Rhiannon Lewis & Fiona Murphy: Aromatic approaches to Integrative Oncology Skin Health

Rhiannon Lewis, Clinical Aromatherapist, Director of Essential Oil Resource Consultants

Rhiannon is an experienced clinical aromatherapist and educator with a special interest in oncology and palliative care. Her experience spans 35 years. Organizer of international seminars and conferences, Rhiannon is former editor of the International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy and has been hosting the International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN) since 2021. Her company, Essential Oil Resource Consultants is based in France and is dedicated to providing education, information and research in the field of essential oils.

Fiona Murphy

Fiona Murphy is a pioneering figure in the field of oncology skincare, renowned for her dedication to improving the lives of those undergoing cancer treatment. As the founder of Sparkle Through Chemo, the UK’s first oncology skincare clinic, Fiona has revolutionised the way patients receive specialised skincare support during and after their treatment. She is also the first oncology skincare specialist to work within a UK hospital setting, marking a significant milestone in integrative cancer care.

As a multi-award-winning specialist and educator, Fiona is not only transforming patient experiences but also shaping the future of oncology skincare. Through training programs, workshops, and collaborations with medical professionals, she is committed to raising awareness about the importance of specialized skincare in oncology settings. Her work has set a new benchmark in the industry, bridging the gap between medical care and skincare to enhance the overall well-being of cancer patients.

Course Description:

This engaging session with Fiona and Rhiannon provides insights into skin and nail toxicities experienced by patients and the potential benefits of a range of aromatic strategies. Essential oils and related natural bases such as vegetable oils, hydrolats and Aloe vera play a role in both prevention and treatment of skin toxicities as well as promoting skin integrity in maintenance care.

This 60-minute session combines evidence-base with practitioner experience to provide pragmatic guidance and encourage further education in the effective and rewarding specialty of oncology skin care. Rhiannon will begin the session with an evidence-based overview of the roles of essential oils and related bases, considering their key benefits in oncology skin care. Fiona will then share her extensive experience in the management of a range of specific skin toxicities that she encounters on a daily basis in her clinical practice.

Carolyn Tague: What's different about massage in a hospital?

Carolyn Tague Ma, CAMTC, Education Provider, Author

Carolyn has been a hospital-based massage therapist and educator since 2006. She in the manager and lead instructor for a yearlong fellowship program at the Stad Center | UCSF in San Francisco. In addition to her work there, Carolyn maintains small business providing consulting and education for massage therapists and healthcare organizations. She is a board member of the Association of Massage Therapists in Healthcare, and she serves on the S4OM Educators Forum subcommittee.

Course Description:

This presentation will describe inpatient and outpatient massage therapy practices as well as a brief survey the various healthcare organizations that may offer massage therapy to patients. Oncology patients will be a primary focus, but other medical conditions that are particularly well served by massage therapy will be discussed. Employment opportunities, educational recommendations and general competencies for hospital-based massage therapy work will be introduced.

Elizabeth Soto: Understanding the Lymphatic System – Best Practices for High-Risk Clients

Elizabeth Soto, LMT, BCTMB, CLT

Elizabeth is a massage therapist and certified lymphedema therapist with experience in both private practice and hospital settings in Central Pennsylvania.  Having dual degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and years of business consulting experience from her first career, Elizabeth brings a unique, analytical yet deeply human-centered approach to her work.  She believes strongly in collaborating with primary care providers, pain management specialists, and rehabilitation therapists to support patient care while offering safe, evidence-informed and trauma-informed services. In her private practice, she focuses on clients with complex medical conditions, post-surgical recovery needs, chronic pain conditions and conditions that put them at high risk for lymphedema.  Her services include pain management, oncology massage, scar tissue management, perinatal care and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD).  Elizabeth is dedicated to advancing patient care through skilled, compassionate touch and a commitment to clinical best practices.  Her approach prioritizes patient education, informed consent, and individualized treatment planning. 

She is a Board Member of the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) and a Preferred Provider for the National Lymphedema Network and also Unite 4 Her. 

Course Description:

This course is intended for licensed estheticians, massage therapists, and wellness professionals who wish to deepen their understanding of the lymphatic system and provide safer, more effective care for clients with compromised lymphatic function.

Shannon McKnight: Therapy for Bone Marrow Transplant Patients - Supporting Healing & Comfort Through Touch

Shannon McKnight MS, LMT, BCTMB

Shannon has been a licensed massage therapist in Ohio for nearly 17 years and has worked in hospital-based and oncology massage since 2021. Prior to working in massage therapy, she worked as an addiction counselor, which has given Shannon the desire to approach all of her massage clients through a trauma informed lens. She prides herself in meeting all patients where they are and believes her genuine therapeutic presence is one of the most valuable gifts she can offer her clients. Her present-day work is exclusively in oncology massage, working in outpatient infusion and with bone marrow transplant patients.

Course Description

In this session you will learn to define the different types of bone marrow transplants, associated complications, and how massage and esthetics can play a supportive role in improving the quality of life of individuals before, during, and after their bone marrow transplant.