Massachusetts Massage Therapists

Comment

Comment by Kris Stecker on July 21, 2010 at 2:36pm

@Dawn: We are very serious about the responsibility we have to our students and graduates and there is nothing we can do about the quality at other schools. Running a good school requires attention to a lot of details. Unfortunately consumers don't always check all of their options or ask the right questions. Although accreditation is not perfect, it at least demonstrates that a school is attempting to conform to a review process to verify that it is a viable business. But if a consumer is not willing to pay the price of going to an accredited school, they are going to have to take responsibility for taking an additional risk. And even within accredited schools, program content and delivery vary widely so due diligence is required. Help to spread the word. The quality of the school is vitally important, not only while you are in school but after you graduate. A good school will teach you. A great school will support you in your job search and career development.

Comment by Dawn Williams on July 21, 2010 at 12:33pm

Thanks, Jessica, me too! lol

Comment by Jessica Weagle on July 21, 2010 at 11:41am

I am so glad it worked out for you in the end

Comment by Dawn Williams on July 21, 2010 at 11:37am

Hello, new to this site and wanted to join this group as I live here in MA. Am a graduate of the late John Winsolow Institute of MT that was recently shut down due to state compliance issues. What a mess! Long story short, a few of us that had completed our 800 hour program last December realized after we submitted our paperwork to the Board in January for licensure that we were denied. Up to that point, we had NO idea there was an issue at our school. Seems the school was sent offical notice in June of 2009 and continued to operate business as usual. Even our instructors were in the dark! We finally received our licenses after a six month wait. I'm just thankful that the Board ruled in our favor and granted us our licenses.

The take away message is for those of you who have schools of your own. The decisions you make in running your business affects everyone. Take those roles seriously as people are putting their trust in you to be above board to set the example.

Looking forward to participating here....til next time, happy massaging....

Comment by Timothy Starkey on July 21, 2010 at 8:56am

@ Jessica. Alexei and Kris are correct that being involved is important. Be aware that there are many establishments are not inspected yet but if a complaint is issued against an establishment that can trigger an inspection. Spa Tech has been represented at these meetings since the very beginning and we have encouraged all the other schools to get involved with minimal response other than Alexei. It is important to note that the public is generally not able to speak at the meetings but unless they go into executive session to talk about the legal, ethical or disciplinary issues of an individual.

Comment by Jessica Weagle on July 21, 2010 at 8:05am

I will pass the info along to Greg

Comment by Alexei Levine on July 21, 2010 at 7:56am

If any of the affected students or administrators at CMS would like help with this situation you can contact me at 413-529-2900. I have attended every Board meeting and am well versed in the new forms and requirements. It's important to know that there may be conflicts of interest at play here. Two of the four board members run schools or programs that compete for students with CMS, and a Board member is also an officer of COMTA, an accrediting agency. State law prohibits people from regulating or licensing their business competitors. The whole Board system appears to be a relic of an earlier, ethically primitive age. This is why the new Sheet Metal Board is being sued. There appears to be a cartel emerging in the Massage world. At our school we maintain a "war chest" of funds for legal fees to defend against any unjust actions by the Board, I hope CMS does the same.

Comment by Jessica Weagle on July 21, 2010 at 7:32am

I think I need to start going to meetings bc I am not all that pleased with out things are dealt with once you get you license. For example why have I not have not had an inspection of my office. And you know seedy places are getting away with being open bc of this

Comment by Kris Stecker on July 21, 2010 at 7:26am

In some professions it's possible to get a temporary permit while your application for licensure is processed. Whereas it's vitally important that the students need to start working as soon as possible so they don't lose their skills, it may be a good idea for the massage board to do a similar thing. Waiting 4 weeks or more for a license is very detrimental. Who is interested in joining me to present this to the board?

Comment by Kris Stecker on July 21, 2010 at 7:23am

Over the past year I contacted CMS, Accusage, Elizabeth Grady and others multilple times to try and get them to come to board meetings but they never did. Involvement is key. There are a lot of other schools such as Salter, Lincoln, Everest and a lot of community colleges and tech schools that offer programs as well and we never saw them at the meetings either. There may be a lot of unhappy students and the fall out is that when it shows up in the press, the perception may be that all massage schools are questionable. Keep your eyes open for articles and get involved in correcting them if you see them.

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