The 2008 AMTA Convention will include as a component of its overall program a Massage Therapy Foundation-sponsored massage research track spanning a poster session and five educational sessions.
For further details on the convention's program, inclusive of the massage research-specific sessions, please visit: http://www.amtamassage.org/education/NationalConvention2008.html
The Canadian Interdisciplinary Network for Complementary & Alternative Medicine Research (IN-CAM) announces its 5th Annual Research Consortium.
Call for Abstracts for Oral and/or Poster Presentations & Workshops: Submission Deadline—July 31, 2008. For more information and to download abstract submission form, please visit: http://incam.paralucent.com:81/index.php?id=19,0,0,1,0,0&menu=6 .
The Society for Integrative Oncology's (SIO) Fifth International Conference will include oral and poster presentations describing preclinical research, clinical trials, and clinical practice experience in the areas of integrative oncology including studies of natural products, acupuncture, massage, music therapy, mind-body medicine, and other areas of research. The 2008 meeting will have a principal, though not exclusive, focus on survivorship topics.
Call for Abstracts for Oral and/or Poster Presentations: Submission Deadline—August 1, 2008. For further details on the conference, please visit: http://www.cmbm.org/mind–body–medicine–EVENTS/SIO%20Brochure.pdf.
The Consortium of Academic Health Centers in Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM) is now accepting abstracts for their North American Research Conference on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Call for Abstracts: Submission Deadline—September 30, 2008. For further details on the conference and how to submit your abstract, please visit: http://www.imconsortium-conference.org/info/call–abstracts.php .
Recent basic and applied research and reviews in soft connective tissue sciences at all levels: Molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, compartment, and limb or truck and whole body . . . and in all disciplines: e.g. molecular biology, cytology, histology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, neurology, surgery. The conference will include: (a) Free oral and poster presentations of peer reviewed research. (b) Special panels and presentations will also address the research interests of clinical practitioners in acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, neuromuscular therapies, osteopathy, physiatry, physical therapy, sports medicine, structural bodywork and surgery. (c) Clinical practice techniques will be demonstrated at both podium and small group sessions aimed at bringing manual therapy clinicians and scientists together to enhance common research interests and communication. Call for Abstracts: Submission Deadline—February 15, 2009. For complete information, online registration, and paper submission, please visit: www.fasciacongress.org.
Obituary
Cynthia Delano Myers, PhD., L.M.T., Director of the Integrative Medicine Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, passed away on July 23, 2008, at home with her caretaker and loving partner of 13 years, Barbara Dawicke, and in the presence of her dear friend, Danaya Wright. Cynthia is survived by her sister Anne H. Blair of Flagstaff, Arizona; brother John E. Myers, of Davis California; four nephews; as well as many beloved friends in Florida, California, Colorado, Oregon, and other places across the United States and Canada. Her parents, Marilyn Blair Myers and Fred Myers predeceased her.
Cynthia, born in Ridgewood N.J., and raised in Utah, moved to California in the 1970s where she received her initial massage training in Larkspur, California, at Devta, a center for body awareness. She received her certification in Massage Therapy from the Boulder School of Therapy in 1982. From 1975-1994 she had a private massage therapy practice in California, Montana, and finally in Colorado under the name "Massage for Well-Being."
She attended the University of Colorado and graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1993 with a Bachelors of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, in Psychology and Women's Studies. In 1994 she was accepted into the Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Florida and moved to Gainesville, Florida where she met Barbara. While in the final year of the program, from 1998-1999, she completed an internship at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. She was awarded her Ph.D. in Psychology as a Clinical Health Psychologist, in 1999. Upon graduation she held and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the College of Dentistry at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
From 2001-2003, Cynthia was employed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Assistant Researcher III, in the Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, where she worked closely with Lonnie Zeltzer, M.D.
In 2004, Cynthia accepted a joint position as the founding Director of the Integrative Medicine Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa and Assistant Professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida.
During her career as a researcher, Cynthia initially examined gender differences in response to chronic pain. Later she focused on using massage therapy for the alleviation of chronic pain and distress in patients with life-limiting conditions, including sickle cell disease and cancer. She was the Principal Investigator on several research projects supported by federally-funded grants, collaborated with colleagues on numerous other projects and grants, and published numerous articles in top peer review journals in her field.
Cynthia was a life long student of spiritual development and most recently was enrolled in ministerial training through Religious Science International. She studied and practiced meditation and taught relaxation techniques. A fully developed person, Cynthia greatly valued music and the creative arts. She was a musician and singer, and while in Los Angeles was a member of the Agape Church Choir, under the direction of Rickie Byars. She was a lover of nature and happiest when she was enjoying the outdoors in the company of Barbara and friends.
Barbara would like to extend her deepest gratitude for the kindness and medical attention provided by the Moffitt Cancer Center nurses and physicians who treated Cynthia including Dr. Eleanor Harris, Dr. Robert Wenham, Dr. Sloan Karver, Dr. Sorin Buga, Dr. Marcia Humphrey, Joe Garrett, ARNP, and Dr. David Craig. She also wants to thank Cynthia's many Moffitt colleagues and friends who made this journey easier for both Cynthia and Barbara including Nancy Newman, Claire Jordan, Elaine Payne, all of the Integrative Medicine Program staff, Dr. Paul Jacobsen, the nurses on the fifth floor, and the Arts in Medicine musicians and artists. She thanks the Hospice nurses and staff who provided compassionate care; Carol Zukosky and Susan Clark for their spiritual assistance.
The Moffitt Cancer Center will hold a ceremony in honor of Cynthia's life on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Moffitt Cancer Center, Ted and Marty Couch Auditorium, Stabile Research Building, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa Florida 33612. A private celebration of Cynthia's life will be held for close friends and family on August 16, 2008 in McIntosh, Florida at the home of Danaya Wright and Kendal Broad-Wright.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made on behalf of Dr. Cynthia Delano Myers to the Integrative Medicine Program or the Arts in Medicine Program, Moffitt Cancer Center.
Executive Editor's Note
All of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Cynthia indeed mourn the loss of a cherished friend and deeply-respected colleague. Her affiliation with the Massage Therapy Foundation as a research grant recipient, donor, volunteer, and friend was an ongoing source of inspiration for all of us involved in advancing the massage and bodywork profession. Cynthia served for several years on the Foundation's Research Grant Review Committee, and played a strategic role in the Foundation's 2005 Highlighting Massage Therapy in CAM Research conference. In our efforts to develop and launch this journal, Cynthia enthusiastically embraced her role as a member of the journal's Manuscript Review Board. She will certainly be missed in more ways than we can actually imagine at this moment; however, the memory of her generous spirit and sensitivity to those in need remain as an ongoing gift to those touched by her life.
International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork—Volume 1, Number 1