Faculty - Tucson
Deeply committed to the healing power of touch¸ our teachers bring their real world experience to the classroom. As successful massage therapy professionals¸ they represent a variety of approaches¸ settings¸ and backgrounds. They all share a passion for teaching and a commitment to the highest standards.
Tonya Aiossa
Licensed Massage Therapist, Cortiva-Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 2006. Practitioner Training in progress in the Feldenkrais Method. Tonya teaches Massage Foundations; Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology; and Musculoskeletal Anatomy & Kinesiology in our Professional Massage Therapy Program. She has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
Wayne Blankenship
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 2003. MA, English, University of Missouri, Columbia. Wayne teaches Professional Ethics & Communication in our Professional Massage Therapy Program. He currently practices at Miraval Life in Balance Resort, and has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
David Blum
Licensed Massage Therapist, Cortiva Institute - Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 2007. Physical Therapy Assistant, 1980-2007. David wrote and teaches an Advanced Manual Therapy continuing education course, and teaches continuing education courses in myofascial release, muscle energy technique & joint mobilization. David also teaches Clinic Foundations and Myofascial Techniques in our Professional Massage Therapy Program, and Career Decisions in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program. He has a private practice and a weekly radio show in Tucson, Arizona.
Ginger Castle
Licensed Massage Therapist, Seattle Massage Therapy School, 1992. Member, CWIC. Certified Red Cross Instructor and HIV/AIDS educator, WA. Former Program Instructor at the Renton Technical College Massage Therapy Practitioner Program (Ashmead College). Ginger teaches Neuromuscular Techniques & Sports Massage, Clinical Integration: Assessment & Techniques, and Clinical Reasoning & Research Literacy in our Professional Massage Therapy Program, and Injury Management and Research Applications in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program. Ginger also writes and teaches many continuing education courses. She has a private practice in Northwest Tucson, Arizona.
Lori Cole
Lori holds a Master's degree in Physiological Science from the University of Arizona, and teaches Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology in our Professional Massage Therapy Program.
Jean'e Freeman
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 2004. National Certification, NCBTMB. Certified Fitness Trainer, International Sports Sciences Association. Biomechanics Specialist, NESTA. Jean'e has been involved in the health & fitness industry for over 20 years. Jean'e teaches Mechanics & Strokes, Population Spectrum, Clinical Reasoning & Research Literacy, and Musculoskeletal Anatomy & Kinesiology in our Professional Massage Therapy Program, and Introduction to Structural Bodywork in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program. She also teaches many continuing education courses. She has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
Julie Goodwin
BA from Kent State University, 1971; Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 1988. Julie is a long-time instructor at Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, Providence Institute, and Cortiva Institute; she is also on the faculty of the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. A Past-President of the Arizona Chapter of AMTA, Julie received their Meritorious Service Award in 1991. She is the author of Touch & Movement: Palpation and Kinesiology for Massage Therapists, published by Cengage Learning . Julie currently teaches Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology in our Professional Massage Therapy Program and a variety of Continuing Education classes.
Patricia Holland
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 1993. MA, Counseling, University of Phoenix, 1999. BS, Speech Communications, Illinois State University , 1982. Patricia is Cortiva Institute Tucson's Dean of Students. She teaches Clinic Foundations, Massage Foundations, and Professional Ethics & Communication in our Professional Massage Therapy Program, as well as many continuing education courses. Patricia has published a book on Chair Massage, and has a chair massage business and private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
Eric Mackey
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 2004. Bachelor of Arts, Art History, Macalester College, 1991. Eric teaches Neuromuscular Therapies and Sports Massage, as well as Myofascial Techniques and Assessments in our Professional Massage Therapy Program. Eric’s private practice, Sonoran Athletic Therapies, provides Sports Massage and Sports Injury Management to amateur, collegiate, and professional athletes. As co-owner and one of the lead trainers at Wildcat CrossFit, he is a certified CrossFit L1 Trainer, and CrossFit certified in Olympic Weightlifting and Mobility & Recovery. He is the author of Sports Massage: Methodology-Direction-Application and co-author of Palpation and Kinesiology: An Integrated Approach for Bodyworkers, forthcoming from F.A. Davis Publishing in Philadelphia.
Tomi Murphey
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 1991. Licensed Esthetician, Tucson College of Beauty, 2006, Pima Community College, 1978. National Certification, NCBTMB. Tomi teaches the Hydrotherapy section of the Complimentary Therapies course in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program. She has a teaching background of over 16 years. In her private practice, Tomi specializes in Aquatic Massage, Thermal Stone Techniques, and Cupping (negative pressure massage).
Kris Schaefer
Certified Massage Therapist, Chicago School of Massage Therapy, 1987. Modern Dance Major, Barat College, 1983-1985. Instructor in Residence, Himalyan Institute of Yoga Science & Philosophy, Glenview Illinois, 1987-1990. Kris teaches the Asian Modalities section of the Complimentary Therapies course in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program, and an Introduction to Shiatsu in our Continuing Education program. She has been the lead technique instructor and program coordinator in shiatsu training programs for The Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, The Providence Institute, and Asian Institute of Medical Studies; and has guest taught for body therapy staff at Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa & Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kris tutors in shiatsu at all levels of learning and has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
Melodee Stumpf
Licensed Massage Therapist, Milwaukee School of Massage Therapy,1985. Certified Aquatic Massage Therapist, 2009. Melodee is Cortiva Institute Tucson’s Massage Therapy Center Manager. She inspires, coaches, mentors, and teaches students working with the public in our student clinic. Melodee is a practitioner of diverse modalities that assist and support wellbeing, including craniosacral therapy. She has a private practice in Tucson, Arizona.
Laura Yates
Licensed Massage Therapist, Desert Institute of the Healing Arts, 1992. Laura has many years of clinical experience and maintains a private practice. She includes the healing techniques of I am energy, I am discipline, into her life. She teaches Mechanics & Strokes in our Professional Massage Therapy Program, and the Stones Massage section of the Complimentary Therapies course in our Extended Professional Massage Therapy Program.
