October 29 - November 1, 2025

Washington, DC

28 CEs

Program Description

Healwell's Hospital Massage Therapy Stewardship Program is an intensive continuing education course in hospital-based massage therapy practice. The program includes online prerequisites covering key concepts of working in a clinical setting as well as four days of hands-on clinical practice working with patients on multiple units at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

This training teaches therapists how to apply critical thinking skills and how to safely work with any patient, regardless of diagnosis. Therapists also learn the many facets of professional and practical excellence in a clinical environment.

The Stewardship consists of online and in-person modules. All online modules must be completed before stewards can participate in the four-day in-person module. Register for the online modules separately here.

*Please Note: You must have a current flu shot and all available COVID vaccinations and boosters to participate in this program, as well as complying with the hospital's vaccination requirements.

Approved for Continuing Education

*Please note: In order to be eligible for CE credit, you must register with your full name (as it appears on your professional license) and your license state and number.

This course is currently under review by NCBTMB for 28 CEs

Instructor

Class Dates & Location

DATES/TIMES:
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Saturday, November 1, 2025
8:30am – 4:30pm each day

LOCATION:
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St NW
Washington, DC 20010

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 24TH

Register Now

COURSE TUITION

We Believe in Options

At Healwell, we are dedicated to addressing inequities. As you engage with our programs, we invite you to see your participation as an investment. Consider what you can contribute financially and how it aligns with your values.
Your support helps create a more equitable future for all.

Standard Tuition

$915.00

Three Month Payment Plan

$305 x 3 months

Pay It Forward

$1,098.00

Equity

$640.00

Cancellation Policy

Please read CAREFULLY.

Included in the course tuition is a non-refundable $100 registration fee.  If you cancel or withdraw from a course 30 days prior to the course start date you will be refunded your full tuition less the $100 registration fee.  If you cancel or withdraw from a course fewer than 30 days (but more than one week) prior to the course start date you will be refunded 50% of your tuition less the $100 registration fee.  If you cancel or withdraw from a course fewer than 7 days prior to the course start date your tuition will be non-refundable.

In the event of proper documentation of medical emergency, death in the immediate family, or weather prohibiting travel your entire tuition (including the registration fee) may be allowed to be rolled over to a workshop at a later date.  This special consideration will be allowed one time only at the discretion of the instructor.

If a course is cancelled due to low enrollment your tuition (including the registration fee) will be refunded in full.

About

Meet Laura Bryant-Earner, Lead Instructor

Laura is Healwell's Service Director and a member of the curriculum development team. As Healwell’s Service Director, Laura coordinates, supervises, and provides care for Healwell’s hands-on programs and cultivates and strengthens relationships with medical and administrative staff.

Laura has been a practicing massage therapist since 2018 and a manual lymph drainage therapist since 2019. Before becoming a licensed massage therapist, Laura taught English in Japan for 19 years. It was in massage school that she heard of something called “oncology massage” and felt drawn to it. Passionate about learning, Laura has continued her advanced training in the fields of oncology massage, scar tissue manipulation and manual lymph drainage. She has provided massage in a variety of settings including corporate, private practice and spas. Because of her own massage experiences, Laura appreciates how massage can play a supportive role in healthcare and the journey that is being human.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you have been accepted to the Stewardship Program you will receive an information packet with detailed instructions about travel, lodging, required reading, uniform, vaccinations, etc.

The stewardship is designed for practicing, licensed/certified massage therapists with at least one year of experience* who want to cultivate greater presence, confidence and clinical skill providing massage therapy in the hospital setting. This is an advanced course for massage therapists who want to challenge themselves in a uniquely supportive educational environment.



(*If you are interested in applying to the Stewardship, but have less than one year of experience practicing massage therapy, contact us for details.)

We expect our stewards to possess outstanding professionalism, integrity and communication as well as uncommon compassion. It is our responsibility to our profession to challenge massage therapists to achieve unparalleled clinical excellence and also to ensure that only practitioners with strong intellectual, physical and emotional capabilities touch patients, families and staff as part of this program. Practitioners will need clear boundaries, compassion, strong communication skills and clinical judgment, physical and emotional stability and adaptability.


You must be able to perform the essential functions of a massage therapist including standing for as long as three hours at a time without additional support.


Fluency in written and spoken English is essential to patient safety and successful completion of the program. In some cases, a prospective steward may be asked to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination.


Please contact [email protected] if you have questions about accommodations or modifications that might be necessary in order for you to participate fully.

Stewards are expected to act in a professional, responsible and safe manner at all times. It is also essential that you come prepared to have fun and to be surprised. Bring your hands, your love, your brain and your curiosity. At the end of our four days together you will have made new friends and participated in an experience that is likely to transform you practice, whether you dive into hospital massage with both feet or return to private practice.

All online modules must be completed before stewards can participate in the four-day in-person module.

Applicants offered admission to Healwell’s Hospital Massage Therapy Stewardship Program must comply with MedStar’s standard human resources policies and procedures for staff who will come into direct contact with patients regarding:

  1. immunization (Healwell’s program administrators will review the specifics with you as the start date of your cohort approaches); 
  2. background check; 
  3. proof of professional liability/malpractice insurance. 

Questions about these requirements can be directed to [email protected]. Failure to comply or to provide requested documentation is grounds for rescinding an admission offer or terminating admission. 

PLEASE NOTE:  You must have an up-to-date flu shot and all available COVID vaccinations and boosters to participate in this program.

Yes. Healwell Stewards must comply with MedStar’s standard human resources policies and procedures for staff who come into direct contact with patients. The policies include up-to-date flu shots and immunizations.

Yes. You really need to get a flu shot.

You must have an up-to-date flu shot to participate in this program. There are no exceptions.

Stewards are required to purchase two sets of scrubs* (two pants; two tops). The tops must be powder or ceil blue. The pants should be citron/sunflower/sunshine/daisy/lemon yellow. (Please no neon or yellow/green.)

You will also need closed-toe shoes that would resist a puncture from a falling needle and that will be comfortable during hours of standing. Vibram “Five Fingers” and the like are not acceptable. Clogs, hospital Crocs and other options are available for purchase through the websites where you will find your scrubs. If you already own acceptable shoes, there is no need to purchase shoes specifically for the course.

*NOTE: It is important that you purchase the correct color scrubs as these colors distinguish us within the hospital from other members of the healthcare team. You will find many brands with a yellow option. You may purchase these, but please no neon. Sunflower, sunlight, daisy, lemon are all acceptable. Again, you will also find a variety of blue options.  You may also find it helpful to choose pants and tops that have multiple pockets. Many standard, cheaper scrubs will have only one pocket or even no pockets. You will be glad you spent an extra $5 for options with more pockets. Be sure to check sizing charts as each company has its own style and sizing. You’ll be living in these scrubs for several days, so you want them to be comfortable and useful. 

Healwell measures Stewards’ assimilation and integration of the experience and material through a variety of avenues.

The Stewardship experience is highly interactive. Stewards work closely with instructors and have an ongoing opportunity to receive feedback and participate actively in the learning process. This openness and the tools mentioned above allow faculty to provide the appropriate support, resources and mentorship to Stewards, as needed.  You will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course.

There are no written tests.

Other courses you might find interesting.

Massage Therapy in the Clinical Setting: Starter Pack

This bundle will give you a basic introduction to the skills and challenges of working in a clinical setting.

Learn More

The Lymphatic System

Learn the anatomy, physiology, functions and dysfunctions of the Lymphatic System. Explore massage considerations for clients with compromised Lymphatic Systems.

Learn More

Killer MTs: What You Don't Know About Cancer Can Be Dangerous

Learn the three essential and common grave risk factors for clients affected by cancer.

Learn More