NCBTMB Welcomes Jill Berkana to its Board of Directors
Burr Ridge, Ill. | September 21, 2015
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced today the exciting addition of Jill Berkana to its Board of Directors. Elected by fellow National and Board Certificants, Berkana will serve a four-year term effective January 1, 2016.
With a decade of experience in education and program development, Berkana brings a fresh perspective to the NCBTMB Board of Directors as a fellow practitioner of 25 years, educator, and former private practice owner. As a member of the Board, Berkana wishes to inspire and participate in the actions of planning, implementation, and integration of new and established programs to support Board Certification, Approved Providers, Assigned Schools, specialties, research, and enhancing the role of massage therapy in integrative healthcare.
Board Chair, Dr. Leena S. Guptha, expressed her excitement as Berkana prepares to join the Board in early 2016. “Once again, the Elections Committee has presented the profession with a high caliber of candidates dedicated to defining and advancing standards,” commented Dr. Guptha. “With a decade of experience in education, I anticipate Jill will play an important role in NCBTMB’s movement toward specialties, degree programs, school outreach, and continuing education. Her ‘less talk, more action’ motto and well-established background are in perfect synergy with NCBTMB’s strategic plan, and further strengthens our ability to bring our envisioned future into reality.”
“It’s never been a better time to be a part of NCBTMB with our renewed relationships with key stakeholders, vast improvements to our operations, addition of international specialties, and growing partnerships with major healthcare organizations,” commented Steve Kirin, CEO. “Through all of these efforts and much more, our highly engaged Board and Executive Staff continue to do what is right for the profession. Jill’s impressive experience and can-do attitude will only further contribute to this positive momentum as we work to further define and advance standards.”
“I am delighted to join the Board of Directors,” expressed Berkana. “As an Assigned School owner, Approved Provider, and Board Certified Massage Therapist, I have been working with the NCBTMB for many years. Recently, I have experienced tremendous positive change with the Board, and I look forward to being a force in that renewed momentum. I am thrilled and honored to work beside some great leaders in our profession, and grateful for the opportunity to serve our beloved profession in this role.”
Each year, National and Board Certificants have the unique opportunity to elect a new member(s) to join the NCBTMB Board of Directors. The Board manages and directs the affairs of the National Certification Board, Board Certification, volunteer committees, publications and examinations. These members also govern NCBTMB’s policies and procedures. As an organization led by the profession and for the profession, each board member’s volunteer role is vital not only to the organization, but to the profession at large. Ultimately, those elected serve as a representation of the profession.
About Jill Berkana, LMT, BCTMB
Denver, Colorado
With over 25 years of experience as a massage therapy practitioner, Jill joins the Board of Directors as a current NCBTMB Assigned School Owner, Approved Provider for Continuing Education, and Board Certified Massage Therapist. She founded The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy in 2005, which she sold in 2011. Jill discovered her next mission and founded the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy in Denver, Colorado. Today, she remains the School Director, the Academic Dean, and provides strategic leadership for the Berkana Institute’s Academic Department. Jill is also a Chief Advisor for all Berkana Institute’s operational, student, and faculty affairs.
Jill is a graduate of the Boulder College of Massage Therapy.
About NCBTMB
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private, nonprofit organization founded in 1992. The mission of NCBTMB is to define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and bodywork profession. In support of this mission, NCBTMB serves the profession through Board Certification, an Approved Provider Program, and an Assigned School Code Program. For more information, please visit www.ncbtmb.org.