AMTA OR Spring/Summer Newsletter 2025
Contents:
- Editor’s note
- President’s note
- Education Chair’s Note and Events Update
- Government Relations Report
- Membership Report
Editor’s Note:
Happy Summer from the AMTA Oregon Chapter! It’s been a busy and successful Spring for our chapter, from our Annual Convention in Wilsonville, to helping craft new legislation to further protect our profession in Oregon.
In addition to notes from our President, Eduction Chair, Government Relations Chair, and Membership Chair, please enjoy photos from Wilsonville throughout the newsletter. We look forward to seeing and working with you.
Thanks for reading and being a part of AMTA OR,
Aaron Gustafson, AMTA OR Communications Chair and Delegate
President’s Note:
This spring we gathered over 200 Licensed Massage Therapists at the Oregon State Convention to reconnect, grow and share our passion for the work we do. When that many LMTs come together to learn, celebrate and support one another – it’s a win of the senses!
Rather than trying to speak to all the good works being done by education, government relations and others-I’ll leave that to our dedicated chairs. I want to use this space to touch on something I
have had on my heart for a long time: how we recognize each other.
Each year, AMTA national asks state chapter boards and other members to nominate individuals who have/are making a positive impact in the massage therapy profession. Long before I became president, I was aware that there must be incredible contributions being made by LMTs across our great state-often quietly, often without recognition. These are the people lifting others up, serving their communities and elevating our profession-with both intent to do so, but also not unknowing the impact they are having on others.
Now I’m a bit antiquated when it comes to social media and there’s likely a simple format to do this-But what if we had a way to gather those stories? The seemingly small, powerful acts that speak to who we are as a profession and community. What if members-or non-members-could share with these good works LMTs in Oregon are doing so that we could thank them, celebrate them, and carry those stories forward?
At this year’s convention, we took a moment to acknowledge the passing of long-standing AMTA-OR volunteer and chapter member Michael Dukart. It was a moment of reflection, and it reminded me that honoring loss is just as important as celebrating life. Our community is still relatively small, built on strong and lasting relationships and mutual support.
So here’s my ask: If you know of someone – a colleague, friend or neighbor to the LMT community who’s doing important things, or someone who’s passed on and should be remembered, let us know. Your input matters. My hope is that these stories might strengthen us and deepen our connections. Please reach out to us @ oregon@amtamassage.org
In Service,
Devery Broddie
President, AMTA Oregon Chapter
Education & Events Update:
-Wilsonville Convention Recap: Another sold out event (230+ attendees)! We’re planning next year for March or April 2026 and hope to accomodate even more folks.
Please save the Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2025, for our Travelling Education Event in Ashland. We will announce the details and open registration in early July. Stay tuned.
We look forward to you joining us,
Jamin Rak,
Education Chair
AMTA-OR Government Relations Report:
Good News!: Oregon House Bill 3819
The bill we lobbied for to help OBMT address illicit massage businesses (IMBs) has been signed into law by Governor Kotek. Please read our Lobbyist Cindy Robert’s Recap of the bill below.
We are proud to given testimony in legislative hearings to lobby for this bill we helped create with Representative Tran (OR House) and Senator Pham (OR Senate). We hope it will make an incremental difference to combat IMBs. However, law enforcement is the key. Unless Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies make sex and labor trafficking a priority, the good we do is on the margins. There is no simple solution.
Lobbyist Report: By Cindy Robert
AMTA OR Legislative Committee and Board of Director started meeting last fall on the issue of Illegal Massage Businesses, IMB’s). Often the venue for prostitution and sometime the hub for human trafficking, these IMBs also tarnish legitimate businesses and licensed professionals. Because of a lot of media attention to the plight, our group quickly grew to include representative from local law enforcement, local governments and legislators and their staff.
The result was HB 3819, Chief sponsored by Rep. Thuy Tran and Sen. Kathleen Taylor, which after amendments passed the House, the Senate and was signed by the Governor.
As you know, Oregon law regulates the practice of massage therapy through licensing requirements overseen by the State Board of Massage Therapists. To obtain a license, individuals must meet specified education and examination standards. Current law does not explicitly authorize the Board to issue temporary practice permits to individuals licensed in other states, territories, or countries. Existing statute classifies the unlicensed practice of massage as a Class A misdemeanor and limits penalties to $1,000 per violation. And currently the Board does not have explicit authority to post notices at massage facilities that are not in compliance with licensure laws, nor to impose penalties for unauthorized removal of such notices. Additionally, although Oregon law designates certain professions as mandatory reporters of child abuse, licensed massage therapists are not currently included.
House Bill 3819 A establishes a temporary practice permit process, increases the maximum civil penalty, expands the Board’s enforcement authority, and adds licensed massage therapists to the list of mandatory reporters.
- The measure authorizes the State Board of Massage Therapists to issue a temporary practice permit to individuals authorized to practice massage in another U.S. state, territory, or foreign country.
- Permits the holder of a temporary permit to practice in Oregon for up to 180 days in a calendar year.
- Increases the maximum civil penalty for violations from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Allows the Board to post a notice on massage facilities that violate licensure requirements and to impose penalties for unauthorized removal of such notice.
- Increases the criminal classification for a second offense of operating a massage facility without a license or violation of administrative rules from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class C felony. Adds licensed massage therapists to the list of mandatory reporters.
- Takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment sine die, with operative provisions beginning January 1, 2026.
AMTA Oregon wants to relay gratitude to the Rep. Tran and her staff who championed the bill from convening, to drafting, to amending to a passage. We are also incredibly grateful to our membership, many of whom wrote emails to the legislature providing testimony and support.
-Cindy Robert
More Good News: Gresham Council Bill 04-25: tabled.
Gresham City Council was about to pass an extremely restrictive special business license for massage facilities, specifically “to regulate the operation of massage businesses in order to address human trafficking and prostitution…”
The bill as written:
– Defamed the massage profession and damages our reputation by linking it to sex crimes.
– Does not treat massage businesses like other healthcare businesses.
– Attempts to regulate the practice of massage, which is OBMT’s job, not Gresham’s.
– Requires massage businesses to divulge employees’ private data and a copy of official ID to the city for no good reason.
– Requires massage businesses to turn over employees’ personal information and ID in violation of their civil and privacy rights.
– Was created without AMTA’s input.
Gresham Council had refused our request for a meeting to address our policy concerns. AMTA knows a lot about what works and what doesn’t with respect to local massage ordinances. AMTA can help Gresham do something constructive to combat IMBs which does not adversely impact us. We tried the polite route at the last meeting, and we were ignored. Council seemed bound and determined to pass the bill, ignoring the massage community’s input, so we showed up again this past Monday, June 16 and again tried to make our voices heard. This time there was success! The Council decided to table the ordinace and agreed to meet with us to help them craft effective legislation. We’re looking forward to participating.
AMTA OR Board member and Gresham business owner Danika Tkacik summed up the frustrating experience as an LMT who testified at the council meetings: “Despite all the excellent testimony from the LMT community, it didn’t seem to sway the Council members. It was ultimately the Council’s concern for their own reputation, that if passed, they would be associated with poorly written, precedent setting legislation, that likeley would be copied as a template by other cities that influenced them to table the measure.” The wheels of government turn in unexpexted ways, we are relieved that something influenced them, even if it wasn’t the logical, expert input they recieved from the Massage Therapists of Gresham.
Not so good news:
OBMT raised licensing fees from $200/biennium to $270/biennium. This was the first increase in 8 years, representing a 5% increase per year. As an independent licensing board, OBMT gets no money from the state. Its operations are solely funded from fees and fines. Nobody likes fee increases, but AMTA-OR supported the fee increase because it was necessary. OBMT has to pay its bills, and we are satisfied that the Board is operating in a fiscally responsible way. The increase will also their ability to enforce HB 3819 combating IMB’s.
Don Schiff, LMT #23463
AMTA-OR Government Relations Chair
Interested in getting involed with AMTA OR government relations? (503) 997-9869 , dfschiff@gmail.com
Membership Report & Elections Update:
2025 AMTA Oregon Chapter Election Results:
Sonja Yamin, Board Member, (2025-2027). Sonja is also a past Financial Administrator.
Leah Bowder, Financial Administrator, Board Member (2025-2027). Leah is also a past President.
Aaron Gustafson, Delegate (2025-2027). Aaron is also a past President and Delegate.
As of June 2025, The Oregon Chapter has 2,295 active members. Thanks for being a part of AMTA!
Welcome & Congratulations from AMTA Oregon!
We’re thrilled to welcome our newest AMTA Oregon members, including students and recent graduates who are just beginning their journey in the field of massage therapy. Whether you’re fresh from school or exploring the next phase of your career, we’re honored to support you and celebrate all you bring to our professional community!
Current Students:
Diana Alvarez, Jonathan Anders, Makenna Anderson, Benjamin Andraschko, Mary Artunyan, Auri Atlas, Tessa Ayers, Grace Banta, Mavis Barber, Francis Barnett, KeeAiren Barron, Robert Beanblossom, Alivia Bergmann, Andrea Bocci, Britney Brooks, Jordan Burros, Nicole Callison, Erica Campbell, Justin Cardinaletti, Meghan Cassens, Weston Cavender, Marisol Cervantes, Ashley Chesnutt, Thomas Clark, Patricia Cloud, Tazi Cobert, Abigail Cohen, Lise Colucci, Gabrielle Cook, Joshua Cordell, Angela Cosgrove, Timothy Couch, Rachel Craig, Marissa Creamer, Helen D., Eric Dean, Noelle Delacruz, Emma Dishner, Meggan Dodds, Acacia Don, Shaina Doyle, Rachel Dringman, Caleb Dugger, Eva Dugre, Hannah Eagon, Lea Evans, Leo Ewart, Emily Fensterman, Naomi Fischer, Emily Flores, Haley Francke, Ashley Frazier, Bryanna Gabaldon, Cassidy Geppert, Kaylen Gillispie, Heather Gordy, Meaghan Greene, Maxon Griffin, Jesse Grimmett, Kori Guntly, Jonathan Hakala, Cillian Hammaker, Carley Hansen, Jessica Hanson, Taylor Hanson, Forest Hart, Katy Hartman, Micah Hayes, Emilee Hays, Tabitha Henson, Madison Hermon, Alessondra Hernandez, Nicole Herold, Brigitt Hinkel, Tammi Hipps, Jenny Holliins, Kari Hunter, Stefanee Hurley, Daniel Hutchinson, Maressica Iconi, Daniska Jacinto, Alissa Jacoby, Marcella Jennings, Justin Johnson, Taylor Jones, Ashley Jordan, Evelyn Kent, Benjamin Knight, Christina Kokesh,MYelena Kolova, Sarah Koza, Dylan Kruse, Chela Kuhn-Martin, Megan Land, Connie Landers, Ashley Laux, Sarah Leclair, Weston Loan, Tatyana Lozko, Jennifer Macone, Sarah Magley, Karla Marsh, Yolanda Martinez, Genevieve Mauro, Masen McAllister, Navina McGee, Leann McKenna, Holly Mckenzie, Logan Meese, Liz Mendez, Citlaly Mendoza, Tansy Middag, Max Mikelson, Lyudmila Mikhel, Amos Miller, Hannah Miller, Pax Miller, Katie Montgomery, Tabitha Moore, Patrick Morlan, Susan Mulkey, Jenna Mumba, Isabelle Newton, Haley Nichols, Mykola Nikolaiev, Tonya Nunn, Milo Osswald, Jessica Oster, Grace Padilla, Joshua Palmer, Jeri Parell, Leslie Parisi, Valerie Parsons Williams, Elizabeth Patterson, Desiree Peterson, Nels Pierson, Amanda Piland, Isabela Pond, Chloe Post, Christopher Preti, Ash Provost, Caitriona Quirk, Juana Ramos Lorrera, Sophia Raterman, Madison Reeves, Rebecca Reynolds, Katelyn Riley, Crystal Roberts, Quasatia Robinson, Esther Roedel, Christina Rosche, Jayden Roth, Everett Rowan, Theo Rumley-Wells, Heidi Rusina, Staci Schwarz, Alexis Sheehan, Sarah Rose Sheppard, Lauren Shetterly, Evin Shordon, David Silverman, Joy Sims, Jul Sleigh, Taylor Smith-Bedsworth, Nicole Snow, Jackson Somerville, Amanda St. Clair, Julia Stacy, Ariel Stillwell, Sophia Stratten-Nystrom, Cassi Talbot, Michael Tenorio, Kelli Timson, Osvaldo Torres Torres, Stephanie Trask, Yu Chin Tsai, Crystal Tumale, Ariella Velasquez, Kami Wagoner, Shae Wallenstein, Tianna Weaver, Emily Weber, Rita Welch, Anna Westin, James Wilde, Caroline Williver, Flora Winters, Marelowe Wojciechowski, April Wolcott, Roomie Wood, ChloeJane Wright, Sadie Yudkin, Svitlana Zubchuk, Dex Zubrinich, Anastasia Zwaschka, Deanna Alt, Gillian Arnold, Jasmine Birkby, Hazel Black, Phoenix Bloom, Travis Brenner, BreAnna Brown, Isabella Colbert, Erin Rae Cook, Alexandra Cross, Simone Crowe, Jessica Curtright, Courtney Day, Alyssa Denny, Tess Fields, Kristen Gassner, Secilia Gonzalez, Andrea Gordon, Beck Hall, William Hough, Jacob Huggins, Emily Hyde, Jeff Kittinger, Mikyla Klajic, Derek Lent, Angel Lopez, Melyna Martinez, Cassidy Morse, Porsha Murdock, Eden Ogle, Madissen Ostergaard, Tembi Pennington, Natasha Pepperling, Angie Persell, Joleen Petersen, Avery Phelan, Andrew Pitman, Krista Rabbit, Trinity Riddell, Sarah Rimmey, Cody Romano, J’Leyne Rubbert, Cynthia Saylor, Olivia Shafer, Shayla Sims, John Test, Zoie Town, Graey Vincent, Wyatt Winterbottom, Nathaniel Lemke, Rebecca Medearis, Aracely Navarrete
Recent Graduates:
Jeff Abbott, Alyson Anderson, Maximus Baines, Cameron Barton, Tiara Benson, Misty Blackburn, Corey Blue, Rebecca Brown, Emily Bydalek, Justin Calderon, Lisa Calvin, Jennifer Christopher, Jaedon Churchill Dicks, Duncan Clark, Amanda Copeland, Amelia Corbett-Green, Kierionna Flowers, Amber Gannon, Filippe de Lima-Gomes, Coty Grogan, Noah Grunzweig, Elvira Grussenmeyer, Scott Hartzell, Ashley Hector, Casey Howard, Sabrina Ickes, Reem Jaber, Rose Jurcich, Loren Kasenberg, Liliana Katzman,, Ashley Kent, Kai Kline, Bailey Lamb, Susie Lapolla, Julie Lay, Teresa Lee, Corrine Lindsay, Austin Macpherson, Kenya Mickey, Cheryl Mojzer, Daysy Montero, Andrew Moore, Kevin Moore-Magee, Fu Tsan Morrison, Nora Murphy, Yulia Papleka, Tanisha Parker, Kelsey Pebly, Ryan Primm, Kristina Privitera, Daryen Randall, Kaelee Randall, Lori Raydo, Michelle, River Starfire, Lilly Russell, Emily Schmidt, Shana Schmidt, Mersades Secrest, Anne Snell, Zusie Umali, Claudia Villegas, Melanee Vodvarka, Elisabeth Walden, Aimee Williamson, Kitrina Wood-McCord, Rachel Wyatt, Linda Wynne, Qian Yang, Collete Zack, Nathan Banta, Noelle Beem, Shea Bell, Melissa Bilbrey, Bryanna Black, Julianne Bowman, Andrea Brown, Arya Brown, Johnathen Burkhart, Chance Calderhead, Elayna Caron, Riley Clark, Drew Collins, Dana Corder, Clara Cross, Ashley Cunha, Shalea Daniels, Elise Doan, Esther Dunn, Mel Ecker-Levy, Stephen Elorreaga, Alayah Emanuele, Tara Ford, Monique Franceschi, Victoria Fuqua, Marissa Grace, Vanessa Green, Jessica Hampton, Kayla Heitzman, Mianna Herson, Heavenly-Grace Hess, Kip Killpack, Michael Knight, Jenna Kohler, Margot Krehbiel, Suzanne Kussner, Rebecca LaFond, Nina Laurent, Samuel Lisieski, Geneva Mayall, Alexander McGee, Molly McKinney, Marissa McPhail, Andrew Miller, Mary Nida, Grace Parker, Kyzen Pemberton, Andrew Persoon, Bailey Pitts, Dean Powell, Jennifer Powers, Sarah Pryor, Meagan Ranes, Ronia Rhodes, Lily Sassone, Cat Schneider, Monica Silverman, Mark Springer, Nicole Swafford, Larissa Taoras, Jody Thomas, Delaney Walatka, April Wilkinson, Rachael Wilson, Brielle Worthing, Lisa Bennett, Angela Cook, Celeste Fasano, Briana Miler, Trent Price, Amber Schmidt, Ramon Silva, Kate Stokes, Mariah Sunday, Taylah Thomas, Jennifer Timmons, Abigail White
We also want to extend heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated massage therapists celebrating milestone anniversaries with AMTA this year. Your commitment to the profession is inspiring, and we thank you for the healing work you do every day.
Cheers to our long-standing members:
• 5 Years – Thank you for your growing dedication and impact in the field:
Shane Adair, Becca Akicita, Danielle Allen, Jason Alvaro, Heather Anderson, Lily Anderson, Hannah Bailey, Samantha Barnes, Jessica Baxter, Germana Beard, Haley Berry, Rebecca Biederman, Tammy Bones, Jeri Bonis, Shannon Boyles, Kenneth Brinson, Madalyn Britz, Muriel Capdepon, Johanna Carrillo, Sam Cole, Claire Cote, Lauren Craft, Laura Cumming, Kelly Davis, Chelsea Denien, Jessica Dion, Marian Wolfe Dixon, Irene Doerner, Jessica Figurski, Ashley Fitzgerald, Lynna Foster, Ashley Franklin, Melanie Ground, Julia Gunderson, Katrina Hackett, Karin Hammerquist, Alisha Harris, Jennifer Harvey-Smith, Dianne Hayes, Kimberly Hilborn, Paul Hogan, Blake Holloway, Jacqueline Horner, Danielle Howitt, Christopher Hupp, Tess Hustead, Chandra Imel, Clare Katner, Leah King, Ronnie Kloak, Catherine Knowles, Michael Kostin, Sung Li, Joshua Lohnes, Margaret Long, Brighton Loughlin, Aricka Lozano, Kassidy Mack, Alicia Markee, Bailey Martinez, Debie Mcadams, Kristen McFarland, Kaitlin McNeil, Melanie Mellis, Gina Merritt, Katie Miles, Daniela Miller, Nikona Mills, Shauna Myers, Jason Newman, Lydia Newton, Jennifer Nisly, Anna O’Connor, Alexander Packham, Katharine Pentz, Jesse Piel, Elizabeth Pike, Deborah (Debi) Rappaport, Sundi Reince, Jacob Richards, Anna Richter, Nikole Rizo, Heather Roberts, Jaci Roe, Danny Romero, Kevin Ryan, Aimee Schalles, Serena Schulz-Rodriguez, Jamie Shatney, Amy Smith, Daniel Smith, Borys Smolyansky, Kristen Sosnovske, Courtney Steen, Kenneth Stern, Chelsea Stewart, Katie Stimson, Veronica Sutherland, Desiree Swearingen, Kimberly Taylor, Chesley Tillberg, Caden Turek, Eric Van Leeuwen, Janet Weiser, Karen Weitz, Kaleb Welch, Tyler Wiest, Caleb Wilson, Alegra Wolff-Lynne, Karla Yanez.
• 10 Years – A decade of service, care, and professional growth – amazing!:
Josh Adams, Glendolyn Alex, Tricia Ayotte, Jeanne Brickley, Kirstin Card, Heather Carpenter, Sarah Clawson, Elizabeth Dimick, Pamela Escobar, Michael Friedman, Ariana Furrer, Lucas Gutgsell, Jocelynn Ham, Emily Hansen, Marie Hargraves, Jenna Hirning, Svetlana Hoppe, Janay Jenniches, Kyla Keller, Tiffany Korf, Ashley Krieger, Elizabeth Larson-Stemke, Terri McDonald, Roya Mehregani, Duanea Myers, Asheley Nagle, Justin Oliphant, Omolara Opeifa, Justine Osborn, Theresa Peranich, Jesse Robinson, Elizabeth Ryan, Josephine Shariff, Zara Sluys, Gerardo Sosa, Scott Taylor, Maren Uecker, Garde Wells, Tammie Wilson
• 20 Years – Your continued excellence and leadership shine bright:
Nan Arnold, Gail Bailey, Elizabeth Cozza, Anne Dryad, Carol Gray, Brenda Johns, Jessica King, Nadine King, Rachael Meador, Brian Moyer, Frances Rodriguez, Lynette Ruppert, Amber Sloan, Angela Truong, Joanna Volkoff, Larry Wolfe, Michael Yas
• 30 Years – Three decades of dedication – what a legacy!:
Sylvia Burns, Diane Foster, Marie Gilson, Willow Hall, Nancy Huebsch, Kate Johnson, Jill Nave, Samantha Pridgen, Merrily Wilson
• 40+ Years – A truly extraordinary milestone. Thank you for paving the way for generations of therapists to come:
Douglas Kinnaird, Raymond Siderius, Ruth Wise, Diana Moore
To all of you—newcomers and veterans alike—welcome, and thank you for being a vital part of AMTA Oregon.
Danika Tkacik,
Board Member, Membership Comittee Chair
Get to know and get in touch with your Oregon Board members by clicking here.
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