Instructors

 

Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT, is the author of Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People with Cancer, (3rd Ed.) (2014, Findhorn Press) and Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client (2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkin). I first began working with and massaging oncology patients at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon. Since 1994 I have taught and supervised massage therapists on the oncology medical/surgical in-patient units, in the chemo infusion clinics, radiation oncology, apheresis and the bone marrow transplant unit. It has been my incredible good fortune to share and exchange knowledge with therapists around the United States, Scotland, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, and Holland. I am a founding member of the Society for Oncology Massage and the Iris Cancer Partnership in Scotland, as well as being the creator of the Oncology Massage Healing Summit and Oncology Massage Education Associates. The creation of and involvement with communities is one of the things that makes my heart sing. The other deep desire is the support of therapists and teachers in finding their work in the world. Contact Gayle at: medhands825@gmail.com

 

Mary Aguilera-Titus, LMT, BA, LMT, BCTMB. Since 2022, Mary has been a licensed massage therapist in both DC and MD and nationally certified by NCBTMB. Knowing that skilled touch can be a powerful support to people impacted by a diagnosis of cancer, Mary has focused much of her work in the field of oncology massage. From 2009-2019, Mary was part of the interdisciplinary team of the Palliative Care Service at Suburban Hospital, providing massage therapy and skilled touch to inpatients. She also served as Lead Massage Therapist with the Integrative Medicine Service at Sibley Memorial Hospital until April 2020, working collaboratively with other health care providers to optimize health and wellness for patients in the outpatient setting. Mary was an instructor with Oncology Massage Education Associates, from 2015 – 2022, where she taught oncology massage therapy to other massage therapists. Starting in 2023 she expanded her business, Full Circle Health and Wellness LLC, to include educational opportunities. Her clinical practice in Bethesda, MD includes providing support to a wide variety of clients, including those wanting oncology massage therapy and manual lymph drainage (MLD). Mary is a charter member of the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) and serves as chair of the Education Committee. Contact Mary at: fullcircle.mat@gmail.com

 

 

Annette Lovett, RSCN (Ireland & U.K), LMT, CMLDT, received her pediatric nursing degree in Ireland in 1987. She worked in Dublin briefly before moving to London where her work was focused in pediatric intensive care.  Annette gained her massage license in 2011 and maintains a small private practice in Portland with a focus on oncology massage and chronic illness. A graduate of the Peregrine Institute of Oncology Massage Training, she works part-time at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, providing massage to in-patients on the bone marrow transplant unit and the med/surgical oncology floor. Annette teaches Massage for the Chemotherapy Infusion Patient and is co-teacher, with Gayle MacDonald, of Massage in the Oncology Setting. For the last five years, she has assisted Gayle in the U.S and Ireland with Massage for People Living with Cancer. Contact Annette at: annettelovett.lmt@gmail.com

 

Cheryl Smith, LMT, has been practicing therapeutic massage in Cincinnati, Ohio since 2007.   Her own experience with cancer led her to dedicate her career to working with individuals with cancer.  Her private practice offers comfort-oriented massage, Manual Lymph Drainage and Eastern Massage work.  Cheryl started the oncology massage program at The Christ Hospital Cancer Center in 2010. It includes hand and foot massage for patients during their chemotherapy infusions and for oncology inpatients.  She was co-investigator and LMT for three IRB research studies on massage therapy and oncology patients in both the outpatient and inpatient setting.  She has also co-authored a research manuscript that will be published in 2015.  She graduated from the Peregrine Institute of Oncology Massage Training in November 2013 with a certification in oncology massage.  Prior to becoming a massage therapist Cheryl worked as a broadcast producer in advertising and direct marketing. Contact Cheryl at: cherylsmith.massage@gmail.com