The Florida Department of Health issued the following news release:
Florida Board of Massage Therapy Executive Director Pamela King and Board Vice Chair Lynda Solien-Wolfe, L.M.T., have been selected by the Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) as 2006 recipients of statewide awards. King was honored with the Florida State Massage Therapy Association President's Award for her outstanding leadership as executive director of the Board of Massage Therapy. Solien-Wolfe received the Association's Charles Canfield Award for her dedication to the Board.
'I commend Pamela and Lynda for being acknowledged on a state level by the Florida Massage Therapy Association,' said DOH Secretary M. Rony Fran�ois, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D. 'Their recognition is a testimony of the continuing efforts of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and the Department of Health to promote quality health practices and protect patient and consumer safety.'
'Since Pam has been executive director of the Board of Massage Therapy, the relationship between the Florida State Massage Therapy Association and the Board of Massage has never been better,' said Immediate Past President of the FSMTA Mike McGillicuddy, L.M.T. 'I believe this cooperative effort helps improve the profession.'
McGillicuddy chose Solien-Wolfe for the Canfield Award due to her exceptional work on the Board of Massage Therapy. The Canfield Award was named after a special past member of the Board. It is only awarded to an outstanding member currently serving on the Board. In addition to being vice chair of the Board, Solien-Wolfe has served on the continuing education units review committee and is the current Board community outreach chair.
According to McGillicuddy, 'Solien-Wolfe has worked very hard to serve the Board and elevate the massage profession.'
The Board of Massage Therapy protects the health and safety of Florida's residents and visitors by establishing requirements for licensure and through diligent discipline of practitioners who violate practice acts defined by Chapters 112, 119, 120, 408, 456 and 480, Florida Statutes and Rule 64B-7, Florida Administrative Code. The legislative intent of the practice act is to ensure that every licensee practicing in the state of Florida meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The Board's responsibility is to ensure that licensees who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public are disciplined or prohibited from practicing in the state. The Board also establishes and monitors continuing education of licensees to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current.
The Department of Health's Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) plans, develops and coordinates programs and services for the Florida Board of Massage Therapy. The mission of MQA is to protect and promote the health of all persons in Florida by diligently regulating health care practitioners and facilities. MQA regulates more than 850,000 health care practitioners and facilities. MQA, in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, regulates more than 40 health care professions and six types of facilities. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity, and provides credential and disciplinary history about licensees to the public. Visit www.dohmqaservices. com for more information about MQA.Contact: Thometta Cozart, 850/245-4111.
Thometta Cozart, 850/245-4111.
