The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education Elects University of Western States Assistant Director Eric Polgar to its Board of Directors
PORTLAND, Ore (PRWEB) August 27, 2013 -- The University of Western States (UWS), a leader in the education of health care professionals, announced that its assistant director of massage therapy, Eric Polgar, has been elected to the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education’s (AFMTE) board of directors. Mr. Polgar was also elected to serve on the AFMTE executive committee as treasurer. The AFMTE is a non-profit organization that serves the massage therapy community as an independent voice, advocate and resource for the entire education industry.
“With more than 15 years of experience working in health care management and education, and as a licensed massage therapist (LMT), Eric brings a unique and broad set of skills to the Alliance,” said Alliance president Pete Whitridge, LMT. “His business background combined with a history of working with individuals and organizations to achieve their goals, will complement our board’s talent and experience, and help the Alliance to continue its mission of achieving a culture of excellence in massage therapy education.”
Mr. Polgar earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from York College of Pennsylvania, and an MBA degree in health care administration and management from Western Governors University.
The UWS massage therapy program recently received accreditation from the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). COMTA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting agency to ensure quality education in massage therapy programs. UWS is one of three massage therapy schools in Oregon to receive accreditation through COMTA, and the only Oregon institution offering a massage program that is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
About AFMTE
The Alliance for Massage Therapy Education is a non-profit organization established to serve as an independent voice, advocate and resource for the entire education sector – from entry-level massage training programs through post-graduate studies. The Alliance is the only organization that brings schools, teachers and continuing education providers together under one roof. The Alliance provides a comprehensive range of services to this community and represents their interests in all domains. This advocacy comes into play in dealing with regulatory issues, accreditation, standard-setting initiatives such as the Alliance’s National Teacher Education Standards Project, as well as ongoing efforts to get massage therapy better recognized by and integrated into the health care delivery system. Additional information about the Alliance can be found at http://www.afmte.org.
About the University of Western States
A leader in the education of health care professionals, the University of Western States (UWS) provides a science-driven curriculum that delivers a solid foundation and competitive edge in preparing students for clinical practice. UWS is a regionally accredited, non-profit institution dedicated to improving the health of society through its educational programs, research and clinical services. Founded in 1904, the university offers a doctor of chiropractic degree program; master’s degrees in exercise and sports science, human nutrition and functional medicine, and diagnostic imaging; a massage therapy certification program; and accredited continuing education programs for licensed health care professionals. UWS is a founding member of the Oregon Collaborative for Integrative Medicine, an organization that aims to advance integrative health care through education, research, patient care and advocacy. To learn more about the University of Western States and its academic programs, go to http://www.uws.edu.
Brian Fawkes, University of Western States, http://www.uws.edu, 503-251-2836, [email protected]
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