The Boston Medical Center (BMC) Department of Family Medicine has partnered with Cortiva Institute of Boston to offer clinical oncology massage training, as well as free massage to patients. Cortiva Institute-Boston is offering the 50-hour Hospital-Based Oncology Massage continuing education program for licensed massage therapists at BMC. As part of the training program, oncology patients receive free massage at BMC during their treatment, while massage therapist participants develop expertise in this specialized area of medical massage.

 

Dianne Polseno, president of Cortiva Institute-Boston, calls the program a win-win situation. “Massage has a definite place in cancer treatment, and many professional therapists want to know how to effectively work in hospitals and with oncology patients,” she says. “We are honored to partner with BMC in this exciting endeavor.”

 

The 15-week program requires one 3.5-hour class per week for participating therapists that receive continuing education credits. Tuition is $1,000 and space is limited. The next round of classes starts in September.