Faculty

Stella Gesner, NCTMB   is the Founder & Director of the Gloucester County School of Massage and will be overseeing and instructing in all aspects of the Therapeutic Massage Program. Stella is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist who has 7 years experience as a Scrub Nurse at Cooper Medical Center before becoming a Massage Therapist. She has 10 years of teaching experience in all areas of massage therapy. Stella also works out of her private practice at Haddonfield Massage & Wellness Center in Haddonfield NJ. She is currently a member of the Associated BodyWork & Massage Professionals. As an Instructor one of her goals is to bring enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism to this healing art.

Edward Danzi, LMT, NCTMB

Assistant Director to Stella Gesner. Working side by side with Stella, Ed coordinates and schedules outside events for the Institute, handles the Student Clinic scheduling, and a variety of other tasks.

Ed graduated in 1997 from Omega Bodyworks in Lafayette & Chestnut Hill , Pa. and has been Nationally Certified and New Jersey State Certified since 2006.  

He had worked for Toppers Spa and Salon for 11 years and has been the Team Leader in the Massage Department since 2003. He specializes in Deep Tissue Therapy, Sports Massage, Raindrop Therapy, and Hot Stone Therapy.  

He has designed and teaches specialty training courses in Extended 2-Hour Treatments as well as Body Treatments, Scrubs, and Wraps.

Ed joined The Gloucester School of Massage as an Instructor in November of 2006 where he teaches our 620 Hour State approved curriculum in addition to Raindrop Therapy.  

He has also attended continuing education courses were he has been introduced to Thai massage, and Jin Shin do.

Ed is currently a member of the Associated BodyWork & Massage Professionals.

Elizabeth Picot, NCTMB

Elizabeth is the day class instructor at the Gloucester County School of Massage.

Prior to massage school, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Rider University in 2002, and taught at the elementary level for three years. Having an interest in massage therapy, Elizabeth decided to go school for it with the intention of using her certification for a part-time position. She attended the Gloucester County School of Massage and not only fell in love with massage therapy, she also fell in love with the school, and the life-changing experience it offered. After graduation, she began working as a therapist at the Haddonfield Massage and Wellness Center in Haddonfield, where she still continues to work. She went on to become Nationally Certified and began teaching massage therapy in February of 2008. Elizabeth considers herself fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to combine both her passions – massage and teaching.

Jennifer Lenik, NCTMB will be instructing Sports Massage for the Institute. Jen comes with an understanding & knowledge of A&P and Philosophy as well as the importance of hands-on practice. Jennifer is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and enjoys her work as an Instructor and her private practice. Jen is currently a member of the Associated BodyWork & Massage Professionals.

Michele Carlino , NCTMB will be instructing in Reflexology for Gloucester County School of Massage. Michele is a Nationally Certified Reflexologist through the American Reflexology Certification Board. Michele enjoys her private practice in NJ and is currently

an Instructor of Reflexology.

Curt Whipple, CMT will be teaching Deep Tissue and Communication skills. Curt teaches as an adjunct Professor at Rowan and Rutgers University, as well as Camden County College.

After training at Our Lady of Lourdes, Curt focused his attention on Sports and Deep tissue massage while utilizing Shiatsu and Thai massage as complementary therapies. Curt has applied some of the technique work he experienced traveling to China. His basic belief is that emotion or energy can stagnate in the body and break down the immune system.

Debra Turner, NCTMB is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist who will be instructing in Hot Stone Therapy for the Gloucester County School of Massage. She is currently a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. Debra has been certified in Hot Stone Therapy, Reflexology, and Essential Oil Therapy. She currently holds a position at the Cuckoo's Nest in Woodstown, NJ as a Massage Therapist.

Lisa O'Brien, Certified Reiki Master and Nutritional Consultant

Lisa is currently a CRM, Minjushri Practitioner, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Owner and Coordinator of Bliss Body which is located at the Haddonfield Massage and Wellness Center. Lisa will be instructing Reiki I and Reiki II for the Gloucester County School of Massage. Lisa also instruts all-level yoga classes as well as offering private
one-hour Reiki , Minjushri, and Yoga sessions.  She offers lectures on Balancing Your Energy, Nutrition Awareness, Stress Management, and Meditation. Lisa's experience in teaching ranges from children to adults of all ages in a variety of subjects which include spirituality, exercise and general academics.

Elsie Kerns  is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and has been teaching mind-body healing for the past 15 years. She is a Energy Intuitive instructor who holds multiple certifications such as Reiki Master, Craniosacral Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Energy Medicine. Elsie will be teaching Energy & Healing for the Massage Therapist Level I &

Level II for the Gloucester County School of Massage. Elsie maintains a private practice with Wellness Workers, Holistic Health Education & Services in Cherry Hill NJ, and also offers work site wellness.

Deb Overholt, CI (AOBTA), Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) – Introduction to Chinese Medicine Instructor

Will be covering Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Deborah is a certified Shiatsu Instructor. She will demonstrate the theories of Yin and Yang, the five elements along with the meridians of the body. The meridians are a system of pathways through which the bodies energy flows.

Deb has been an Asian Bodywork Therapist since 1992 and an instructor of Shiatsu and Traditional Chinese Medicine since 1996. The letters following her name stand for Certified Instructor through the American Organization for Bodywork Therapists of Asia, and a Diplomate of Asian Bodywork Therapy through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has been a member with AOBTA since its inception and served for many years as the NJ State Chapter Legislative Chair. She has been involved with the legislative process in NJ since 1994 and is currently serving on the Examining Committee, under the Board of Nursing, for the NJ Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapies Act. Recently she was nominated Chair of the newly appointed Board overseeing the NJ Massage and Bodywork Therapies Act requiring mandatory Licensure of MT's and ABT's and other Bodyworkers. In August of 2005, Deb joined the National Board of AOBTA as the Director of the Council of Schools and Programs. Deb remains a “lifetime student” through continuing education courses of Asian bodywork as well as her interest in indigenous herbs. She has a private practice in Mount Laurel that includes a long-term relationship with a continuing care retirement community working with the staff and residents. Her most recent exciting project is the development of a training course for nurses and nurse assistants incorporating acupressure techniques for full-care and cancer patients.

Val McGuire, Yoga Instructor

Instructs students on the importance of breathing and demonstrates Hatha Yoga Techniques.

Dr. Joanne White, PhD

Alexander Technique Instructor

With over 20 years of teaching, counseling,administration,research,program design and spiritual development, Dr. White brings her knowledge, passion, and expertise to best serve the unique needs and special talents of each individual. Joanne is a member of the National Association of Certified Hypnotherapists, International Association of Counselors and Therapists, International Counsel of Alternative Research and Evaluation and Tri-State Holistic Health Association.

Robert F. Marino, Business Trainer and Consultant

Bob Marino is a Fortune 500 facilitator, developing and delivering customized training seminars for large and small businesses for the past 18 years. Presently he is an adjunct professor at Camden County College and Salem Community College specializing in assisting the entrepreneur start and succeed in business, along with management, communication skills and customer service, résumé and interviewing seminars.

Mandi A. Cassidy , CPR Instructor

Mandi is President of Salem Oak Vineyards in Pedricktown NJ . She is also a practicing Registered Nurse, licensed in1986. She received a Bachelorette degree in Science from LaSalle University . Mrs. Cassidy graduated 5 th in her class with a GPA of 3.98. Upon graduating, she became the sole owner and operator of a small Health and Safety Education Company. Mrs. Cassidy managed this business for 11 years while also practicing full time as a Critical Care Burn Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. In 2004, the Health and Safety Business was sold in order to begin Salem Oak Vineyards. At present, she is practicing full time as a Registered Nurse Performance Improvement Manager and Supervisor for a large Home Care Agency. During the evening and weekends, Mandi still provides Health and Safety programs including First Aid and CPR. Most recently, she has received the 2009 Outstanding Health and Safety Instructor Award from The American Red Cross. Mandi is a dynamic, entertaining speaker who will keep you laughing while learning.