She became a nurse in 1983, studying nursing at DMACC, University of Iowa and Grand View College. Even with all her training and experience, she found herself divorced, in-debt and bed bound with depression for 6 months. It was Alternative Health Methods that got her “out of bed”. This ignited a quest for learning and a sincere desire to share with others what she was… living. From these beginnings, the Center was born.
Deb is involved with all levels of the Center from major projects to minor details. She is known to greet each person who returns to the Center by name and means it when she says “Welcome, how are you today?”. She supports on-going staff development and works with private clients using several healing methods for tailored healing sessions. She is both a student for life and a teacher to her core and is especially interested in Conscious Living, Meditation and the refinement of touch through various methods.
She became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 1997 and has participated in over 10 years of extensive teacher training classes. Deb attends the State Massage Board Meetings on a regular basis. Our school is the only school in Iowa that has a representative in attendance at every meeting of the State Massage Therapy Board meetings. She is a Master-Teacher of Reiki and other Alternative Health Methods, receives frequent requests for public speaking engagements, and teaches numerous classes at the Center and in the community.
In the Massage Therapy Program, Deb is the common thread throughout the course. She teaches:
Advanced Mentoring
Deb directs all activities in the Student & Professional Massage Therapy Clinics. She is active, involved and available to individual students throughout the course.
Deb looks at things differently than most people and inspires others with her wisdom and insight. She has a gift of being able to bring out the best in others, offers new perspectives and encourages them to the next level on their unique path. She really loves …and lives… her work. You’ll want to meet Deb.
One quote she finds especially inspiring, and is displayed at the Center, is:
“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)
Janice Gutnecht
Janice is the Fitness Director at Prairie Life Health & Fitness in West Des Moines, Iowa and has been in the fitness industry since the early 80’s. She has extensive experience and training related to Wellness and Exercise programs. She is a part of our Body Mechanics and Movement class. She helps us learn “from the inside” the way our muscles work and how to experience movement in a dynamic and personal way. For more information, go to www.PrairieLife.com.
Ronda Harris, RN, LMT
Ronda became a nurse in 1968 and had a full career in Quality Care Management. When she turned 50…something big happened. She decided to change the quality of her life and did so dramatically. She graduated from the
College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center in 1997 and hasn’t stopped studying since. Ronda has advanced training in numerous areas including
Reflexology, from the International Institute of Reflexology in St. Petersburg, Florida, and has taught our Reflexology classes for years. She teaches continuing education classes on massage and other topics. She is well known in the community and has a successful private practice in Des Moines, Iowa.
Zachary P. Hoover, LMT
Zach began his work experience in the Culinary Arts in 1987. This offered him a place to use his hands to create and provide something enjoyable for others. He was looking for more balance and fulfillment through his work when he was initially drawn to massage. He knew he was on the right path within the first week of classes, a feeling that has grown exponentially ever since.
Zach graduated from the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center and joined the Center in 2003. Zach embodies the benefits of and has a passion for massage therapy. His full time massage practice grew rapidly and he now teaches Massage Therapy Theory and Practice classes. He offers sessions in and supports Myofascial Release classes at the Center as a teaching assistant.
Known for his creative writing, Zach masterfully uses writing as another way to express himself. He shares a poem specifically created for students at each graduation ceremony. The following was a part of the dedications ceremony for a new fountain added to the lobby as a part of the 10 year anniversary celebration events at the Center.
Waterfall
I choose to manifest something
different,
something true.
I hand over these crutches
that hold capable legs to feel unsure.
With the beauty
and graceful power of a waterfall,
I will use my energy to go forward
,
steady and with purpose.
Accept me as I fall
to rise up again –
in body and spirit,
mindfully here.
Zachary Hoover
Douglas Lee-Regier, MA, LMT
Douglas earned his Master’s degree in English from Utah State University in 1969. He continues to teach English at the college level and has been an adult educator all of his adult life. He graduated from the Universal College of Healing Arts in Omaha, NE as a massage therapist in 1999 and is licensed in Nebraska and nationally certified. Since 1999, his primary modality has been Myofascial Release Therapy, but he is also trained in other techniques including CranioSacral therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Swedish Massage.
Douglas, with his gentle compassionate nature, was a home daycare provider and stay at home dad for 13 years, and is now devoted full time to his healing work as his "passion in life." Douglas offers private sessions and facilitates several Myofascial Release Therapy Seminars here at the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center and in Nebraska, South Dakota and other parts of Iowa. He is married and has four grown children and six grandchildren.
For more information, go to www.newdimensionsinwellness.com.
Morgan Rivers, BA, LMT
Morgan earned her BA in Botany from University of Iowa in 1973. She graduated from Heartwood Institute in California in 1990, earned her Zero Balancing TM certification in 1997 and, in her mid-50’s and started her studies in Acupuncture. She joined the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center in 1999, has been an active member of our teaching staff in the Massage Therapy program and currently teaching our Oriental Medicine Philosophy class. In addition to her private practice in Clive, Iowa, she is a Dances of Universal Peace Leader and works with clients and staff at Hospice of Central Iowa.
Mony Robinson, LMT
Mony graduated from the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center in 2000. Aromatherapy is more than a nice fragrance in her office. She has participated in trainings for this specialty in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Idaho. Her Aromatherapy classes are a part of the Massage Therapy Program. As Mony shares her knowledge and experience, her enthusiasm (and the aromas) fills the room. She is also available for private Massage Therapy sessions here at the Center.
Jon Royal, BA
Jon has a depth of understanding of both the business world and Alternative
Health Methods rarely found in the same person. He graduated from Grinnell College in 1970. His broad business experience ranges from experimental Social Services Programs to traditional Corporate America and has been self-employed for over 20 years. Jon is a Master Practitioner and Teacher and is active in the state legislative process regarding Complementary and Alternative Health Methods. He works with clients in his private office in Des Moines, Iowa and is also available to see clients here at the Center. Jon is a valuable member of our team, is very involved behind the scenes, is on our Board of Advisors and supports the teaching of our Business Success classes. For more, go to www.RoyalinsightProductions.com.
Steve Suvolsky, MHS, PA
Steve obtained his Masters of Health Sciences and Pathologists’ Assistant Degree in 1983 from Quinnipiac College in Hamden, Connecticut. Students visit the Histopathology Department at Iowa Methodist Medical Center to observe organs in healthy and diseased conditions which helps the Anatomy and Physiology topics “come alive”. Steve has passion for and commitment to his work and teaching which would be inspiring to anyone, regardless of his topic.
Yimin Xu
Yimin graduated in 1983 from Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, China. After graduation, he joined the faculty of Dongyang Medical School and Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1992, he immigrated to the United States where he continued postgraduate studies at Northeastern University in Boston. He also taught at Southwestern Acupuncture College in New Mexico. Yimin has a successful private practice as an acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine Practitioner at the Family Acupuncture in Johnston, Iowa. He teaches Qigong through Community Adult Education. He has taught Chinese meridians in our Massage Therapy course for years in a way that is fun and makes this “foreign” information understandable. For more information, go to www.iowafamilyacupuncture.com.
Meet the Support Staff
Eileen Wolfe
Eileen, our Office Manager, has over 30 years of office management experience at US West. She officially joined the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center in 2001. Eileen brings amazing talents with organizing and establishing data management systems. She is a tremendous pillar of supportive behind the scenes and a key player in our Celebration Events Team. Our regular Student Clinic clients look forward to her call and say they “know of very few places where the quality of customer service we offer is still available these days”. Part of what adds to the caring feel at the Center is that it’s widely known she is also Deb Elliott’s Mom. If you call the school, Eileen is likely to answer your call.
Ron Wolfe
Ron has over 30 years of business experience in management and leadership positions at Sears and Wolfe Machinery. He officially joined the College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center in 2001. Ron is such a rock of support
behind the scenes at the Center. He offers valued input for business decisions, creative problem solving ideas, structural improvements and is a key player in our Celebration Events Team. He is also in charge of the computers and keeps our information current. Although you may not notice directly, his special touches and influence is found throughout the Center at every turn. He brings multiple talents and he care about things at the Center as few others could, since he is also Deb Elliott’s Dad. If you find yourself in our lobby enjoying a few extra minutes before your appointment, you will likely get the chance to talk with him.
College of Massage and the Healing Arts Center
