Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson, a certified athletic trainer who worked as the official athletic trainer for the United State Hockey Team in Lillehammer, Norway during the 1994 Winter Olympics, attended the Salt Lake campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy throughout 1999 and 2000. Michael graduated from the Professional Massage Therapy Program in March of 2000 then attended the Clinical Career Track, graduating in June of 2000. Prior to graduating, Michael contacted the University of Wisconsin Hospital in hopes of securing a position as both an athletic trainer and massage therapist. Not only was Michael offered a position with the hospital, but he also was asked to help create an effective massage program for the hospital and affiliated clinics.

Michael is currently working in the hospital as well as the University of Wisconsin Health Sports Medicine Center and Center for Mindfulness. He offers traditional Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy and Acupressure.

Michael sent the Salt Lake Career Services Department the following letter in October of 2000:

"As you know, I started as the first clinical massage therapist for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics [in Madison, Wisconsin] on August 8, 2000. I am a full-time, salaried employee with full benefits, including health insurance, paid vacation/sick leave, CEU money and pension. I see client/patients during regular business hours… I also spend two mornings a week at the [University of Wisconsin] Athletic Department’s Sports Medicine Center working with athletic trainers and their student-athletes. We’re confident that the massage therapy/bodywork program here will grow (I am booked solid each week now.)

Two months later, Michael sent the Salt Lake Career Service Department the following follow-up letter:

"Things here are going very well. I’m booked about 2-3 weeks in advance and have a healthy wait list. I’m seeing a variety of people, which I like, and am doing a lot of Cranial Sacral Therapy with excellent results."

Michael added that he and his supervisor were meeting with the CEO of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics to discuss "establishing an integrative medicine program for the institution" which would be built off of the existing massage program. Michael hopes to hire another UCMT graduate "in the near future!!"