History
The Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) was conceived at the first
national oncology massage convention, the Oncology Massage Healing Summit,
held in the spring of 2007. Over 150 therapists and 20 faculty
members attended
two days packed with lectures, workshops, and fellowship. One
participant summed up the weekend by saying, " I find I am a blood member of a tribe
I didn't know existed." (For a heartfelt review of the meeting in
Massage Today, click
here.)
Structure
The Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) is a non-profit corporation organized
in Maine. All donations and gifts to S4OM are tax deductible in
accordance with section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code
Our organizing documents are available on the
Document Resource page.
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Mission
Happiness is a not a destination, but the journey.
Dealing with cancer is both destination and journey.
Medicine focuses on the quality of the destination.
Oncology massage focuses on the quality of the journey.
Vision
The Society for Oncology Massage was founded to ease the journey through cancer
and beyond for patients, family members and caregivers.
Mission
S4OM is grounded in a philosophy of compassion and service. We are focused on
connecting cancer patients, their families and their caregivers with skilled
oncology massage therapists.
An oncology massage therapist is a massage therapist who, following
comprehensive training in general massage therapy, has completed additional
“post-graduate” training addressing the full spectrum of cancer-related
issues: the physical consequences of cancer, the side effects of various
treatments, the psycho-social and emotional consequences. Therapists
learn to adapt the extensive repertoire of standard massage therapy techniques
to work safely and effectively with people living with cancer.
Our programs are intended to:
1. make all people affected by cancer aware of the healing power of massage
and where it is available in their communities.
2. expand the availability of qualified oncology massage wherever cancer
patients live and are treated.
3. develop an educated, experienced and cooperative community of oncology
massage therapists.
4. establish, promote, and maintain an ethic of
care setting a high standard for the emerging field of oncology massage
therapy.
5. facilitate and encourage the specialized training of
oncology massage therapists.
6. educate the medical community, cancer patients and their caregivers as to
the extreme importance of proper training for oncology massage therapists.
7. provide a forum where oncology massage therapists can share the
special challenges and joys of their work.
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Members
May the work of your hands be a sign of gratitude and
reverence to the human condition. Mahatma
Gandhi
Membership in the Society for Oncology Massage is open to
everyone with an interest in improving the quality of the cancer journey.
The classes of membership are:
Professional Members
Professional Members are practicing massage therapists who have a
working knowledge of cancer, its effects on the body and how current medical
treatments can affect the patient. Based on that knowledge, they modify
standard massage practice to safely mitigate symptoms, improve mood and
restore energy.
Associate Members
Associate Members are working toward Professional Membership. They have have
met all requirements for full Professional Membership except an experiential
component.
Student Members
Student Members are currently in massage school or have
graduated but not yet completed a S4OM
recognized oncology massage training program.
Supporting Members
Supporting
Members are a diverse group who share the goal of supporting and promoting
oncology massage. This includes physicians, nurses, retired massage
therapists, cancer patients, their families and caregivers, and many others.
Organizational Members
Organizational Members include hospitals, schools, clinics, medical practices,
professional associations, foundations and other institutions concerned with
the wellbeing of cancer patients.
For information about joining, go to the
Join S4OM page.
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Officers & Directors
|
Bakke |
Muser
Cates |
Dwyer |
Hansen-Dix |
Harper |
Hopkins |
|
Lee |
MacDonald |
Robsahm |
VanEtten |
The Society is an all-volunteer, tax-deductible charitable
organization.
It is a labor of love
for its directors, officers and committee members.
You are welcome to join us in
this important effort.
Among the many talented people dedicated to the Association
are:
S4OM Directors (* Founding Director)
Lauren Muser Cates*,
CMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Arlington, VA
Linda A. Dwyer*, LMT, S4OM; Rochester, NY
Nicki
Hansen-Dix, CMT, CMLDT, S4OM; Grass Valley, CA
Mia Harper, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Annapolis, MD
Bruce A. Hopkins*, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Portland, ME
George Lee*, LMBT,
NCTMB, S4OM; Charlotte, NC
"Meg" Mary M. Robsahm*, LMP, NCTMB,
S4OM;
Everett ,WA
Gayle MacDonald*, MS, LMT, S4OM;
Portland, OR Director Emeritus
S4OM Officers for 2010-2011
President - "Meg" Mary M. Robsahm, LMP, NCTMB;
S4OM,
Everett ,WA
1st Vice President - Lauren Muser Cates, CMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Arlington, VA
2nd Vice President - George Lee, LMBT, NCTMB, S4OM; Charlotte, NC
Treasurer - Linda Dwyer, LMT,
, S4OM; Rochester, NY
Corporate Secretary - Bruce Hopkins, LMT, NCTMB,
S4OM;
Portland, ME
Recording Secretary - Nicki Hansen-Dix, CMT, CMLDT, S4OM; Grass
Valley, CA
Asst. Recording Secretary: Mia Harper, LMT, S4OM; Annapolis, MD
Accountant - Constance Bingham, CPA - Macdonald Page Schatz & Fletcher;
Portland, Me.
Attorney - Patricia Dunn, Esq. - Jensen Baird Gardner &
Henry; Portland, Maine
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Committees
(# denotes Chairperson)
Education Committee
#Nicki Hansen-Dix, CMT, CMLDT, S4OM; Grass Valley, CA
Mary Aguilera-Titus CMT, NCTMB: Silver Spring, MD
Cheryl Alderdice, LMT: Silver Spring, MD
Healing Summit 2010 Committee
#"Meg" Mary M. Robsahm, LMP, NCTMB, S4OM: Everett
,WA
Stacy Barden, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Woodstook, IL
Cindy Wright, LMBT, NCTMB, S4OM; Pittsboro, NC
Internet Committee
#Bruce A. Hopkins, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Portland, ME
-
Webmaster
Media Committee
#Jean Van Etten, LMT, S4OM; Rochester, NY
Membership Committee
#Mia Harper, LMT; Annapolis, MD
Stacy Barden, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Woodstook, IL
Cindy Wright, LMBT, NCTMB, S4OM; Pittsboro, NC
Newsletter Committee
#Lauren Muser Cates, CMT, NCTMB, S4OM; Arlington, VA
Anita C. Bakke, LMT, CLT, S4OM; Carefree/Cave Creek, AZ
-
Editor
Andrea Constand, CMT; Toronto, ON
Harriet Jahr-Philips, LMT, NCTMB, S4OM;
Princeton: NJ
Mary Lou Ross, LMT, NCTM, CNMT, MLDT, S4OM; Douglasville, GA
Ann Simmons, CMT, NCBTMB, S4OM; Aurora: CO
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