We are proud to introduce the newest graduating class of the Arizona School of Medical Massage & Wellness!
After months of studying, practicing, testing, learning, laughing, supporting one another and putting in countless hours of hard work, this group has officially completed ASMMW’s 700-Hour Medical Massage & Wellness Program.
Graduation day gave us a chance to celebrate everything they accomplished, but looking through the photos afterward reminded us that this day represents so much more than completing a program.
These students arrived at ASMMW as individuals with different backgrounds, personalities and reasons for choosing massage therapy. They leave as trained massage therapists, friends, colleagues and members of a much larger professional community.
And judging by the graduation photos, we managed to get a few beautiful, serious pictures before everyone’s personalities took over!
From Classmates to Friends to Colleagues
Some of the most valuable things students gain in massage school aren’t listed in the curriculum.
Of course, they learn anatomy and physiology. They develop their hands. They learn pathology, assessment, critical thinking, communication and how to adapt massage to the individual in front of them.
But somewhere between the first day and graduation, something else happens.
You find your people.
Students spend months learning together, practicing on each other, encouraging one another, struggling through difficult material, celebrating successes and laughing through everything in between.
Classmates become friends. Friends become professional colleagues.
Those relationships can continue throughout their careers as they exchange ideas, refer clients, attend continuing education together, share opportunities and support one another as fellow massage therapists.
That is one of the things we love most about watching a class graduate.
Behind Every Graduating Class Are Great Educators
Students do the work, but they don’t make this journey alone.
Behind every graduating class are instructors who spend months teaching, demonstrating, correcting, encouraging, challenging and mentoring.
For this group, Richard, our Head Instructor, played an especially important role.
Richard wasn’t simply teaching massage techniques. He was helping these students develop confidence in their abilities, strengthen their hands-on skills, think critically and grow into professionals.
Graduation is a celebration of our students, but it is also an opportunity to recognize the educators who helped them reach this point.
Richard, thank you for the time, patience, knowledge and mentorship you invested in this class and for being such an important part of ASMMW.
A Professional Community That Extends Beyond Our Classroom
One of our goals at ASMMW is to connect students with the larger massage therapy profession.
Our graduates experienced that firsthand during their celebration.
Sandy Fritz joined us via Zoom to offer words of inspiration and wisdom to the class.
Then we had a wonderful surprise when Dr. Ross Turchaninov and Julia appeared in person to congratulate our graduates and speak to them.
Angel also joined us and shared words with the students as they prepared for the next chapter of their careers.
These moments matter.
Massage therapy education shouldn’t exist within the walls of a single school. Students benefit from exposure to experienced practitioners, educators, researchers, continuing education providers and other professionals who have devoted their careers to advancing massage therapy.
We want graduates to leave ASMMW understanding that they are now part of that community.
Thank You, Patty
Sometimes it’s the thoughtful details that make a celebration especially memorable.
A huge thank you to Patty for creating the custom mugs for our graduates!
It was such a thoughtful way to commemorate their accomplishment and give each graduate something they can take with them into the next chapter of their careers.
Thank you, Patty, for putting your time and creativity into making our students feel special and celebrated.
Thank You to Vinny’s for Helping Us Celebrate
After all that work, there was definitely reason to celebrate.
Thank you to Vinny’s Italian Sports Grill for hosting our graduation celebration and taking such great care of our graduates, families, instructors and guests.
The food was fantastic, the hospitality was wonderful, and we especially enjoyed celebrating with one of our neighboring businesses right by the school.
Community relationships matter to ASMMW, and we’re grateful to Vinny’s for helping us create such a memorable day for this class.
Graduation Isn’t the End of the Education
One of the messages we hope every graduate takes with them is simple:
Never stop learning.
That philosophy is also why continuing education has become such an important part of ASMMW.
Our 2026–2027 Continuing Education calendar brings massage therapists together with educators and organizations from throughout the profession for Medical Massage, PNMT, Anatomy Trains, Craniosacral Therapy, orthopedic and sports massage, Lomilomi, IMTA and many other learning opportunities.
We want ASMMW to remain a professional home where graduates and other massage therapists can return to learn, connect, grow and make a difference throughout their careers.
Explore the 2026–2027 ASMMW Continuing Education Calendar
One Class Graduates. The Next Journey Begins.
As we celebrate this class, we’re also preparing to welcome the next group of future massage therapists.
Enrollment is now open for our November 17, 2026 700-Hour Hybrid Medical Massage & Wellness Program.
The program meets Tuesdays from 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., one day per week for 39 weeks, combining concentrated hands-on education with the flexibility of hybrid learning.
Our goal isn’t simply to prepare students to qualify for licensure.
We want them to understand the body, develop strong hands-on skills, think critically, communicate professionally, recognize indications and contraindications, work with a variety of populations, collaborate with other professionals and develop the curiosity to continue learning throughout their careers.
And someday, it will be their graduation pictures we’re sharing.
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a massage therapist, this may be your time.
Call 800-615-1342 to schedule a tour or visit Arizona School of Medical Massage & Wellness to learn more.
More Than a Graduation
This graduation represents something much larger than the completion of 700 hours.
It represents another group of massage therapists entering our profession.
Our vision is to help transform massage therapy into a more fully integrated and respected healthcare profession by developing innovative educational programs, mentoring future educators and leaders, expanding access to high-quality massage therapy education, and fostering collaboration between massage therapists and other healthcare professionals.
Through education, community engagement and lifelong learning, we hope to inspire future generations of practitioners to elevate the profession and improve lives around the world.
To our newest graduates: Congratulations. We are proud of how far you’ve come, and we can’t wait to see where you take it from here.
Elevating Massage Therapy. Improving Lives.
Your Future Is in Good Hands!
