UCHA alumni and students have a reputation for excellence. Their many accomplishments include earning the school the designation of “BEST MASSAGE" by the Reader s Choice Awards. As we build upon this reputation for excellence, we continuously improve a program which offers you an introduction to various hands-on techniques and which exposes you to the many aspects of the massage therapy business. We emphasize quality. We allow for a diversity of learning experiences (both in and out of the classroom) as we introduce you to a variety of instructors. UCHA is committed to educating the most professional, ethical, caring, open-minded, balanced and responsible adults.
Our success is due to the simple formula of placing students in a small class with some of the most experienced instructors available. The heart of our program (the Massage Theory & Practice class) is taught by Paulette Genthon, MA, LMT, a massage therapist with over 30 years experience in Health Education. She has a Masters Degree in Adult Education. As a massage therapist for over 25 years, Paulette and a team of instructors create a nurturing and caring learning environment for adults who are either returning to school or beginning new careers. Paulette is one of the founders, and is the director/owner of the Universal College of Healing Arts.
Busy adults appreciate the school’s professional teaching staff and the flexible classroom hours. Full-time, part-time, day or evening, and a blended program of online instruction with weekend intensives for hands-on components are available. UCHA students become prepared to build successful massage therapy practices while balancing their home and work commitments. Our classes enrich the body, mind, and spirit. Students testify to how UCHA makes a difference.
Students enjoy the balance between academics and hands-on experiences in the real world. Besides time for classroom studies, there is time for practicing massage therapy in the community. Students may practice massage in settings such as hospitals, physician offices, day spas, health clubs, or existing massage clinics. The business course includes spending time with successful massage therapists in the community.
If you like how UCHA sounds, you may return an application form today. We tend to fill up classes quickly-sometimes a year in advance-due to the growing level of interest in the exceptional learning experiences at UCHA. You too may become one of our proud alumni.
- Provide a small, nurturing, learning environment. Through small classes students reap the benefits of a mentoring, or apprenticeship-style, learning.
- Employ the most experienced and professional instructors available. This ensures that students receive the strongest foundation possible for beginning their careers.
- Include the rich educational resources in the community. A community-based approach to education includes introducing students to expert guest instructors, visiting various settings, which incorporate massage, and introducing students to the practice of massage at hospitals, chiropractic clinics, nursing homes, physician offices, and other locations in the community.
- Practice progressive teaching methods, which respect the various learning styles of adult students. The school employs professional educators who have the expertise to meet the various needs of students.
- Promote high ethical standards and professional conduct required of a health care profession.
- Emphasize the importance of community service. The school is dedicated to community education and promoting the professional standing of massage therapy as a health care modality that collaborates with other professionals.
- Apply all profits to continuously improving the program as conceptualized when the school began as a non-profit corporation.
- Emphasize the importance of transformational learning and personal wellness.
- Deconstruct teacher authority and have students become authority of their own knowledge.
- Individuals who wish to develop their natural healing abilities.
- Individuals in transition who wish to create or expand their own healing arts business.
- Health care professionals who want to add massage therapy to their practice.
- Open Mindedness
- UCHA maintains an open mind toward exploring all modalities and methods, which further healing. We believe in a Holistic approach to wellness and we possess an open mind toward exploring all dimensions of life and the healing arts (i.e., the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual). We possess an openness to progressive teaching methods, meditation and new experiences.?
Justice, Balance & Respect- UCHA provides an atmosphere, which welcomes a diversity of cultures and backgrounds. UCHA works to restore a balance of wellness within our communities, our world, and ourselves. We recognize the need to restore a respected place in society for all people. We are able to create a welcoming environment (through our attitudes and actions) for people of all races, nationalities, sexes, religions, and sexual orientations. Our beliefs affirm the self-respect, dignity and self-esteem of all people.?
Responsibility- UCHA is made up of adults who are responsible to the community and responsible for their own goals and actions, Since each individual knows best how s/he needs to learn, that individual is responsible for their own learning and for communicating their needs, desires and questions. We will each actively communicate with others toward creating a healthy learning environment. We will communicate directly and honestly with one another.?
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 N.
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
(703) 917-9503 Fax 703-917-4109
info@abhes.org
UCHA ‘s curriculum is recognized by most other licensing states, including Iowa.
UCHA has an agent’s permit issued by the Commissioner of Education for the State of Nebraska.
The school is a member of the Nebraska Council of Private Post-secondary Career Schools.
Besides meeting the standards required by the State of Nebraska, the school is an institutional Member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). ABMP members are required to maintain the highest standards of educational and professional conduct and strictly adhere to the ABMP code of ethics. The school has met specific eligibility requirements based on curriculum offered and compliance with state and local regulations. UCHA has been selected the last 8 years to participate in a national massage therapy school issues forum sponsored by ABMP.
UCHA has been recognized for providing community service to many organizations.
- “Since I first received information. I have felt drawn. I know you are the place where I would feel at home. I need an environment that will allow me to grow not only professionally but personally. UCHA hits that head on…?Kevin Costello, applicant.
“UCHA is not just a school to learn the art and science of massage therapy - it is, for sure, the best at teaching that, but as another student said so well, ‘you taught me about life.’ I have seen many people blossom under your mentoring and become not only good massage therapists but also loving and compassionate people with much to give.“– Regina Marchio-Browning, RN, graduate.
"I'm proud to say I'm a graduate of UCHA where they care about you even after you graduate. May you 'live long and prosper'."– George Cwack.
The College is located in the Historic Florence District of Omaha.The Healing Arts Store is located on-site and is open to the public as well as students. Students can purchase their books, oils and other supplies at the store.
After 10 years of being in the Dundee Area at 50th and Dodge the College relocated to 8702 N 30th St. in December of 2005 to Omaha’s oldest community: the Florence District has more historic sites and historical markers per square mile than any other area in Nebraska.
The College building, at the corner of 30th and Clay Streets, is a completely remodeled, 12,500 square foot brick building originating in the 1920’s. The facility offers a full massage clinic with eight private treatment rooms, business offices, classrooms and even a gymnasium. The building also contains a Conference Center used both for movement classes and regional workshops. There is an abundant library and computer lab with full internet access, and a student lounge and kitchen area with refrigerator and warming appliances.
The entire building is wheelchair accessible.
There is plenty of street parking and additional parking arrangements have been made with neighboring businesses until our new parking lot is completed in the Spring of 2006.
The College is close to Neal Woods Nature Center, the Mormon National Monument, and the campus of the Notre Dame Sisters. It is across the street from the Florence Public Library and Recreation Center, City Park and a popular local Bowling Alley. There are a variety of friendly eating establishments and quaint shops near us along the main street of the Downtown Florence Area.
8702 N.30th Street is just 3 blocks South from Interstate 680. This is the last exit (#13) before the Mormon Bridge over the Missouri River, or the first exit entering Nebraska from the East (Iowa).
Paulette serves as the college’s Executive Director. She has been in the field of massage therapy for over 24 years and in health education for over 30 years. After designing massage therapy programs for other schools, she saw an explicit need to form a non-profit organization to serve the educational needs of the community. In 1995 she began our program. She has a Masters in Adult Education from National Louis University and a Bachelors of Science Teaching Degree in Health Education from the University of Nebraska. Paulette has taught at the university, secondary, and massage therapy vocational settings. She has experience in both Vocational and Personal Effectiveness Counseling. She has been working on the design and implementation of the blended program’s online components since 2000. Paulette specializes in massage for persons with special needs (i.e., maternal/labor coach massage, children, elders, individuals with fibromyalgia, etc) Her position at the school includes managing all aspects of the school and mentoring the staff and students as they grow in their confidence and skills. She continues to teach the Fundamentals of Massage in the Massage Theory and Practice 101 Class.
Jeanne Barzydlo LPN, LMT- Clinic Supervisor, Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology Online Instructor (full time)
With experience in Adult Education gained through teaching tutor training with the Omaha Literacy Council and being a Licensed Practical Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist, Jeanne combines her knowledge to facilitate students moving in the direction of unconditional acceptance and continuous improvement. Jeanne is currently advancing her studies in adult education at the College of St. Joseph’s in Maine and seeking ways to apply bodywork to benefit the overall health of individuals in all strata of society. She has been assisting in the design and instruction of the online components of the blended program since January of 2003.
Erika Schweikert, AAS, LMT – Integrated Anatomy & Treatment Instructor, and CEU (full time)
Erika Schweikert, brings her scholarly focus and enthusiasm to her teaching in the Integrated Anatomy &
Treatment Class. She also shares the tasks of Clinic Supervisor and monitors the Complementary
Therapy class papers. She is performing another important role in testing students who have completed
the Massage Theory and Practice class for their readiness to begin performing massages in the Student
Clinic. Erika was part of the first Associates Degree class at UCHA. Growing a massage practice, she
incorporates Swedish Massage and Myofascial Release Techniques to assess, identify needs and treat
each client with a massage customized just for them. She continues to develop professionally and strives
to bring compassion into action in all areas of her life.
Jill Murray, LMT – Community Service Coordinator and Business Arts Instructor (full time)
Jill practiced massage full time in Fremont for 6 years in a chiropractic clinic including techniques of
Swedish massage, Myofascial Technique, Craniosacral Technique, Chair Massage and Hot Stone Therapy.
She performs multiple tasks as Clinic Supervisor, Community Service Coordinator and Business Arts
Instructor. Her openness and positive attitude make her ideally suited to helping students connect with
their dreams and intentions in the massage profession.
Nichols Schnell, Clinical Herbalist, AHG, RH, RD, LMNT –
Eastern A & P, Traditional Chinese Medicine Instructor
(Part time)
Nicholas is a local clinical herbalist. Possibly the only one in Nebraska, he is blazing a trail and strives to embody the traditional healer in a modern, successful clinical practice. A Registered Dietician and Medical Nutritional Therapist conferred by Southwest Texas State University, Nicholas is Founder and Director of the Four Winds Natural Healing Center and Clinical Preceptor at Creighton University Medical Center's Class on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Medical Students. Nicholas guides our students through the new perspectives found in Eastern Five Element Theory and the Meridians giving them a firm foundation and providing a warm and caring example of a holistic healer.
Paulette Genthon,MA, LMT, Owner* |
Patty Grant-Eden, LC, MT* |
Corey Nevels, MA* |
Tom Harmon, PC* |
Benjamin Nevels, CA* |
Dr. Mark Goodman, MD |
Regina Marchio-Browning, RN |
Paula Cellar, MS MA |
Sally Turco, BS, LMT |
Cheryl Lee, CLA, BA, LMT* |
Thomas Zimmer, MS |
Harlan Chamberlain |
Jeanne Barzydlo, LPN, LMT |
Tom Bockes, MA |
A student representative in the second/third semester of learning will be nominated by the student body to serve on the UCHA Advisory Board. The student body will vote on the person to represent them and occupy that position on the Advisory Board. This student will bring suggestions and comments from the students to the Board. When the student representative graduates, an election will be held for a new representative at the beginning of the next semester.