Randy Swenson, DC, dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences at National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), has recently been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA).

Dr. Swenson has been a site-team member, site-team leader and off-site peer reviewer with COMTA since 2006. His current term as commissioner will expire in 2012.

Members of the commission serve on a volunteer basis and can include educators, health professionals, administrators, and members of the public. COMTA sets and enforces standards for accrediting massage therapy schools, and its commissioners and executive committee members are responsible for site visits, accreditation decisions, and ongoing commission duties. COMTA staff offices are located in Washington, DC.

“I am especially happy to serve in this position as it will allow me to participate in the management of the commission itself, as well as participate in the organization’s interaction with and recognition by the U.S. Department of Education,” says Dr. Swenson.

Dr. Swenson developed National University’s Massage Therapy Certification Program in 1999 and continues to manage the operations of the program, as well as all other programs in the College of Allied Health Sciences. He holds a doctor of chiropractic degree from NUHS and a master of health professions education from the Department of Medical Education of the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has led NUHS steering committees for Higher Learning Commission Self-Study Reports (SSR) and Commission on Chiropractic Education SSRs. He has also led and written COMTA SSRs for the massage program at National University.

“This is an honor and we congratulate and thank Dr. Swenson for serving the massage therapy profession in this capacity,” says President James Winterstein of NUHS.