Ohio AMTA Newsletter:Spring 2025 Recap and Updates

Meet your Ohio AMTA Board

Jennifer Cull President Holly Wylie Board Member

Mark Pennington Financial Administrator Dawn McCullough Board Member

Staci Miller Secretary Jennifer Beaver Delegate

2025 Annual Meeting Recap Congratulations to Our Newly Elected 2025–2027 Officers! - Mark Pennington – Financial Administrator - Dawn McCullough – Board Member - Jennifer Beaver – Delegate We’re still buzzing from the energy of our State Convention! The AMTA Ohio Board was truly overwhelmed in the best way by the incredible turnout, warm connections, and enthusiasm shared among both longtime members and new faces. With over 4,000 AMTA Ohio members strong, our sense of community is thriving! Thank you to our presenters, Matt Gavzy, Chris & Xerlan Deery, and Mable Sharp for traveling to Ohio and offering amazing education to all who attended. You're Invited! Monthly Board Meeting Our meetings are open to all members. Please join us! June 2, 2025 8:00–9:30 PM (ET)  Join the Meeting Online: https://meet.goto.com/942061293 Dial in: +1 (872) 240-3311 | Access Code: 942-061-293 One-touch: tel:+18722403311,,942061293# Get the GoTo App: https://meet.goto.com/install Research in Focus Two of our Ohio Board members recently attended IMTRC (International Massage Therapy Research Conference) in Alexandria, VA. Held only once every 3 years, IMTRC highlighted cutting-edge research shaping the future of massage therapy around the world. One of many posters presented at this Conference was from one of your fellow Ohio AMTA Members Melissa Clark!

2025 Award Recipients: Mark Pennington- Chapter Meritorious Award, National President-Elect Rick Greely, Dawn McCullough- President's Award We were honored to have these returning leaders sworn in by their massage school instructor from 20 years ago, upcoming AMTA National President-Elect Rick Greely.  Explore Our New Website! We’re proud to announce the launch of our new Ohio AMTA website: www.ohioamta.org Here, you’ll find updates on: -     Link for our monthly board meeting is open to all members -      Government Relations (GR) Advocacy -      Continuing Education Classes -      Upcoming Events -       A brand-new photo gallery (coming soon!) Upcoming In-Person Educational Opportunities: National AMTA Convention Dallas, TX August 21–23, 2025 Ohio MAC (Member Appreciation Class) Westerville, OH October 25, 2025 1 Day Only Featuring Doug Nelson teaching “Increasing Cervical Mobility” Registration opens late summer! Government Relations (GR) Last General Assembly, we had language in House Bill 315 that aimed to address a critical loophole in Ohio law—one that allows individuals to provide “relaxation massage” without a license, raising serious concerns about public safety. The proposed language would have empowered townships with greater authority to regulate massage therapy locally, including the ability to prohibit unlicensed individuals from practicing. Unfortunately, this language was removed from the final bill, prompting us to shift our strategy. While the American Massage Therapy Association is not currently pursuing legislative changes in Ohio, our efforts have shifted toward education and awareness. Building on the momentum of our previous Advocacy Day, the Ohio Chapter—working closely with National—is organizing a series of Legislative Listen and Learn events across the state. These sessions are designed to introduce legislators to AMTA and the practice of professionally regulated massage therapy, while also highlighting a critical loophole in Ohio law that permits individuals to practice massage without a license. Each of the six planned events will take place at a college or university with a massage therapy program, giving lawmakers the opportunity to tour classrooms and simulation labs, engage directly with students and educators about the curriculum, and hear from licensed massage therapists about the rigorous training and certification process. These events aim to deepen legislative understanding of the profession and the importance of licensure in ensuring safe, effective care. If you are interested in participating in one of these events or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out—the legislators value hearing directly from those doing the work on the ground.  To reach out to your AMTA Ohio chapter:  Email: amta4ohio@gmail.com  -OR-  Phone: (440)863-5300 voicemail only.