Comments about Our Teachers
“Thanks for your passion, sensitivity and humor. I felt like I was always hanging on your every word. You are extremely articulate and a gifted story teller.”
— Denise Sullivan,
Madison, AL
“Amazing! I would follow you across the country to learn from you! Thank you for your knowledge!!”
— Christine LaLonde,
Ontario, Canada
“Thank you for your wisdom and willingness - I feel so very lucky & blessed to have learned from All of you!”
— Lisa Gallauresi,
Easthampton, MA
“Loved everyone's general supporting, loving attitudes”
— Kristina S.,
Carrollton, GA
“Every one of these ladies is extremely knowledgable, helpful and caring. I am blessed to have had them as instructors. All have such loving hands!”
— Renee Langdon,
Edgewater, FL
“All three of you were helpful, easy to understand, able to communicate info in a clear, concise manner, approachable, passionate about your work - fun to work with. Thank you!”
— Jo Bunny,
Northampton, MA
“You are all very thorough. I loved the course. Thank you! Tracy - impressed by all you have accomplished. You're amazing.; Nanci - your sense of humor helps break any nervous tension or anxiety! Cindy - very patient and
understanding.”
— Erin K.,
Bel Air, MD
“ I know Nancy and Cindy are very different people with different styles and BOTH were very reassuring, had excellent life examples to share, both so lovely and NICE.”
— Hillary K.,
West Hartford, CT
“Tracy has a very thorough knowledge of material, presents clearly and honestly. Creates open space for students to share ideas. Erika has an excellent knowledge base. Brings a joyousness to the class room that is needed when discussing materials that can be depressing.”
— Matthew Steere,
Chapel Hill, NC
“All teachers werevery good, really enfold the class.”
— Gaby Wegner,
Spring Hill, FL
“I thoroughly enjoyed the learning atmosphere.”
— Nancy Keeney Smith,
Gainesville, FL
Our teaching team is enthusiastic, talented, and dedicated to the practice of massage therapy with medically complex clients. Each brings unique gifts to the classroom, but they work as a team and share many common qualities: approachability, friendliness, thoughtful and unassuming leadership,
and years of clinical experience. They have committed themselves to their students, the curriculum, and the long view of massage practice within integrative health care. Without exception, our teachers earn warm reviews from appreciative students. It is a treat to share clinic and classroom time with them.
Cindy Gillan has been an instructor in the oncology massage program at Boston Medical Center. She is a licensed massage therapist and taught for 15 years at at Cortiva Institute-Boston (formerly Muscular Therapy Institute). Her work with people with cancer includes participation in NIH-funded massage therapy research. She loves teaching, and brings her steady presence and sense of humor to each classroom experience. Cindy holds a master's degree in health care administration and has maintained a private practice since 1993. An avid runner and cyclist, she is a regular rider and volunteer for the Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
“Cindy did a great job with clinics and presentation, was relaxed and joyful. She had great stories that related to MT and individuals with cancer.”
— Karen P., Eau Claire, WI
Julie Streeter is a registered nurse with 30 years of experience in medical-surgical nursing, oncology and hospice care. Based in Minneapolis, she is an adjunct professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University, where she teaches oncology massage. Julie is a graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute. She brings a world of clinical experience, warmth, and caring attention to her students. She serves on the board of the Society for Oncology Massage. Julie has worked with outpatients at the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute and as an integrative therapist at Unity Hospital, where she provided massage and other complementary therapies to hospitalized patients.
“Julie is very kind, funny, and knowledgeable. I loved that she had a nursing background. She was very helpful with hands-on.”
— Ellen Bass, Verona, WI
Joan Rau is a licensed massage therapist in private practice since 1996 in the Atlanta area. She has supervised clinics in the massage school setting and taught massage to caregivers. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for both her students and clients alike. Joan is a charter member of the Society for Oncology Massage and remains an active member. She shares her time and talent with many local organizations including Young Survivors Coalition and Dragon Boat Atlanta. In her free time, Joan participates in sprint triathlons, enjoys swimming and hiking, and is an avid jigsaw puzzle lover.
“Joan was so kind and knowledgeable.”
— Najat Naas, Duluth, GA
Nanci Newton is a 1998 graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute, and an adjunct faculty member at Springfield Technical Community College. She has maintained a full time practice since 1998, and employs five MTs at her award-winning company, The Healing Zone Therapeutic Massage. They offer oncology massage and provide massage for caregivers and patients at the Cancer Connection in Northampton. In 2014, Nanci was named one of "The 100" honored by Massachusetts General Hospital who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the fight against cancer. Nanci organizes oncology massage volunteers for the annual Pan Mass Challenge. She is a musician, juggler and dedicated just for fun runner in many annual fundraising events from 5k to half marathons.
“Nanci was fun, detailed and so spunky, she made learning enjoyable!!”
— Kristi Carrier, Blue Ridge, GA
Erika Slocum is a graduate of the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, MA (2005), and completed the Boston Medical Center oncology massage training. She has a busy private practice in Somerville, Massachusetts, where she specializes in oncology massage, prenatal massage, and orthopedic techniques. A dedicated massage therapist and former event planner, she organized, recruited, and supported both students and clients in our oncology massage workshops and clinics for nearly five years. She brings a bachelor's degree in communications, a long history as a dancer, and a passion for massage and massage education to her healing work. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and two small children.
“Erika is a natural educator. Informative, funny, and very real about the hard parts of working w/people who have or have had cancer.”
— Brandi Miss, Kitty Hawk, NC
