Educational Programs

A major component of Crouse Hospital’s Institute for Integrative Medicine is educating the public and healthcare providers about the benefits of complementary treatments to reduce pain, decrease stress and enhance well-being.

The Integrative Health Professional Development Program provides continuing education classes for healthcare professionals such as massage therapists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and other allied health professionals. It provides community outreach & co-curricular activities that help educate our patient and public communities about Integrative Health benefits, methodology, and practices.

Community Education

The community education program is designed to create awareness of Integrative Health and Wellness in our local Central New York community. We aspire to teach our healthcare partners, our patient community, and our public community about Integrative Health benefits, methodology, and practices.

The mechanisms we utilize include: providing lectures, demonstrations, samples of services at events, partnerships with the Crouse Spirit of Women program, visiting patient support groups to provide instructions and examples of integrative modalities, and providing referrals for our patient and community populations.

Current community programs and post-class experiential learning include:

• Breast Cancer Patient Support Program
• Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Support Group
• Veterans Massage Program

Continuing Education

Continuing education in major professional development areas are designed to correlate with the expectations of the New York State Office of Professions and all partner professional organizations, including the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and the American Massage Therapy Association New York State Chapter.

The major professional development areas include: integrative health sciences, professional development, skill development, and clinical science.

Major programs of study are:

• Massage Therapy Continuing Education Program – This program is designed to meet New York State’s requirements for licensed massage therapists. Through working with partners such as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, the American Massage Therapy Association New York Chapter, and Clear Path for Veterans, we offer and host several classes and clinical experiences. The classes support professional and skill development based on methodology while working with patients with specific needs.
• Physical Therapy Continuing Education Program – This program is designed to meet New York State’s requirements for NYS licensed physical therapists. Classes include: Gross Anatomy, Cupping Massage, Advanced Massage Techniques for the Upper Extremity, and Advanced Massage Techniques for the Lower Extremity.