Piscataway, NJ - May 06, 2004 – With two campuses in Piscataway and Wall Township, NJ, the Somerset School of Massage Therapy (SSMT) has been serving multiple communities for over 19 years. As the first massage therapy school approved by the New Jersey Department of Education , SSMT has consistently produced quality graduates who work within the community, providing therapeutic massage to the town's residents.

Today, SSMT is proud to be part of Cortiva Institute, a nationwide community of nine prestigious and well-established massage schools. Cortiva's goal is to provide the highest standards of excellence in massage therapy education. Cortiva schools have established benchmarks of quality in all aspects of training and practices, producing qualified professionals with the necessary skills for a career in the profession of massage therapy. "We are excited to join Cortiva Institute," said Rhonda Brunelle, President of SSMT. "With the dedication, experience and resources of the Cortiva community, we can now offer our students and alumni both an outstanding education and a national network of career opportunities.

Cortiva Institute offers unique programs that are not merely about education - they are about a way of life. By moving beyond traditional vocational school teaching styles and focusing on the special values of the wellness profession, Cortiva aims to produce graduates that understand the humane side of massage therapy. This philosophy integrates one's personal and professional life, providing a fuller, more enriching experience.

Cortiva looks to expand its focus on humanity beyond its schools through charitable and humanitarian goals within the communities it serves. SSMT has always been involved in community outreach, such as its work with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital , where massage students work on a volunteer basis with cancer patients. "We can look forward to continue this work and now with the support from Cortiva, build on this program and further develop new programs to help our community," Ms. Brunelle added.

The community of schools prides itself on forming relationships with students that extend beyond graduation to create a partnership throughout their careers. By offering more resources than traditional massage therapy schools, Cortiva helps students and graduates grow and realize their full potential. SSMT students and graduates will now benefit from the wealth of information found at the Cortiva Web site, Cortiva.com including:

• Interactive tools to help with career placement and counseling
• Exclusive online business courses from eCornell to help develop skills for success as a career-minded employee, private practitioner or small business owner
• deep - a bimonthly publication serving as a forum for ideas, trends and research
• ShopCortiva - an outlet for quality massage supplies at a discount to students and alumni
• The 2006 Graduate Series - a series of free continuing education workshops to develop additional skills and help comply with license requirements
• The Job Board - a web-based interface exclusive to Cortiva that is already matching thousands of jobs across the country with Cortiva's alumni

Any school can teach technique, but in the field of massage therapy it is important to work with a school that is a touch above; one that combines science and spirit. Cortiva Institute and its community of schools, including Brenneke, understands that only credible expertise and a holistic education using the combination of body, soul and mind will ensure graduates are adequately prepared to work in the field they love.