage. She has worked with athletes, from an Olympic hopeful in 1992, tennis professionals in 1993, and to an individual cyclist completing the Race Across America in less than 10 days in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Currently, Deb is maintaining a practice with three other licensed massage therapists and teaches at CCRI. She has been a member of the RI chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association since 1990, serving in various capacities including President and Immediate Past President. It has been her involvement with this association that has given her guidance and helped her grow both personally and professionally. Deb is a member of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Advisory Council and is also a mentor for students in the Therapeutic Massage program. She is a member of the Rhode Island Crisis Massage Team. Deb continues to teach the Introduction to Therapeutic Massage course at the Newport and Providence campuses.

Lou Ann BotsfordLou Ann Botsford, LCMT – Adjunct Faculty

Lou Ann is the recipient of the 2008 National American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Sports Massage Team Award for her work with the Rhode Island chapter. As chairperson of the RI AMTA team, she is responsible for planning, promoting and mobilizing massage therapists for amateur and professional athletic events. Her sports massage resume includes but is not limited to the Boston Marathon, MS-150, Pan-Mass Challenge, and Operation Stand Down for Veterans, RI Special Olympics, Breakers Marathon and the AMICA 70.3 Ironman. Having been a member of the Brown University team participating in the 2008 Multiple Sclerosis-150 cycling event, Lou Ann knows firsthand the importance of massage for the athlete. She believes massage contributed directly to her success and post-event recovery! Her personal focus on a healthy lifestyle includes teaching indoor cycling in both a health club setting and at Brown University, where she has served students, faculty and staff since 2005. Lou Ann is a 2006 graduate of the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy and has received additional training in Orthopedic Massage, Active Isolated Stretching, Thai Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy and is certified in Pregnancy Massage. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and has earned a Teaching Certificate from the University of Rhode Island. Her teaching experience includes work in the elementary school setting, serving as a Writing Consultant for adult students at URI’s Feinstein School of Continuing Education and as a Teaching Assistant for Thai Table Massage Certification at the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy. Lou Ann brings quality experience to the massage field from a variety of settings: she is trained as a member of the RI Crisis Massage Team and has worked at a neuromuscular treatment center, wellness center/health club, and resort spa. Lou Ann is currently practicing massage at a training facility exclusively for professional, collegiate and high school athletes. As a new member of the Therapeutic Massage Program’s adjunct faculty, Lou Ann will be teaching Sports Massage this coming summer.

Thom SaucierThom Saucier, LCMT – Adjunct Faculty

Thom has been in practice for 8 years and is a graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island’s Therapeutic Massage Program. He has owned a business for many years and currently works full time as a private practitioner in Newport. Thom is a member of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Advisory Council and is also a mentor for students in the Therapeutic Massage program. He teaches Massage Practice Building at the Newport campus. Thom has continued his education in sports massage and has experience working with nationally ranked sports teams. Thom is a RIAMTA member, is nationally certified and has been a licensed massage therapist since 2001.

Patricia BachusPatricia Bachus, RN, LCMT – Adjunct Faculty

Patricia Bachus has worked in the medical field as a registered nurse for 46 years. She graduated from Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing in 1961 and later received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Salve Regina University in 1981. She was employed at Newport Hospital from 1961 until 2005 and worked in various hospital departments from Intensive Care, Coronary Care, Medical, Surgical, Emergency, Radiology, and Administration. She is a nationally certified, licensed massage therapist for the past eight years. In her private practice, she offers relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, craniosacral therapy and reiki. She is a member of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Advisory Council and is also a mentor for students in the Therapeutic Massage program. She is a member of the Rhode Island Crisis Massage Team, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and serves as President for the Rhode Island chapter. Pat as been an adjunct faculty member since 2003, continues to teach the Introduction to Therapeutic Massage course and is one of the supervisors of the In-House Student Clinic. She has volunteered at various events over the past few years, specifically for the American Red Cross for the Egypt Air Flight 990 disaster, Multiple Sclerosis 150-Mile Bike Tour, the 2001 Gravity Games, Narragansett Lions Club’s Blessing of the Fleet, Half Man Triathlon, and various wellness health fairs.

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

Lee is a registered nurse and a graduate of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage and Nursing Programs. She has a private massage practice in Tiverton and became recently certified in Dowsing, under Slim Spurling. Dowsing is used improve health from the negative impact on the electromagnetic field. Lee currently works at Saint Anne’s Hospital in Fall River in the Breast Care Woman’s Health Center where she provides chair massage, case management and is a circulating nurse for biopsies. She is a grandmother of three. Lee is a member of CCRI’s Therapeutic Massage Advisory Council and is also a mentor for students in the Therapeutic Massage program. She is a member of the Rhode Island Crisis Massage Team and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). She joined the adjunct faculty of the Therapeutic Massage program at CCRI in 2003 and is one of the supervisors of the In-House Student Clinic.

Valerie BenedettiValerie Benedetti, LMT – Lab Assistant

Valerie has been practicing massage for 22 years. She is a graduate of the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy and was a graduate of CCRI’s Physical Therapy Assistant Program in 1999. She maintains a private practice in Providence. Valerie has been assisting the Therapeutic Massage Program since 2002. She has been an invaluable support for the In-House Student Clinic, Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage classes. She has been a member of the Crisis Massage Team since 2005.