ATLANTA (July 13, 2006) - Atlanta School of Massage is once again helping to shape the future of the massage industry through its involvement in the newly formed Massage Therapy Board. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Melony Phillips-Gorin, faculty supervisor and instructor, Atlanta School of Massage, and Jane H. Johnson, Atlanta School of Massage graduate, to the newly formed Massage Therapy Board. These individuals will represent the consumer, massage therapy community and massage therapy schools as two of the five members of the state massage board.

Melony Phillips-Gorin is serving her second term as vice president of the governing board of the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools and previously chaired its ethics committee. Jane H. Johnson, former government relations' chairperson for the Georgia Chapter of The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), spearheaded the massage therapy board legislative efforts and has worked tirelessly in support of the Georgia Massage Therapy Practice Act, Bill SB110.

This important inaugural board will be responsible for upholding the legislation approved by the Georgia legislature for regulation of the therapeutic massage industry. The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy will set the tone for ethical, professional massage in the state and makes Georgia the 35th state to regulate massage therapy. Consumers will now have assurance that any licensed massage therapist has met the educational requirements posed by the state. Massage therapists should refer to the state website for important timelines regarding individual licensure - www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/search/sb110.htm.

A long time advocate of creating a regulatory body for the Massage Industry, Atlanta School of Massage has supported the effort to achieve this important milestone. Atlanta School of Massage is very proud to be associated with such dedicated individuals and will continue to be supportive of them in their new roles.