We celebrate the accomplishments of AMTA national groups and individuals whose enthusiasm and leadership have earned high recognition by bestowing a series of national awards. Select from the list below to learn more about them and download a nomination form.
Nominations are now open for 2023. Submissions due April 3rd.
Selected by Nomination
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Purpose
- To openly honor an AMTA Member who has achieved exceptional accomplishments at the chapter and/or national level in government relations activities
- To acknowledge and promote achievement(s) deserving of said recognition
History
- Award established in 1996
- Award is selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- There may be more than one (1) recipient in a given year
- Recipient(s) name(s) are engraved on a plaque at the National Office
Qualifications
- Recipient has been an active member of AMTA for at least one (1) year
- Recipient(s) have participated at the National and/or Chapter level in government relations
- Recipient(s) shall not have received this award in the previous year
- Recommended by the Awards Committee
- Approved by the Executive Committee and/or National Board of Directors
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Purpose
- To openly honor recipient(s) who is an AMTA member
- To acknowledge the “heart” of massage in action
History
- Award established in 1996
- Award is selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- There may be more than one (1) recipient in a given year
- Recipient(s) name(s) are engraved on a plaque at the National Office
Qualifications
- Active AMTA member for at least one (1) year
- In good standing at the time of award consideration
- Volunteer work, which may or may not include massage, done in the larger community. Including but not limited to: charity, church, supporting the arts, working with children, disabled, needy, sick, homeless, elderly, community outreach to populations for who massage is otherwise difficult to obtain; fundraising for same, consciousness raising, relief efforts
- Recipient shall not have received this award in the previous year
- Recommended by the Awards Committee
- Approved by the Executive Committee and/or National Board of Directors
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Purpose
- To openly honor an AMTA member
- To acknowledge diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner
History
- Award established in 1969
- Award has been selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- There may be more than one (1) recipient in a given year
Qualifications
- Active member in AMTA for at least one (1) year
- Only one (1) nominee from each chapter can be a recipient
- Volunteerism at the National level
- Recipient shall not have received this award in the previous year
- Chapter Meritorious Award recipient for one of the past three years
- More than one recipient may be chosen from different Chapters
- Recommended by the Awards Committee
- Approved by the Executive Committee and/or National Board of Directors
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Purpose
- To openly honor an AMTA member
- To acknowledge accomplishments in the area of sports massage
History
- Award established in 1996
- Award is selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- Recipient(s) name(s) are engraved on a plaque at the National Office
Qualifications
- Recipient must be an AMTA member for at least one (1) year
- Recipient accomplishment(s) exceed expectations
- Recipient display cooperation and team play on team
- In good standing at the time of award consideration
- May include but is not limited to accomplishments that enhance the visibility, prestige and acceptance of sports massage and sports massage therapists to the general public and the other components of the sports community
- There may be no more than one (1) recipient selected per year
- Recipient may receive only one national individual award in any given year
- Recipient shall not have recieved this award in the previous year
- Recommended by the Awards Committee
- Approved by the Executive Committee and/or National Board of Directors
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AMTA is excited to announce a new award in its inaugural year: the New Volunteer of the Year Award.
AMTA wants to honor and recognize new volunteers along with their dedication to their chapters. Chapters can nominate one volunteer who has been a member for at least two years and volunteered with the chapter for at least one year.
Please review the nomination form for further details. AMTA looks forward to your chapter’s nomination!
Purpose
- The AMTA New Volunteer of the Year Award will honor and recognize an emerging volunteer in the American Massage Therapy Association
History and Applicable Information
- 2022 is the first year this award will be presented
- Recipient will be honored at annual convention
- Chapters may award a chapter-level winner, who is the ensuing chapter nominee
Qualifications
- Nominee must be an AMTA member in good standing
- Nominee must be an AMTA member for at least two years
- Nominee must have volunteered with the chapter in an elected or appointed position (board member, committee member, etc.) for at least one year but no more than three years
- Each chapter may only nominate one volunteer each year
- Previous winners are ineligible
- Recommended by the Awards Committee
- Approved by the Executive Committee and/or National Board of Directors
Selected by the AMTA National President or the Executive Committee
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Certificate of Appreciation
Selected by National President
Purpose
- To openly honor recipient(s) who have contributed to the massage profession
- To acknowledge diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner
- To acknowledge someone who has bridged the gap between AMTA and/or massage and other associations and/or professions
History
- The Certificate of Appreciation Award was founded in 1996
- Has been given on an as needed basis since that time
- There has been more than one (1) recipient in a given year
- Recipient(s) name(s) are kept with staff, Awards Chair or assignee
Qualifications
- Recipient(s) do not need to be AMTA members or massage therapists
- Recipient(s) are to have contributed to enrich the lives of others and promote the awareness of massage, which may or may not include massage
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Distinguished Service
Selected by National President
Purpose
- To openly honor recipient(s) who have contributed to the massage profession in an outstanding manner
- To acknowledge diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner
- To enable the President and the Executive Committee to give an award to (a) recipient(s) who seem(s) worthy
- This award is selected by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee
History
- The National Distinguished Service Award was founded in 1981
- Award has been selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- Recipient(s) name(s) are engraved on a plaque at the National Office
Qualifications
- Recipient must be a member of AMTA and a massage therapist
- There may not be more than one (1) recipient selected in any given year
- Recipient must contribute to the massage profession in outstanding manner
- Recipient shall not have received this award in the previous year
- Recipient may receive only one national individual award in any given year
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Becky Schwoebel Making a Difference Award
Selected by National President
Purpose
- To honor an outstanding long-time volunteer who passionately shares their skills and talents in assisting AMTA to fulfill its mission in supporting the members, while promoting the art, science and practice of massage.
- To enable the President and the Executive Committee to give an award to a recipient who is worthy
- This award is selected by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee
History
- The Becky Schwoebel Making a Difference Award was founded in 2020
- Becky Schwoebel was a long-time volunteer and friend to AMTA who left behind a legacy of integrity, professionalism, leadership, volunteer service, and an unquestionable commitment to the members of AMTA and our profession. The contributions Becky made to AMTA during her years of volunteer service demonstrated her forward thinking and common sense approach, which led to positive change and innovation. Her quick and ready smile and vibrant sense of teamwork embodied the true spirt of volunteerism. Through this award, the deep roots of Becky’s contributions will continue to bring benefits to AMTA and the massage therapy profession for years to come.
Qualifications
- Recipient must be a member of AMTA
- There may not be more than one (1) recipient selected in any given year
- Recipient must embody the spirit of volunteerism
- Recipient shall not have received this award in the previous year
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President's Award
Selected by National President
Purpose
- To openly honor recipient(s) who have contributed to the massage profession in an outstanding manner
- To enable the President to give an award to (a) recipient(s) who seem(s) worthy
- This award is selected by the President
History
- The President’s Award for Chapters founded in 1988
- Award has been selected and kept unannounced until time of presentation
- Recipient(s) name(s) are engraved on a plaque at the National Office
Qualifications
- The recipient does not have to be member of AMTA or a massage therapist
- There may be no more than one (1) recipient selected in any given year
- Recipient(s) must contribute to the massage profession in outstanding manner
- Recipient(s) shall not have received this award in the previous year
- Recipient may receive only one National individual award in any given year.
Past Award Recipients
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2022 Kathy Paholsky, MI
2021 Joan Nichols, GA
2020 Dr. Ann Blair Kennedy, SC
2019 Nancy Dail, ME
2018 Jane Johnson, GA
2017 Jeff Smoot, OK
2015 Judith DeLany, FL
2014 William Greenberg, CT
2013 Lori Keith, NJ
2012 Dianne Polseno, MA
2011 Dr. Glenn M. Hymel, LA
2010 Dolly Wallace, MI
2009 Diana Lynn Thompson, WA
2008 Judith Aston, NV
2007 Cheryl Siniakin, PA
2006 Carolyn Talley Porter, SC
2005 Brenda L. Griffith, VA
2004 Elliot Greene, MD
2003 Judy Dean, AZ
2002 Jan Schwartz, AZ
2001 Claude J. Gagnon III, WI
2000 Jeanne Girard, CO
1999 John Balletto RI
1998 Jeffery Young, MD (deceased)
1997 Janet R. Kahn, MD
1996 Ruth Marion, CO
1995 Marlene D.C. Hundley, VA
1994 Ray Moriyasu, RI
1993 Adela Basayne-Smith, OR
1992 John Fred Spack, OH
1991 Sally Niemand, MN
1990 Leif Grunseth, WA
1989 John Bodrug, BC, Canada
1988 William John Vanderlaan, IN
1988 Mary Lou Vanderlaan, IN
1987 Susan Zappacosta, IL
1986 Roger Whiting, UT
1985 H. Argell Miller, CO
1984 R. Gary Warner, UT
1983 Darold A. Hartsook, CO
1982 Pierrette M. Plouffe, MA
1982 Doreen C. Magee, CO
1981 Thomas R. Fink, PA
1981 Marquetta K. Hungerford, CA
1981 Anne S. Bergholz, WI
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2021 Angela Barker
2020 Patty Phillips
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2022 Terri Brandt, IN
2021 Terri Barton, GA
2020 Kathleen ‘‘Cass’’ Crewdson, CT
2019 Nicole Miller, NY
2018 Karen Pirhalla, CT
2017 Jasmin Pitter, NY
2016 Carol Schneider, NY
2015 Dan Sullivan, NY
2014 Cynthia Sykes, MA
2013 Michaele Colizza, RI
2012 Ed Connor, MA
2011 Garnet Adair, AZ
2010 John G. Vines, MA
2009 Jeffrey Myers, MA
2008 Paula Kochanek, RI
2007 Haleta Holmes, OH
2006 William S. Leigh, HI
2005 Marv Kwiecinski, IN
2004 Winifred J. Cain, AZ
2003 Sandy Aycoth, NC
2002 JoAnn M. Fekany, FL
2001 Lavina Tomer, AZ
2000 Carol Kane Neilson, VT
1999 Jeanne Dodge, MA
1998 Terrie Yardley-Nohr, MO
1997 Judith Anderson, AZ
1996 Marci Roberts, OK
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2022 Nicole Arel, CT
2021 Becca Torns-Barker, CT
2020 Kim Pucka, IN
2019 Maureen Stott, CT
2017 Pat Collins, NY and Terry Hirth-Caldwell, MI
2016 Scott Raymond, CT and LuAnn Williams, IN
2015 Lee Stang, CT
2014 Barbara Lis, IN
2013 John Combe, OR
2012 Elaine Calenda, CO
2011 Angela Palmier, IL
2010 Dan Barrow, NM
2009 Virginia H. Anthony-Barrow, NM
2008 Jennifer Sommermann, NY
2007 Shirley Cooper, CT
2006 Wayne Anthony Pakulis, IA
2005 Robert A. Doyle, GA
2004 Glenath Moyle, OR
2003 Diane Gurgone, NY
2002 Chris Voltarel, CA
2001 Mildred Huggins, KS
2000 Robert E. McAtee
1999 Wayne Anthony Pakulis, IA
1998 William Greenberg, CT
1997 Ralph Stephens, IA
1996 Cheryl Siniakin, PA
1995 Lori Bielinski, WA
1994 Dana Whitfield, GA
1993 Gladys Manzer, FL
1992 Patricia Donohue, NY
1991 Scott Lamp, FL
1990 Susan Jackson, CO
1989 Benny Vaughn, FL1988 William John Vanderlaan, IN
1987 Raymond Moriyasu, RI
1986 Ted T. Itami, ID
1985 B.A. Hartnett, KS
1984 Vlast Vajtasa, ND
1983 Mildred Huggins, KS
1982 Patty J. Kruschke, WA
1981 Crescentia Sprenzel, CA
1980 C. David Tinkle, NM
1980 Bert Kidman, UT
1979 C. Nadine Graham, IN
1978 Juel Janis Reilly, PA
1977 Doreen C. Magee, CO
1976 Marilyn Frender, NY
1975 Mildred E. Konsella, NE
1974 Cecil W. George, FL
1973 David S. Carlson, CA
1972 Mildred E. Hansen, IA
1972 Anna Hoops, CA
1971 Ruth E. Williams, WA
1970 Edna H. Rue, OR
1969 James C. Bowling, TN -
2022 Jessica Ferrer, MA
2021 Cindy Steinberg
2020 Doug Nelson (MTF)
2019 Chester "Trip" Buckenmaier, III
2018 Dr. Bruce Costello, GA
2017 Winona Bontrager (PA) and Nancy M. Porambo (PA)
2016 All AMTA Members
2015 Janet G. Travell, M.D.
2014 Dan Barrow, NM
2013 Rick Rosen, NC
2012 Chris Voltarel, CA
2011 Adela Basayne, OR
2010 Maureen Moon, CO
2009 Laurel Freeman, FL
2008 Trish Dryden, Director of the Applied Research Centre at Centennial College in Toronto
2007 Sally Hacking
2006 Diana Lynn Thompson, WA
2005 Cynthia M. Ribeiro, CA
2004 Leon Chaitow ND; DO (UK)
2003 John Balleto, RI
2002 E. Houston LeBrun, WA
2001 Marlys Sperger
2000 Ben Benjamin
1999 Michael Murphy
1998 William Greenberg, CT; retired Board Member, Chair of Grievance Committee
1997 David Palmer; TouchPro Institute
1996 Elliot Greene, MD; former AMTA President, 1990-94, numerous contributions
1995 Margaret Avery Moon, AZ; 1st Chair, NCBTMB1994 Grace Chan, Ontario, Canada; first President, AMTA Foundation
1993 Dr. Tiffany Field; Director, Touch Research Institute
1992 George Kousaleos, FL; former Chair, National Certification Council
1991 Mark Beck, ID; Educator
1990 Robert Armstrong; AMTA Legal Counsel
1989 Fred Burke, CA; former AMTA Parliamentarian
1989 Florida State Massage Therapy Association
1988 Stephen Abraham, NE
1988 James Everett; Living Earth Crafts -
2021 Nicole Arel, CT
2020 Elizabeth (Betsy) C. Krizenesky, WI
2019 Chanda Hinton, CO
2018 Kim Moore, NC
2017 Nancy Levitt, MI
2016 Mary Elizabeth LeBlanc, OK
2015 Nichola Bodkin, NY
2014 Jeremy Miller, MN
2013 Scott Raymond, CT
2012 Maj-Lis, TN
2011 Chris Widlund, VT
2010 Lee Stang, CT
2009 Beverly May, CA & Nancy Porambo, PA
2008 Richard Wedegartner, MA
2007 Kathryn Anne Stewart, CO
2006 Xerlan Geiser, OK
2005 Jane Horton Johnson, GA
2004 Edwin F. Sansbury, NC
2003 Carolyn Talley Porter, SC
2002 John Fred Spack, OH
2001 Mary Beth Braun, IN
2000 Vlad Thomas, WI
1999 Jennifer Peters, MO
1998 Barbara Mikos, PA (deceased)
1998 Barbara Benson, NJ
1997 Kathy Murphy, MD
1996 Carolyn Talley, SC
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2022 Brian Smith, PA
2021 Tama MacKay, CT
2020 John Combe, OR
2019 Kevin Miller, IN
2018 Robert Vinson, MA
2017 R. Gregory Phillips, IN
2016 Richard Lomeli, CA
2013 Richard Lomeli, CA
2014 Lou Ann Botsford, RI
2015 Rocky Chen, OK2012 Bruce Spicer, NJ
2011 Laura Stevenson-Flom, CT
2010 Nestor V. Battung, IL and
Richard M. Testa, CT2009 Clifford A. Dewitt, VA
2008 Esteban Ruvalcaba, MO
2007 Maryanne Daniel, CT
2006 Lee Stang, CT
2005 Cyndi S. Fine, WI
2004 Ernest J. Kidd, VA
2003 Gay B. Barefield, SC
2002 Roger Olbrot, UT
2001 Selton Scott Stevens III, ID
2000 No Recipient
1999 Barbara Bohaty, NE
1998 George Glass, VT
1997 Gay Koopman, WA
1996 Sue Kozisek, NE
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2022 - Indiana Chapter
2021 - Washington, DC Chapter
2019 - Nebraska Chapter
2018 - Connecticut Chapter