Westside Tech graduate and recent Massage Therapist of the Year award-winner Diana Wassman (holding plaque) returned to Westside last week to share her professional advice and experience with students. Joining her in the classroom are (l-r) in front, Sherry Priester, Rosemary Starkey, Marie Vertus, Lorena Haynes (Westside massage therapy department instructor and chairperson), Mercedes Horner, Brittany Wadkins, Katy Jans; in back, Cathy Caine, Ashley Kilgore, Ariel Albani, Alecia Distin and Frank Squire.

Westside grad wins Massage Therapist of the Year award

Diana Wassman, a Clermont resident and graduate of Westside Tech's massage therapy program, was recently presented the Florida Chiropractors Association's Massage Therapist of the Year Award.

Wassman returned to Westside Tech last week to share her professional experiences and advice with the students at Westside's new and improved massage therapy facility.

After receiving massage therapy to treat injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 1998, Wassman said she felt compelled to become a professional massage therapist. The chiropractic care, along with the massage therapy she received, Wassman said, became the driving force in her career.

After graduating in 2001 from the Westside Tech 850-hour program, Wassman went on to study at the Upledger Institute, where she learned to specialize in lymphatic drainage. Wassman told the students last week that her work with lymphatic drainage has been especially helpful in treating cancer patients.

Wassman is also a certified lypossage practitioner and is entering her seventh year as an LMT. She now works in Clermont at the same chiropractic practice that treated her following the 1998 car accident.