Inaugural Class Graduates from Woodloch and Lackawanna College Massage Therapy Certificate Program

After its launch in the fall of 2022, the partnership between The Lodge at Woodloch and the Massage Therapy Certificate Program at Lackawanna College’s Lake Region Center is thriving, with the inaugural class having just graduated, current students hard at work, and new opportunities available for enrollment. The strategic partnership couples comprehensive academic coursework with hands-on expertise at an award-winning destination spa resort to create a top-notch certificate program.
The curriculum instructs students on an array of subjects including anatomy, physiology, massage theory and research, kinesiology, and more. Concurrently, students receive firsthand training in providing high levels of service and massage techniques at a world-renowned property, which offers quite the resume boost at the beginning of one’s career.

The program attracts candidates from all over the state, though a handful of current employees at Woodloch took advantage of the new opportunity. Woodloch provides full scholarships to staff members who enroll in the program. The application process involves a series of screenings and paperwork as well as interviews with both The Lodge at Woodloch and the Lackawanna College teams. Classes run Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM for six months, but many students hold full or part-time jobs outside the program.

Two such students, Tara Hedden and Morgan McKean, were eager to apply as soon as they learned about the opportunity. McKean is a prep attendant at The Lodge at Woodloch, assisting the spa treatments staff with their service needs. Hedden is a dining room server at Woodloch Pines, the all-inclusive family resort two miles down the road from The Lodge at Woodloch. Both women were excited to try something new and advance their careers.

McKean, a 2020 graduate of Wallenpaupack High School, began working at The Lodge at Woodloch as a prep attendant in January 2021. She is a “people person who took a leap of faith” after her supervisor at the spa, Amanda Clabaugh, encouraged her to apply to the program. Clabaugh is the treatments manager at The Lodge at Woodloch who leads students through their experiential education.

McKean was one of the first students to apply and be accepted into the program. She began in October of last year and will graduate this May. Her favorite parts of the program include the hands-on training she receives at such an incredible facility as well as the academic components, realizing just how much knowledge it requires to correctly massage different parts of the body. Perhaps most importantly, she feels “incredibly grateful to be a part of this community of healers. It is such a welcoming and positive group. Taking this path has helped me recognize the importance of the energy we surround ourselves with and the importance of being at peace with oneself.”

Tara Hedden found herself drawn to the program for similar reasons. Having worked in the food service industry for over a decade, Hedden took that same leap of faith in applying after seeing a flyer posted on the staff bulletin board at Woodloch Pines. Facing a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis at 15 years old, she began traditional pharmaceutical treatments, but unfortunately never saw much success with them. This sparked her interest in holistic healing methods and applying to the program gave her “that feeling, like this is the right next step I’m supposed to be taking.” She hopes to eventually become a naturopathic doctor.

Hedden began the program last November and will graduate this June. “I am so grateful and happy that I made this decision. I can’t imagine where I would be mentally and emotionally without it. It’s brought so much to my life. I can’t believe the amount of knowledge I’ve gained from my instructors, classmates, and the therapists at The Lodge at Woodloch. There are so many people that have so much knowledge to share. It’s also amazing what close knit bonds you form with your classmates. Everyone is willing to help; it’s a very supportive atmosphere.”

Admissions are rolling, and those interested are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional information can be found at https://www.lackawanna.edu/certificates/massage-therapist/.