ACC-Long Beach’s Lydia Tovar Named 2016 Successful Hands Grant Winner

Lydia Tovar, center, poses with ACC-Long Beach massage therapy program director Kara Mirachi and instructor Joseph Patti.

Lydia Tovar, a massage therapy student at American Career College-Long Beach, was one of eight students nationwide selected as a 2016 Successful Hands Grant Winner.

Tovar will receive a $1,000 cash grant, and ACC-Long Beach's massage therapy program will also receive a $500 cash grant and a $500 product package, which will be used by the program.

Tovar's 200-word essay on "What being a successful massage therapist means to me” was selected out of 780 other applicants.

"I believe that the most essential elements to becoming a successful massage therapist are passion, knowledge, compassion and integrity," Tovar wrote.

"Passion is indispensable; it is the integration of enthusiasm into what I do. Passion shows my dedication and willingness to go above and beyond what is required. It is important for my clients to see that massage therapy isn’t just what I do, but it’s part of who I am.

"Being knowledgeable allows me to share what I know with my clients and explain how massage therapy can be used for maintenance and preventive care. If they can understand how massage therapy benefits their health, they are more likely to utilize it.

"Compassion is the element that enables me to show genuine concern for my clients. When this takes place, I am able to develop a connection and learn their needs not only through what they say, but through what their body is telling my hands.

"Finally, integrity is a must-have whenever someone comes to me with their pain and trusts that I can help them feel better. Once a client goes on the table, it is my obligation to ensure that their health and safety come before my business."

The Successful Hands Grant Program is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Biofreeze, Massage Envy and Bon Vital.

In a press release for the grant, Lynda Solien-Wolfe, Vice President Massage and Spa, Performance Health shared, “As evidenced by the quality of the submissions we received, our future is in the hands of very passionate and talented individuals. Once again, it was truly a privilege to invest in these students’ futures through this collaborative grant program with Massage Envy."

Back to News

Take the first step toward your new career today.

Full Name*

Phone Number*

Email*

Program of Interest*

How did you find us?*

By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of any purchase. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required