About NHITA
The History of NHITA
NHITA was founded in 1983 by Robert Berube, MEd, DSc, DC and Patrick Ian Cowan, PhD. The institute has its roots in the Merrimack Valley Integral Health Center, in Hudson NH, where the founders recognized the need for thorough and professional training in massage therapy. The clinical experience of the health care facility figured prominently in the content and philosophy of the school's massage therapy training program, which emphasizes natural approaches to health care.
As an independently functioning educational facility the school was recognized by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in 1983. In 1992 the school was recognized by American Massage Therapy Association Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (AMTA/COMTA), and in 1999 was fully accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). Please read more about accreditation on our accreditation page. In 2003 the school was recognized and approved for Department of Education Title IV funding, which allows the institute to offer financial aid to students who qualify.
The Hudson, NH facility has remained in continuous operation since 1983 and the Bridgton, Maine campus was opened in 1994. The Institute continued under the direction of Dr. Berube and Dr. Cowan until 1998 with the passing of Dr. Berube. In 1999 the school restructured its administration and educational directorship under the guidance of Dr. Cowan, Janet Alexis and Karen Schilling, where it continues today.
NHITA's Mission Statement
The mission of New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts is to provide professional preparation in Massage Therapy. Our primary academic objective is to teach Massage Therapy within the overall context of Natural Therapeutics, thereby to produce graduates who are health professionals in every sense. Along with and beyond knowledge of anatomy and physiology, we provide training and education in applications of specific methods, indications and contraindications for various techniques, therapeutic sensitivity, client relations, recognition of adjunctive therapies, and basic business and ethical skills in managing a practice. Our training emphasizes Massage Therapy as an ideal preventive and curative method within the framework and experience of a health center and as such support with the wellness model of health care.
Administrative Bios
Patrick Ian Cowan, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Cowan's administrative background reaches back to earlier civil engineering work where he managed large construction projects.
His own quest for personal growth and good health led him to the field of natural therapeutics. A diverse training in disciplines associated with natural therapeutics such as counseling, nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and massage therapy equips Dr. Cowan with the necessary skills of an administrator for a school involved in a holistic approach to healthcare. Dr Cowan has worked using massage therapy with specific conditions to include spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, spina bifida and disc compression as well as having a specialization in structural reintegration.
Patrick whole heartedly believes in an inclusive, compassionate and ethical approach to education for all. His diverse background in administration, health care and education affords the school an individual able to oversee student affairs, faculty coordination and curriculum development to communication with the school's regulatory and licensing agencies.
Janet Alexis, AAS, LMT
Director
Janet Alexis' entire professional career has involved her in the field of health care. She began as office manager for the Merrimack Valley Integral Health Center, a natural therapeutics clinic that provided comprehensive health care through chiropractic, counseling, nutrition, physical therapy and massage therapy. Ms. Alexis' role of office manager working with Drs. Berube and Cowan positioned her to serve as administrator for NHITA at its inception. Her role has grown with the school and she is now Director at the Hudson campus. Janet participates in strategic planning for the institute as well as overseeing day-to-day operations of the Hudson campus with an emphasis on student affairs and faculty coordination. Also see faculty page.
Karen D. Schilling, MS, RD, LMT
Associate Director
Karen Schilling has been the Associate Director of the school since 1999 and has since been instrumental in curriculum development, policy and procedure and strategic planning. Ms. Schilling brings a business perspective to the school from her past career as a CPA. She has a passion for natural therapeutics and strives to keep NHITA on the cutting edge of massage therapy education by continually observing new trends, networking, and involvement in the massage therapy community. Also see faculty page.
Gretchen Loeffler, BS, LMT
Administrative Assistant
Gretchen's administrative experience ranges from restaurant management to public relations director for a non-profit arts council to founding member and active leader in numerous outing clubs. As a graduate of NHITA herself, Gretchen understands the working of the school from a student perspective as well as an administrative point of view. In her welcoming and warm manner she functions as a student liaison along with taking care of many of the other grassroots functions of the school, such as communication and record keeping at the Bridgton campus. Also see faculty page.