Foundational Insights

Learn more about the rich history of the Massage Therapy Foundation as MTF Past President Doug Nelson interviews leaders who have made a significant impact on MTF*. Exploring Foundational Insights is a great introductory experience for those who wish to volunteer at the Foundation and would like to learn more.


A Walk Back in Time with John Balletto:

Journey back to the late 1980s with John Balletto, BSc, LMT, CKTP, and learn how a sudden explosion of interest in therapeutic massage and subsequent increase in demand for qualified therapists helped lay the groundwork for a charitable foundation for the massage therapy profession:

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Where the Path May Lead with Jerrilyn Cambron:

Hear from Jerrilyn Cambron, LMT, DC, MPH, PhD, as she reflects on how applying for an MTF Research Grant, as a researcher in the Chiropractic field, led her to pursue massage therapy education and ultimately become a Trustee, Committee member, and Past President of MTF:

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The Start of IJTMB with Glenn Hymel:

How did the massage therapy profession come to have a free, open-access, peer-reviewed journal of its very own? Glenn Hymel, Ed.D, LMT recounts the impetus for MTF’s founding of The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB).


A Unique Mission with Sharon Marden Johnson:

What should a Foundation be? What should a Foundation do? Sharon Marden Johnson, LMT, NCTMB, describes the fascinating history of how MTF  honed in on the core principles of its mission.

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Defining Research Goals with Janet Kahn

Janet Kahn, Phd, talks about the creation of the first Research Agenda for the massage therapy profession, how to bring research into entry-level curriculum, and about the importance of diverse choices in training for massage therapists.


*The views and opinions expressed in these interviews are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Massage Therapy Foundation.