Dr. Heather Thom Scholarship

Heather was a massage therapist for 25 years and a massage educator for nearly 20 years. In addition to being a massage therapist, she earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2002 from Northwestern Health Sciences University.

She was passionate about massage therapy and a caring and inspirational instructor. During the last three years of her career, she taught and served as Dean of Students at the Academy of Health massage program (this was a part-time position that she did as a labor of love in addition to her full-time work). She also volunteered as the President of The American Massage Therapy Association – Wisconsin Chapter.

To continue Dr. Heather Thom’s legacy of selfless service and compassion, the Academy along with Heather’s family and friends has established a scholarship in her honor. An ongoing scholarship will be offered to one student for each incoming class at the Academy of Health in Heather's memory.

Here is what one of her graduates had to say: "I graduated from the Academy of Health in December 2022, I am honored to have had Dr. Heather Thom as my instructor. Dr. Heather has been an exceptional instructor for anatomy and massage who is passionate about helping others. She has been a strong advocate in helping me learn anatomy and massage all while helping me network finding a successful career as a therapist."

The student will be selected by a scholarship committee based on a one-page essay. The essay should include why the student wants to become a massage therapist and how the future therapist plans to give back to the community. Examples include volunteering for the American Massage Therapy Association – Wisconsin Chapter or offering massages to an underserved population. The Academy will provide a mentor to the scholarship recipient to help them achieve their service goals toward the conclusion of the program.

To apply for the scholarship complete your one-page essay meeting the above description and email. The scholarship recipient will be selected by the committee and announced at the first day of class.

Dr. Jeffrey Montoya & Matthew Werlein have created a new scholarship to promote diversity at Academy of Health and in the massage therapy profession.

Estimates of licensed massage therapists (LTMs) by race  indicate in the United States: 74.7% of LMTs are white, 9.8%  are Hispanic, 9.8%  are Asian, 3.8% are African American, and

less than half a percent are Native Americans.

Dr. Montoya treasures his Hispanic and Native American heritage.  However, he understands the barriers to educational access that individuals who are minorities may face. Both Jeffrey and Matthew have been proud members of the LGBT+ community and, as such, know what it is to experience inequality. 

Ethnic minority students and LGBT+ students may apply for this scholarship. One or more students may receive the scholarship each year based on scholarship fund availability. Eligibility  is determined with preference to the most under-represented groups and impact the scholarship will make on the students ability to attend massage school.

The scholarship application is a short online form. Students may apply for both the Diversity Scholarship and the Dr. Heather Thom scholarship.