The Massage Therapy Foundation/Performance Health 2011 Humanitarian Award was presented to massage therapist, author and publisher Andrew Biel at the American Massage Therapy Association convention held in Portland, Oregon, in late October.
Biel has served on the faculties of Boulder College of Massage Therapy and Seattle Massage School, and taught cadaver studies for bodyworkers at Bastyr Naturopathic University, according to a press release. He has been a massage therapist for 19 years.
In 1997, he wrote and published the acclaimed Trail Guide to the Body, which is used in more than 1,700 schools in 38 countries. Biel is president and owner of Books of Discovery. The company supports several nonprofit organizations, including the Massage Therapy Foundation, the Nature Conservancy and the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education.
“A humanitarian is someone who gives from the heart,” said Marshall Dahneke, president and CEO of Performance Health. “This motivation, this good intention, manifests itself in many ways and ultimately determines the life we live and who we become.
“Drew’s ability to give passionately and freely from the heart motivates him to make things happen that benefit others,” Dahneke continued. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to honor Drew and to thank him for his contributions.”
In addition to providing Biel with an award plaque, Performance Health donated $2,500 to the Massage Therapy Foundation in his name.