Faculty at Healing Arts Institute
Julie Maier, B.A.
Anatomy and Physiology Instructor
Julie
holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Dana College in Blair,
Nebraska, where she minored in Chemistry and Spanish. She has taught
computer classes for Toledo Head Start and has been a substitute teacher
for the Toledo Catholic Diocese. In addition, she teaches classes in
Allied Health and Medical Terminology at Monroe Community College. Julie
has been teaching chemistry and biology at Owens Community College for
the past five years and began teaching at Healing Arts Institute in
2002.
Christy Smalla B.S., LMT, NSCA-CPT
Anatomy and Physiology Instructor
Christy’s
passion for A&P began with her education at Michigan State
University. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology in 2003
which included Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology and a Cadaver Lab.
Christy moved to Toledo and worked full time as a Fitness Specialist for
Chrysler in Perrysburg for four years. Hungry for more, she also
attended Stautzenberger College full time to complete the Diploma
program to become a Massage Therapist. Christy has been a practicing
LMT since 2006 and, as if being a student for all those years wasn’t
enough, she was given the opportunity to teach A&P in 2007 for
Massage Therapy and Fitness Programs in the area. She is enthusiastic
about sharing her knowledge and experience with students and admits
she’s a bit of an A&P geek.
Sarah C. Bellman, L.M.T., B.S.
Anatomy and Physiology Instructor
Sarah
started massage school at Healing Arts Institute in Spring Quarter 2001
and interestingly started teaching Anatomy & Physiology at HAI
exactly ten years later. In 2010, Sarah graduated from Wright State
University in Dayton, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Biological
Sciences and a minor in business. WSU offers an amazing Anatomical Gift
Program, which allowed Sarah to take four quarters of cadaver
dissection.
Sarah
is a self-employed LMT at Healing Arts of Ohio in Wapakoneta and the
Shawnee Country Club in Lima; specializing in therapeutic massage,
LaStone® massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, and hospice massage. Her
purpose and passion is to improve the quality of lives through massage
therapy and other alternative health therapies, body awareness, and
education. Sarah is a member of Associated Bodywork & Massage
Professionals, Moon City Business Network International, and Girl Scouts
of Western Ohio with her daughter Kora. Sarah also writes a monthly
column, A Touch of Health, in Full Heart Family News, an uplifting, positive monthly newspaper.
Mary F. Taylor, L.M.T.
Massage/Theory/Practice Instructor
Mary
is a licensed massotherapist and a certified neuromuscular therapist
(St. John method). She received her diploma in 1992 at the American
Institute of Massotherapy. Mary is currently finishing her Bachelor’s
Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Toledo.
Mary has been active in the massage community as a former board member
of the Licensed Massage Therapy Association of Toledo and the American
Institute of Massotherapy.
She is presently
a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals and is
the owner and head therapist of the Hands for Health Therapy Center. In
addition, Mary Taylor is President and founder of the Taylor Foundation
which was established in 2002 as a nonprofit organization. The Taylor
Foundation provides complimentary massage therapy services to
underprivileged women and children. Mary has been teaching at Healing
Arts Institute since 1999.
Melody DeMars CT, LMT Member of AMTA and LMT
Massage Theory/ Practice/ Instructor
Melody
is a 1998 Graduate from Northwest Academy of Massotherapy. While in
school, she also gained certification in Myofascial Release and Sports
Massage. She continued her education and specialization in Neuromuscular
Therapy, Thai Massage and Kinesthetic Massage. Her private practice is
located in Toledo, Ohio where she works with Acupuncturist Dr. Diane
McCormick. Her most recent studies are under the direction of Dr.
Alejandro Claraco of Hamilton University in Canada, where she is
learning to specialize in the treatment of Chronic Myofascial Pain and
Sports Injuries with dynamic Myofascial Release.
With
over twenty years of experience teaching from home schooling, Sunday
school, and massage theory and practice, she brings a unique approach to
developing your own style in massage into the classroom. she has
assistant teaching experience in Two Thumbs Up Massage with Joel Tull of
Greensboro, North Carolina and taught Massage Theory for Stautzenberger
College before coming to Healing Arts.
Melody
is currently working on the development of curriculum in review for the
State of Ohio Medical Exam, and teaching her own style of Massage,
Swedish and Beyond.
Gina M. Vargo, LMT
Massage/Theory/Practice/Ethics Instructor
Gina
has been an LMT for over 5 years, she is a 2003 graduate of HAI and has
studied and mentored under her LMT father for over 12 years. Gina
works full-time as an LMT and ethics instructor for HAI, as well as a
substitute for any area of need at the school. She is active in her
community volunteering numerous hours to various charities and a
volunteer motivational speaker focusing on the youth in the surrounding
areas. Before starting her massage career she worked as a corporate
administrative assistant for 15 years and currently works doing
corporate chair massage for former employers. Gina has been married
almost 19 years and has 2 children and she spends her free
time continuing her education and creating art pieces.
Gary Walkowiak, MBA
Business Instructor
Gary
holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in business
administration and has earned his MBA from Heidelberg College . Gary
brings a wealth of experience from the world of corporate retail having
spent 26 years with the Kroger Co. as a store manager and regional
coordinator for area stores. He has also owned an independent wholesale
food distributorship and has experience in the financial products
industry. Most recently, Gary has been with Heidelberg College 's
marketing and enrollment program and has done individual tutoring for
Owens Community College .
Margaret Parker, M.A.
Business InstructorMargaret holds an Associate in Applied Business-Business
Management,
a Bachelors of Arts degree in Individualized Studies and a Master of
Arts degree from the University of Toledo in Public Administration.
Margaret is the past President of the Victory Learning Center’s
governing board and Chair of the Policy Committee. She is also a member
and past treasurer of Alpha Beta Gamma (now Kappa Beta Delta Honorary
Society). She is a member of the American Society of Public
Administrators. Margaret and has over 25 years experience in the
business arena working for such companies, as Davis Business College, BP
(formerly Standard Oil), Key bank (formerly Toledo Trust), the
DeVilbiss Co. and the AP Parts Co. In addition to teaching at Healing
Arts Institute, Margaret is an Adjunct Instructor at Owens for the
Business and Public Service Department.
FACULTY SUPPORTLesa M. Beaupry, B.S.
Anatomy & Physiology Department
Lesa
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bowling Green State
University in addition to her Certificate of Completion from the
University of Puerto Rico. From 1993 to 1998 she worked at Owens
Community College as a tutor in the Natural Science Learning Center and
as a laboratory assistant. Lesa taught at Healing Arts Institute for
about 7 years.
Mary C. Cole, L.P.N., B.S.
Anatomy & Physiology DepartmentMary
is a 1978 graduate of the Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) Program of
Canton City Schools. As an L.P.N. she gained valuable experience by
working with a variety of patients in surgical, medical, orthopedic, and
critical care. Graduated in 1990 from Bowling Green State University
with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Education, she is pursuing a Master's
Degree in Biology. Mary taught at Healing Arts Institute for about 7
years.
Marcia Tillotson, L.M.T., B.S.
Massage/Theory/Practice Department
Marcia
M. Tillotson is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular,
and Certified Reflexologist. She graduated from the Northwest Academy of
Massotherapy and received her license in 2001. She has a Bachelors of
Business Administration from the University of Toledo. Marcia is also a
nationally Registered Polysomnographic Technologist and has been working
in sleep disorders for nine years. Marcia is a massage therapist at
Hands for Health Therapy Center and is the Assistant Director of the
Taylor Foundation.
