Massage graduates

WALDOBORO – The Downeast School of Massage held commencement exercises for 14 new massage therapists from the 36th graduation class and approximately 170 guests on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the school in Waldoboro. Bruce Hopkins, guest speaker provided an inspirational speech to graduates and guests. Besides his degrees from MIT and Dartmouth, Bruce is a graduate of DSM. He has made it his mission to help provide massage therapy to individuals suffering from and surviving from cancer. Bruce shared his personal journey and his vision for the profession. He offered congratulations to the graduates and wished them much success in the years ahead.

Nancy Waltz Dail, BA, nationally-certified massage therapist and director of the school, delivered a few final words before passing out diplomas with the Director of Education, Suzanne Ash and Director of Admissions, Cindi Yawdik.

Among those graduating were Laura Aube of Readfield, Yana Booth-Athenian of Anson, Sarah Graham of Athens, Paul Monroe of Bath, and Courtney Norton of Winthrop.

Sharon Robbins George, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Robbins of Dixfield, recently earned her Doctorate of Nursing Degree from the Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville. While a Ph.D. student at the Univ. of Tennessee, she received two scholarships and a federal traineeship grant.

Dr. George attended schools in Dixfield and graduated from Dirigo High School. She graduated from New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and Master in Nursing Degree from the Univ. of Washington, Seattle, Wash.

She currently teaches nursing at the Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville and continues diabetes research, which is partially funded by Signa Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.

Dr. George has presented her research at national and international nursing conferences. She will present research at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., in November and at the Southern Nursing Research Society in Memphis, Tenn., in February.

She is chairperson of the College of Nursing Curriculum Committee, secretary for Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Phi Chapter, and faculty sponsor for Omicron Delta Kappa, a multi-disciplinary honor society at the Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville. Dr. George is also on the board of directors for research at Sportsmed Orthopaedic Surgery and Spine Center in Huntsville, Ala., and is active in promoting breast cancer awareness with the American Cancer Society.


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