OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois (February 24, 2011) – The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Board of Directors announced today they have unanimously confirmed the appointment of Leena Guptha, D.O., to serve the remaining three years of a four-year open seat on the board. The appointment restores the board to its full complement of nine seats, consisting of eight massage and bodywork professionals and one public member. Dr. Guptha is the Dean of Academic Affairs and Acting Director for ITT Technical Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she has taught, developed curriculum and managed the education department.
Her professional career spans more than 20 years and has encompassed traditional medical practice, academic appointments and practice of complementary alternative therapies. She is active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Massage Therapy Association, where she presided as national president in 2007-2008. As a driving force in the massage industry, Dr. Guptha is passionate about education, regulation and advancing the profession toward global recognition. ”Leena Guptha is an incredible asset to the NCBTMB Board,” said Alexa Zaledonis, Board Chair and Licensed Massage Therapist. “Her commitment to advancing education, universal awareness of the health benefits of massage and collegiality among stakeholders in the profession is precisely in line with NCBTMB’s objectives and vision for the industry.”
Dr. Guptha was formerly the Dean of Massage Therapy at Lehigh Valley College in Pennsylvania and taught at the National University for Health Sciences Lombard, Illinois, for eight years. She received her degree in Osteopathic and Naturopathic Medicine from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in London and her Masters degree in Complementary Therapy from the University of Westminster. She graduated from the British College of Acupuncture with a Licentiate in Acupuncture and is a Board Certified Hypnotherapist. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration. Dr. Guptha’s personal mission for more than 20 years has been to facilitate the integration of complementary alternative therapies into primary health care settings.
“I believe this can happen within my lifetime and I take every opportunity to bring stakeholders together for what I believe serves the greater good of the public, practitioners and ultimately society,” said Dr. Guptha. ”I am delighted to serve again on the NCBTMB board, especially with the new focus on developing an advanced credential for massage therapists. This is exactly what is needed to gain greater recognition for massage as a respected complementary treatment within the traditional medical community. I embrace the role, to be an ambassador for the massage profession and believe that together, with NCBTMB, we can serve the greater good by taking the industry to new heights,” added Dr. Guptha.
“I can’t overstate how excited we all are to welcome Dr. Guptha to the national certification board,” said NCBTMB CEO, Paul Lindamood. “I look forward to drawing on her knowledge, expertise and insights in helping us create a more significant presence for massage across the nation, as well as in the integrative health care arena.” Lindamood added, “She also brings an awareness of the conventional healthcare community that will help form a bridge to the next level for massage. The entire profession will benefit.”
ABOUT NCBTMB The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) was established in 1992 as an independent, nonprofit organization fostering the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of therapeutic massage and bodywork through two recognized credentialing programs. NCBTMB examinations are currently accepted or recognized in statute or rule by 38 states plus the District of Columbia. There are nearly 90,000 professionals with NCBTMB certification. NCBTMB’s certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.