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The Clinic

VISION STATEMENT
   Hygeia Therapies will become an exclusive center for evidence-based healing arts through massage and body work therapies and complementary wellness services and products.​

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MISSION STATEMENT
Hygeia Therapies will be a specialized center established to help clients live healthier lives by providing massage therapies and other alternative healing interventions tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the whole family.  We will create a relaxing, friendly, functional, charming environment to entice our clients into an innovative educational experience of unyielding quality.

We will develop our practice following these principles:

    -Knowledge is an advantage: relevant information helps our clients to make healthier choices.  

    - A professional and friendly environment will build loyalty and trust among clients and within the community.

    -By constantly setting new trends we will inspire our clients to live healthier, happier lives. Our alternative therapies will help our clients achieve strength and greatness within.

Ana-Maria Serrano

I have a broad background in health and wellness in the United States and international settings. I have in-depth understanding of holistic approaches to achieve and maintain health and personal balance. Prior to my work as a therapist I worked as Medical Doctor involved in academic, research, and international health consulting.  This experience asserted my personal approach to life and to be a passionate, results-oriented health professional with a strong client focus. My life’s common thread has been serving and caring for others. This is why, for me, helping people to manage pain, particularly chronic pain and discomfort is a meaningful and rewarding endeavor. I am a therapist because I love to.

I was born in Quito, Ecuador and moved to the United States. I have traveled and work in numerous countries across all continents, except for Australia. I am interested in languages. Besides my fluent Spanish and English, I can communicate in Italian and French and I understand Portuguese. I love learning! My favorite topics are science, arts, geography. I enjoy canoeing, kayaking, mountain climbing, archery, hiking, basketball and soccer. I love arts, traveling, dancing, painting, jewelry design/making, cooking, gardening, and sewing. I have no time to get bored!

 

PROFILE

 

Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage with extensive professional experience in numerous soft-tissue modalities. Formerly a Medical Doctor with a Master’s Degree in Public Health and post-graduate studies in Toxicology and Risk Assessment with broad international and domestic experience in project management, monitoring, evaluation and health-risk communication.  Academic teaching experience in the United States (Toxicology, Qualitative Research Methods, International Health) and internationally (Cost Analysis in Health Programs and Design, Evaluation and Implementation of Health Projects) as well as design and implementation of scientific, epidemiological and qualitative research including peer review of scientific research proposals, international presentations and research publications. Community health monitoring and evaluation, health assessments and interventions.  Consultant for private and government institutions; USAID, USDOL, Chemonics International, Abt Associates, Inc., etc. Demonstrated ability to thrive in culturally diverse environments and to build strategic partnerships.  Motivated, results-oriented professional with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

 

 

SPECIFIC MODALITY/TECHNIQUES AND CERTIFICATIONS

 

Pain Management • Structural Integration • Skeletal Muscle Function and Movement Analysis •

Anxiety Disorders and Massage • Fibromyalgia • Myofascial Release • Deep Tissue/Neuromuscular Massage • Trigger Point • Sports Massage • Injury/Orthopedic • Lymphatic Drainage • Scar management • Reflexology • Pre/postnatal Massage • Cranio Sacral Massage • Chair Massage • Effects and Benefits of Massage • Contraindications • Massage Applications (thermo/cryo hydrotherapies) • Hot Stone Massage • Aromatherapy • Swedish Massage • Acupressure • Geriatric Massage • Muscular Pathology

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

  • Therapist. Hygeia Therapies & SPA, LLC. 8200 Greensboro Drive, Suite 900, McLean, VA 22102.

  • Therapist. Hygeia Therapies & SPA, LLC. 10401 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 101, Bethesda, MD 20814.

  • Master Therapist. SpaRelief. 1487 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101

  • Massage Therapist. Hand & Stone. 13033 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Chantilly,VA 22033

  • Massage Therapist. Massage Envy Spa. 126-A Branch Road, Vienna, VA 22180

  • Massage Therapist. MediSpa. Rockville Life Time Athletic, 1151 Seven Locks Road, Rockville, MD 27854.

  • Technical Assistance. United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative Regional Program for Latin America and the Caribbean. Panama City, Panama. 2009.

  • Field Assessor. Chemonics International, Inc. Washington DC, USA, to develop a technical proposal for health care reform program under USAID’s Maternal and Child Health Systems in the Dominican Republic.

  • Research Consultant. Abt Associates, Inc. Positioning for business opportunities in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the extractive industry (mining, oil, gas) for potential interventions in Africa, Latin America and South East Asia, including capacity building, microenterprise development, integrated impact assessments. Bethesda MD. 2008.

  • and Resolution, Maternal and Child Health, Hygiene, HIV/AIDS, Immunizations, Tuberculosis Control, Adolescent integrated Health and Biosafety.  Santo Domingo Dominican Republic.

  • Consultant. Abt Associates, Inc. United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Conecta-Salud Project. To develop a proposal to perform Environmental Impact Assessments in the Dominican Republic. To conduct research on Clean Rural Water Systems Operated and Administered by Communities for Disease Prevention and Child Survival. Including Conflict Management on protected areas, ports and river basins and government agenda on environmental management. To recruit personnel, key stakeholders and local organizations. Technical revisions of project proposal and data collection instruments. Domingo Dominican Republic.

  • Consultant. Entrena S.A. United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Yungas Development Initiative for National Environmental Policy Reform, National Environmental Diagnosis and Fiscal Economic. Analysis La Paz, Bolivia.

  • Director. Dominican Republic’s Chapter of the Occupational Health and Safety Regional Program for Central America and the Dominican Republic. Abs  IS THIS CORRECT? Associates, Inc. US Department of Labor (USDOL). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

  • Technical Director. Component I. Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Response (PMR) for citizens. Hurricane Georges Reconstruction Program. Abt Associates, Inc. Inter-American Development Bank (IBD). Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 2001.

  • Visiting professor. Graduate Studies and Continued Education Division, Catholic University of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

  • Assistant Professor. Division of Environmental and Occupational Health (Tenure Track). Saint Louis University, School of Public Health.  St. Louis, Missouri, USA. 1993-1999.

  • State of Missouri Toxicologist. Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology, Missouri Department of Health. Jefferson City, Missouri.

  • Co-Director, Institute for Disability Studies.  Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Community Health Department. Saint Louis University Medical Center. St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

 

 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

National Massage Therapy Institute, Falls Church, VA.

Massage Therapy Diploma.

  • Specialization in Sports Massage & Kinesiology

 

School of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. 

Graduate Studies: Risk Assessment and Risk Management including Case Studies, and Principles of Toxicology

 

Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MI.

Masters of Public Health. Recipient of the “Outstanding Academic Achievement” Award  

 

Medical School, Central University of Ecuador, Quito-Ecuador. Doctor in Medicine and Surgery.

 

GENERAL CERTIFICATIONS

 

Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage. National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. NCBTMB. 2012. National Certification No.: 619922-12.

 

Certified Associated Bodywork & Massage Professional. ABMP since 2012. ID No.: 766312.

 

Certified Massage Therapist. Board of Nursing, Department of Health Professions. Commonwealth of Virginia. Number 0019010848.

 

Licensed Massage Therapist. The Board of Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Examiners. State of Maryland. LIC. REG. CERT. No.M04987.

 

Master of Public Health Diploma. Graduate School. Saint Louis University. State of Missouri.

 

Certified Massage Therapist. ABMP Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. Member ID No.: 766312.

 

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator. CPR and AED. ProTrainings/American Heart Association. Cert. No.: 140902461209571. Expiration date: 08/25/2022.

 

HONORS & AWARDS

 

Beaumont Faculty Development Research Award. Saint Louis University, Saint Louis Missouri. USA, 1996.

Distinguished Community Service Award. Saint Louis University. Saint Louis Missouri. USA.

High Distinction, Master’s Degree, Oral Examination. Saint Louis University, Saint Louis Missouri. USA. 1990.

Outstanding Academic Achievement, International Student Association. Saint Louis University, Saint Louis Missouri. USA. 1989.

 

 

LANGUAGES

 

Native Spanish; certified at superior proficiency level by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Professional-level English; working-level French and Italian; basic Portuguese. 

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I believe…

 

Most people do not know or understand the broad scope of touch and soft tissue therapies concerning chronic pain management and health promotion/disease prevention outcomes. There is nothing more powerful than the effect of touch in the human experience, and nothing more meaningful and healing than well-intended human contact. I believe that it is a privilege to care of others and influence their lives through touch. As a health care provider I am devoted to help manage and overcome chronic pain as well as to convey the positive experience of massage therapies to my clients.

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Favorite quote
 

“I choose…
to live by choice, not by chance;
to make changes, not excuses;
to be motivated, not manipulated ;
to be useful, not used;
to excel, not compete;
to choose self esteem, not self pity;
I choose to listen to my inner voice, not the random opinion of others”!

We look forward to your visit!

​Payments.

Please pay by cash or check written to Hygeia Therapies LLC & SPA.  Returned checks will be sent back to the client with an additional Hygeia Therapies penalty of $30.00 and any related bank fees. Credit cards are welcome. Credit cards accepted are Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover. Credit card payments will have an additional 3.75 percent fee added.

General Policies

To better serve you, please be sure to examine our policies.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to fill your intake form. The purpose of this form is to gain information about your health status to better design a proper therapy for you. A signed doctor’s referral may be necessary in certain cases.
Your health and the health of your therapist are extremely important. Therefore personal hygiene is observed at all times. Please come prepared to fully benefit from your therapy.

 

COVID-19

 

It is important that we agree on the following as all my other clients have: 

 

Exposure Prevention means decreasing the probability of exposure by social distancing, placement of barriers such as; masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), decreasing the viral load, decreasing host susceptibility (adequate nutrition), screening for contact tracing etc.

 

I am providing therapies under the understanding that my clients are following prevention guidance to avoid exposure to the prevailing coronavirus as I am. Please follow the guidelines below adopted to protect each other:

 

Masks are required at all times in the building and in the treatment room. Clients should let the therapist know of their arrival and wait in their vehicle until instructed by text to come directly to the treatment room. Preferably there is no sitting at the waiting room. If this becomes necessary social distancing is required. 

 

Assistants of clients should bring the client to the treatment room and wait in their vehicles until instructed to come and pick up client after therapy.

 

The therapist and the client wear a mask at all times and during treatment. 

 

Before treatment I prepare, as usual with hand wash and disinfection. 

 

I have increased the time between therapies to have additional cleaning and disinfection of the room.

 

I have prepared a self assessment questionnaire for my clients to fill out. 

They may take their own temperature in advance as I will take their temperature before the treatment.

 

Hand sanitizer available in the the treatment room for your convenience. 

 

Following is a list of sanitizers I use. Please look at them in case of allergies or sensitivity to the chemical components. 

 

If you have any suggestions or questions please contact Hygeia.

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Rescheduling or cancellations

24 hour advance notice is required.​

The full amount will be charged when failing to abide by this policy. There is no waiver to this policy and the full amount must be paid immediately and before scheduling another appointment. This permits another client to schedule an appointment.

No-shows​
The full amount will be charged when failing to show.

Late Arrivals​
Therapies are designed to provide maximum benefit hence length of sessions is important. Arriving late will result in reduced time for your session to accommodate the next appointment. Therefore depending on lateness, your therapist will determine if the time is sufficient provide the treatment or will offer an alternate service. Regardless, you are responsible for the “full” session. Out of respect and consideration to your therapist and other clients, please plan accordingly.

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