Administration...

Maria Ferguson, President, Education Director
Maria, the school owner, entered the field of health care in 1975. The Hudson Valley School of Massage Therapy is the fulfillment of her dream of creating a school to train compassionate, caring massage therapists. She is also director and owner of the Hudson Valley School of Aesthetics, which she founded in 1998. Maria is certified with Title IV Federal Student Aid Funding and our accrediting agency NACCAS.
 

Rosanna Tudisco, Director
Rosanna brings with her an Associates degree in Business Administration. Rosanna is certified by the United States Department in Title IV Funding. She is also licensed by the New York State Education Department as a School Director and a School Agent. Rosanna is certified by our accrediting agency in their workshop trainings. Skilled in enrollment of students, she also works with planning your busy life as you strive to improve your student goals.

Jenny Fox, BA, AOS, LMT
Jenny graduated from the University of Albany with a BA in Psychology in 1996. She attended massage school at the New Center College for Holistic Health Center and Research and graduated in 1999. Since then, Jenny has been practicing massage privately and working in a variety of settings including doctor's offices, massage therapy centers, holistic health centers, and spas. She was a director of a holistic health spa in Kingston, NY from 2001-2002. She is certified in Pre-Natal Massage and La Stone Therapy and also specializes in Amma Therapeutic Massage, an oriental acupressure technique, and aromatherapy, and Reiki.

Thomas Farruggella, MS, ND- Head of Science Department
Tom has more than 25 years research experience in the areas of biochemistry, pharmacology and molecular biology. Teaching since 1999, he received his degree in naturopathy in 1992. Tom also is a science professor at Marist college.

Mark Nelson, BS, DPM
Dr. Nelson double-majored in chemistry and physics at SUNY Albany followed by 4 years at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine where he received his D.P.M. Married with 3 children, Mark owns an Orthopedic Laboratory, fabricating prescription footwear in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Paul Barrie, Chiropractor
Recently moved to the Hudson Valley from New York City, Paul joins the science department offering his skills and knowledge to the students attending the HVSMT.

Darlene Bates, LMT, PT A recent graduate of HVSMT, Darlene has returned to teach other students. She brings with her over 19 years of experience in the healthcare field, providing physical therapy treatments. She has had extensive training working with the elderly, developmentally disabled and athletic populations. She enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and experiences. She is passionate about her professions as well as treating the "whole person", not just the "condition".

Keith Bennet, LMT
A 2006 graduate of HVSMT, Keith joins the techniques department offering his skills and knowledge to the students attending HVSMT. He is employed at River Rock Spa in Woodstock.

Ani Kaiser, LMT
Ani is a graduate of the Swedish Institute and has been a licensed massage practitioner for four years. She has worked on a widely varied client base both privately and for a number of spas and wellness centers. She also holds a B.A. in Photography from Simon's Rock College of Bard and takes pictures in her spare time.

Sean O'Brien, LMT
Sean is a graduate of HVSMT. He has experience working with clients suffering from conditions such as scoliosis, depression, spinal misalignment, and muscle tear/spasm. He considers the learning of new information just as important for a highly skilled, educated professional as it is for a new student.

Rebeccah Plant, LMT
Graduated from the Connecticut School of Massage Therapy and employed as a massage therapist in the Saugerties Health Care Center since 2001.

Craig Van Etten
A 2007 graduate of HVSMT, Craig joins the techniques department offering his skills and knowledge to the students attending HVSMT. Trained by a Qigong Master in Woodstock, NY, he now conducts private lessons in Kingston and Saugerties, NY, incorporating Qigong into his massage therapy practices.