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THIS ISSUE:
90th
Anniversary
Swedish Institute on-line newsletter for our students, faculty and community.
After sending out invitations to our first Alumni Reunion (see image above) we started to get RSVPs as well as stories. In the order they were received, here are messages from:
Dan Russo, LMT ('05) Having fun in Madison, WI, working and in a master's program.
Deborah Tuthill, LMT ('89) Expresses gratitude for her training because of the volunteer contribution it enabled her to provide after September 11, 2001.
Michele Rosenblatt, LMT ('96) Owner of a wellness center on Long Island and working with people with cancer in a hospital setting.
Riva Naimark, LMT, NCTMB ('00) Has been volunteering at the Gay Men's Health Crisis center since she graduated, and is ready to rebuild a private practice after the happy addition to her family of baby Samuel!
Kristina Koebel, LMT ('88) Has worked in many venues and now focuses on lymphatic therapy and a research project at a wellness center in NYC.
Thomas Navarro , LMT ('53) Still active in massage therapy, Thomas Navarro from the class of 1953 has no plans to retire any time soon.
* * * * *
Currently, I am the only massage therapist working at a personal training studio here in Madison. I am focusing on a combination of shiatsu, myofascial release, and trigger point massage. At the same time, I am in a master's program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, working on a degree in physical therapy. And most of all, I'm having fun doing both!
* * *
From Deborah Tuthill, LMT ('89)
After my graduation from the massage program, I stated a private practice with referrals from a physical therapist for whom I had worked. I have worked with many interesting people over the years; dancers, actors, seniors and youngsters. But the highlight of my career was right after Sept 11,2001. I had been at my daughter's wedding in California, and as soon as I was finally able to return I started to volunteer my help as a massage therapist.
I began by going to individual firehouses in N.Y.C. I then found out about St. Paul's Chapel, which is
just two blocks from the attack and devastation. This chapel was up and running 24/7 to supply volunteer
rescue and recovery workers with supplies, hot food, extra clothing, beds, chiropractic, massage and of
course, spiritual counseling.
I worked there from November 2001 to June 2002. I worked with and on people from all over the United
States and the world; firemen, policemen and policewomen, ironworkers, sanitation men, government workers
and volunteers. We were all in it together. I was so proud to be an American and to have the skills that
enabled me to contribute to the well being of these brave people. As a plaque on a firehouse wall
read, "They came to fight a fire and ended up fighting a war."
With unending thanks to the Swedish Institute for the invaluable training I received.
* * *
From Michele Rosenblatt, LMT ('96)
My choice of career as a massage therapist was and is life changing. It started about 13 years ago when I
read an article in the NY Times about massage therapists going to hospitals to massage patients who were
in bed for a long time and the complications that can occur. This was of great interest to me because as a
young person I was very ill and spent over 2 months in a bed and had a pulmonary embolism. So I thought
to myself if I had someone coming in and just massaging my legs this may have never happened. And I
thought I would really enjoy doing this work and could relate to people who are sick and in pain. I
decided to study massage therapy.
I graduated in April of 1996 and have worked as a therapist ever since. I now have my own wellness center
on the south shore of Long Island. My clients are like family and I have created the atmosphere I always
envisioned. I also work with an organization on Long Island, Breast Cancer Help Inc., for which my staff
and myself provide reflexology, chair massage and guided meditation to people with cancer, as well as
those in remission.
Two years ago, we started out in a little room in a senior center, and now South Side Hospital in
Bayshore, Long Island has provided us with the use of their rehab center. We have private rooms with a
warm, cozy atmosphere for these patients.
My dreams and visions have taken time, but they have all come true, and I'm sure there are more to come
and do. I thank the Swedish Institute for my great education and training. I was well prepared for my
career as a massage therapist. I feel extremely blessed with the people I have met and treated over the
years and I look forward to the future.
* * *
From Riva Naimark, LMT, NCTMB ('00)
For nearly six years I have been a volunteer at the Gay Men's Health Crisis. To commemorate the 25th year
of HIV/AIDS, they were asked to profile a volunteer in a publication that gets sent to agencies that
supervise volunteers. And they have chosen me for their profile.
Currently, besides GMHC, I see a few private clients. I am slowly rebuilding my private practice, from
which I took a break after the birth of my son, Samuel, in 2005. He is a wonderful and happy boy.
As he is now getting older, I am ready to get back to work.
Hope you are well and I am looking forward to the upcoming reunion.
* * *
From Kristina Koebel, LMT ('88)
Since graduating from the massage program, I have worked in spas, medical offices, health clubs and
wellness centers here in NYC and the South Florida area. I am now doing lymphatic drainage therapy with
an FDA approved instrument called the Lymphstar Pro. (Please check out www.inexternalwellness.com
for more information on it.)
I lost my mother to cancer 3 years ago and started with this therapy in her name and memory. I was just
hired by the Olive Leaf Wholeness Center and will be working with Dr. Kokayi, a graduate of Yale, as
well as an acupuncturist and herbalist. He has a research grant to work with 9/11 police and firemen,
with whom I will also be working, in order to provide detoxification for them through the lymphatic
therapy. Very exciting for me!
* * *
From Thomas Navarro, LMT ('96)
(via phone message)
I have been working as a massage therapist since I graduated in 1953 and I've been enjoying my career
ever since. I was happy to get the post card about the reunion, because it brought back fond memories of
my time at the school. I remember the director at the time, Lillian Phillips, very well.
I did my clinical internship at St. Claire's Hospital, and also at Pilgrim State Hospital's physiotherapy
department. I'm very happy that I attended the Swedish Institute, and am honored to be one of its
graduates. I'm now 64, still active in massage (currently working at the New York Athletic Club in
Manhattan) and hope to keep on going!
* * *