New foundation president elected

The Massage Therapy Foundation, an organization that advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by its grants for scientific research, education and community service, has a new president. Diana Thompson, of Seattle, Washington, will begin a two-year term March 1. She was elected by the foundation's board of trustees.

Thompson has been a foundation trustee since March 2002 and has served as a vice president since March 2005. She has been instrumental in the development and publication of the foundation’s research-curriculum guide for massage-and-bodywork programs; and in the development of a student case report contest, a scholarship competition offered through entry-level education programs, according to a foundation press release. She recently served as chair of the scientific advisory committee for the Highlighting Massage Therapy in CAM Research conference held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in September 2005.

Thompson is a licensed massage practitioner in the state of Washington. She began her practice in Iowa in 1979, working with college athletes, and became licensed in Washington in 1984 where she established Lakeside Massage–The Injury Clinic. She has taught at massage schools throughout the United States; has been a consultant for several NIH-funded research projects; and is the author of Hands Heal: Communication, Documentation, and Insurance Billing for Manual Therapists.

Thompson will succeed John Balletto, who served as president of the Massage Therapy Foundation since October 1999.