Speaker Bios

Dr. Dorothea Atkins is the premier pioneering researcher who combined her 20 plus years of experience in nursing, teaching, and massage therapy to empower millions of people suffering with osteoarthritis. She has taught hundreds of healthcare workers and massage therapists her “Knee Self-Massage” technique which can potentially prevent repetitive injuries for massage therapists.

Becca Torns Barker, MEd, BA, LMT, has dedicated nearly a a decade of her nineteen-year career to specializing in abdominal massage, studying various techniques within the field. She holds a Master's Degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education. Becca is also a continuing education provider for StrongHouse and has served as an adjunct professor in an Associate's Degree massage therapy program.

Ben E. Benjamin holds a Ph.D. in sports medicine. He studied under Dr. Cyriax who is widely known for his pioneering work in orthopedic medicine. Benjamin is the author of the widely-used books in the field, Listen To Your Pain, Are You Tense? and Exercise Without Injury as well as dozens of articles on injuries.

Kelly Bowers is an educator, writer, and professional explainer who has been teaching and writing about business for massage therapists since 2003; her specialty is helping massage therapists begin, re-start, or pivot in private practice. Kelly has written four books on business for massage therapists and is a regular contributor to Massage Magazine. She has also presented at numerous chapter and national AMTA events; she lives, works, and is licensed in Durham, NC.

Mark Capriotti is a board certified licensed massage therapist with an advanced certification in sports massage. He is a neuromuscular therapy and sports massage instructor at the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy and operates a practice that specializes in providing massage to high-level collegiate and professional athletes who compete in the NFL, NHL, NCAA, WWE and WFA.

Jessica Crow is a wellness leader with 24+ years experience in massage, mindfulness, yoga and meditation. She is a teacher-trainer, leading workshops in 7 countries, and serves on the board of Pacific College of Health and Science. Jessica has numerous courses with NCBTMB and is a seasoned speaker, course leader and published author.

Kerry D’Ambrogio, DOM, AP, PT, DO-MTP, is a physical therapist, osteopath, and board-certified acupuncture physician with over 30 years of teaching experience in more than 20 countries. He is the author of Positional Release Therapy and has published articles in physical, occupational, and massage therapy journals. Dr. D’Ambrogio has extensive training in manual therapies, including Upledger Craniosacral Therapy, Barral Visceral Manipulation, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tui Na). He founded the D’Ambrogio Institute to provide a comprehensive osteopathic manual therapy curriculum, aiming to help clinicians make better patient care decisions.

Marian Wolfe Dixon, MA, LMT, and NCTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider, completed master’s degrees in Psychology and Health Education and a post-doctoral Research Fellowship with the National Institutes of Health. Working professionally as a licensed massage therapist and health educator since 1992, she is the author of Myofascial Massage, Body Mechanics and Self-Care Manual, and Bodylessons. Marian has been a consultant, clinical supervisor and massage therapist on research studies on back pain, neck pain, pediatric cancer, chronic pain and PTSD. Her online, NCTMB-Approved CE classes underscore the efficacy of treating pain, stress and trauma with massage, movement and mindfulness to access inner resources for healing.

Dr. Marc Ellis is a professional educator with over 25 years of teaching experience. He is a certified Massage Therapist and has attained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Neuroscience, a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree, and a Diplomat in Chiropractic Neurology. Marc has been faculty at Gwinnett College and the Carrick Institute as well as adjunct faculty at Life University.

Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, is the Vice President and Risk Manager for Healthcare Providers Service Organization in the Healthcare Division of Aon’s Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. Specializing in risk management and having worked in the health care insurance business for over 21 years, Jennifer is dedicated to educating health care professionals on professional liability risks and strategies to mitigate those risks.

Jarrod Fritz has been a massage therapist for over 15 years. Focusing on therapeutic modalities and sports massage techniques, his experience includes working with WWE, College of Charleston Athletics and US National Soccer. He was a massage therapist for the ‘08 Women's National Olympic Soccer Team and currently works as a massage therapist for the National Wrestling Alliance.

Matthew Gavzy is a licensed physical therapist assistant, board certified massage therapist, and educator. He has practiced in a variety of settings including outpatient, sub-acute and skilled nursing facilities helping people with a variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiac issues. Matthew is the owner of Body Workings Massage Therapy, specializing in orthopedic and sports massage and chronic pain management.

Kathy Ginn has been active in the field of massage therapy and bodywork since 1991. She is the creator of Ethical Dimensions, and her continuing education courses focus on Ethics as a Transformational Journey and Self-Leadership. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Body-Centered Hakomi Practitioner, Grief Companion and End of Life Care Doula. For the past 25 years, Kathy has served on faculty at several massage schools. She is a member and volunteer with her local AMTA chapter and is the author of The Soul of Ethical Service.

Michael Hamm has taught anatomy, research literacy, and clinical approaches to manual therapy for the last 13 years. In more recent years, he has developed numerous courses in embodiment practice. Michael also maintains a private massage therapy practice and serves as a clinical director for a medical massage clinic in Seattle.

Buddy Hammonds has been licensed in New York State since 2011 and has been teaching forearm techniques in New York City since 2019. He lectured on sustainable massage techniques at the 2022 AMTA National Convention and recently authored “Make Friends with Your Forearms” for the Fall 2023 issue of Massage Therapy Journal. In addition to his work in massage education, he is an ICF-credentialed coach and a RYT-500.

Patricia Harmon, MM, BSN, RN, CPHRM, serves as a Risk Control Consulting Director, providing analysis of professional liability risks and development of risk mitigation strategies for insured clients. Her clinical background includes medical-surgical, dialysis, obstetrics, physician office practice and pediatric nursing. Prior to joining CNA in 2015, Patricia worked in various roles for a large academic health system.

Christine Hoober is the Manager, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at AMTA. Previously, she worked as the Government Relations Specialist for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and lobbied for the UM System during the 2016 Missouri General Assembly. Christine was also an Iyengar-trained yoga teacher who worked with individuals with Parkinson’s and fibromyalgia, and experienced the benefits of holistic approaches to integrated care firsthand.

Ariel F. Hubbard has worked as a practitioner in the Holistic Health field since 1988 and now teaches in-person and online continuing education. She has been an AMTA member since 1997 and is celebrating 30 years as an educator. As an author, she has written over 100 courses, two books, and articles for Massage Magazine and Massage Today.  She is an approved CE Instructor for the NCBTMB and has facilitated healing work with clients, students and medical professionals in clinical, academic and corporate settings. Ariel is also a Licensed and Certified Massage Therapist, Registered Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Reiki Master Teacher, and a Certified Yoga Instructor.

Miechelle Hwang is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) specializing in Oncology Massage and lymphedema management. She holds the Oncology Massage Specialty Certificate from NCBTMB and provides massage to patients at two infusion centers with Dignity Health in Sacramento. A National Holistic Institute graduate and recipient of the NHI Massage Therapy Ambassador AMTA Convention Scholarship (2017), Miechelle has spoken at multiple medical conferences, including S4OM 2023, and educated with Greet the Day since 2020.

Michelle Johnson began her career in the wellness industry in 2003, earning her Massage Certification in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork from The New School for Massage, Bodywork & Healing in Chicago, IL. She later founded Essential~E Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Inc. (2006-2014), which became the first company contracted by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital to provide corporate massage and wellness services for the front-line nursing and administrative staff.

David Lang has been a Massage Therapist since 1992 and is a certified oncology therapist for children and adults. He practices myotherapy, visceral/neuro manipulation, lymphatic drainage, and AIS, and is well-versed in many energy techniques. David was the Director of Massage Therapy at the University of New Mexico Integrative Clinic and Hospital and is in private practice and contracts with Mariposa, the Pediatric Hospice care group.

David M. Lobenstine, BA, LMT, BCTMB, has been massaging, teaching, and writing, for over 15 years. He sees clients at his private practice, Full Breath Massage, in New York City. David also designs and teaches continuing education workshops, both across the US and online, at Body Brain Breath Continuing Education. He is also a co-author of the third edition of Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy and a regular contributor to Massage & Bodywork.

Melissa Martinie joins us with over 27 years in massage therapy and a background in social work. Her unique perspective is broadened by her role as the Strategic Advisor and Educator for Strong House Continuing Education. Earning her Certificate in Therapeutic Massage in 1997, she has since built and relocated her practice three times and has experienced first-hand the many types of losses that happen in the course of a career in massage therapy.

Jenice Mattek is an author, educator, and practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience. She has taught the importance of post-surgery massage and the impact of improving breath quality to increase functional outcomes to audiences worldwide. Jenice is also the co-creator of the Integrative Movement System where she helps individuals move beyond the pain that surgical procedures cause.

Claire Marie Miller is an NC state licensed and NCBTMB Board Certified massage therapist who has been a proud member of AMTA since 1982. Claire’s background in Radiology (1972-1979) set the stage for her vision of foot reflexology in a clearer, anatomically-based foot chart. In 1993, she developed and began certifying therapists in the Integrative Reflexology® method.

Linda Nordahl is a massage therapist who graduated from the Atlanta School of Massage with honors in 2016. She received a certificate of completion from NASM as a personal trainer and has advanced training in restorative sports techniques, even working with professional football players. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Holistic Health Sciences at the International Quantum University for Integrative Medicine in Honolulu, Hawaii. When Linda isn’t traveling as a TA for Cupping Canada, she sees clients in an office setting and has mobile corporate chair massage clients.

Deborah Outlaw has served as a health care consultant for over 20 years, providing federal legislative and regulatory services to numerous organizations with health care interests, including physician specialty groups, allied health providers, medical device manufacturers, safety net facility prescription drug providers, hospitals, and associations. She also spent more than 35 years in health and public policy arenas, serving in two Presidential Administrations and on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator.

Scott Raymond, LMT, BCTMB, RYT, is a continuing education provider who has been a licensed massage therapist since 1998. He was an entry-level educator and is an active volunteer whose practice blends diverse bodywork methods.

Martha Rinker is the Government Relations Policy and Research Analyst at AMTA. She has deep experience in both federal and state legislative and regulatory health policy with numerous national organizations, including the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, and the American Podiatric Medical Association. She also served as counsel to a State Senate Committee and Legislative Director to a Member of Congress.

Dr. George Russell is a New York City bodyworker/chiropractor who primarily focuses on anatomy, movement and spirituality. Dr. Russell has taught at the Swedish Institute, Kripalu, NYU, and Wesleyan University as well as many AMTA chapters.

Elizabeth Sanders is a Licensed Massage Therapist with 12 years of bodywork experience. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S. in Kinesiology and received her foundational massage training at Hawaii Healing Arts College, on the island of Oahu. Elizabeth holds certifications in Clinical Massage, Manual Lymph Drainage, and Complete Decongestive Therapy for the treatment of Lymphedema and is skilled in Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy.

Dr. Susan Sheahan is a clinician and educator in the field of airway dentistry. She focuses on collaboration amongst healthcare providers in order to increase awareness of the positive impact of myofunctional therapy on oral fascia restrictions.

James Specker serves as the Senior Director for the Government & Industry Relations Department at AMTA. Prior to AMTA, James was the Director of Federal and State Advocacy for the American Association of Diabetes Educators, working primarily on licensing/scope, and practice and provider recognition issues. James has also worked for the Illinois Action for Children, advocating for access to daycare and early childhood education for low-income families in the state of Illinois.

Ann Teachworth has been working in integrative health, human performance, and movement for 15 years. She is an educator for massage therapists and yoga instructors, and focuses on functional anatomy, kinesiology, and mind-body training.

Lynn Teachworth is certified in over 20 massage and complementary medicine techniques and has been in the profession since 1993. Lynn has also worked with many professional athletes to address injuries and physical/mental performance.

Becca Torns-Barker, MEd, BA, LMT, has dedicated nearly a a decade of her nineteen-year career to specializing in abdominal massage, studying various techniques within the field. She holds a Master's Degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education. Becca is also a continuing education provider for StrongHouse and has served as an adjunct professor in an Associate's Degree massage therapy program.

Pete Whitridge has been a licensed massage therapist since 1988. He is a founder and past President of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE) and has dedicated his career to helping establish high standards in massage therapy education. He teaches throughout the US and is a frequent speaker at FSMTA, AMTA, and FCA meetings and conventions. Pete served as Chair of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and has served on the Board's Probable Cause Committee since 2016.

Davonna Willis is a respected health and wellness practicioner, entrepreneur, and educator with over 20 years of expereince in the profession. She holds a Master’s Degree in Health Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training. As the Founder and CEO of 4 Nineteen Education & Training, Davonna is dedicated to elevating standards of care, offering nationally accredited continuing education for massage therapists and athletic trainers through NCBTMB and BOC. She also founded the Black Massage Therapist Conference, with its inaugural event held in October 2023.