Massage Therapy Alumna Spotlight: Trista Kucewicz ’14, AAS, LMT

Trocaire College alumna Trista Kucewicz ’14, AAS, LMT, graduated from the Massage Therapy program in 2014 and is currently employed at Blu Spa & Salon in West Seneca. Program Director Rachel Ersing, DC, MBA, LMT recently caught up with Trista and learned about her massage career and how Trocaire helped her achieve it. Read more below!

Why did you choose massage therapy?

I wanted to help people feel better and had an interest in healthcare and anatomy and physiology.

What made you choose Trocaire initially?

I wanted to earn a degree, and Trocaire was highly recommended to me and had a good reputation. I did my research and learned that it also had a high board exam pass rate. Trocaire also had more to offer in terms of financial aid options than a clock hours program, meaning my education had less out-of-pocket cost.

Why was Trocaire the right fit for you?

I liked learning about massage in medical settings and seeing the role of massage in healthcare through the college’s externship experiences at locations such as Hospice Buffalo, Depew Health Center and Roswell Park.  My career began in a medical massage setting, which can be intimidating for a new therapist. I felt confident and prepared largely due to the clinical experiences I had as a student at Trocaire.

Any advice to students or new massage therapists?

Everyone works differently. Every type of massage is different. Try new things until you find what is right for you.

Favorite aspect of massage therapy?

Massage therapy is very fulfilling. Even if patients are in pain when they come in, they are smiling when they leave.

Favorite aspect of working in a spa?

Most of my time has been spent focusing on medical massage, so I’m new to the spa environment, but I’m enjoying the calming, peaceful atmosphere and working with her new colleagues.