
Meritorious is the highest award of the chapter that is decided by a committee to recognize someone that has gone above and beyond the call of duty to promote the AMTA and CT chapter, massage therapy, and the profession in general.
The chapter is honored to announce Nikki Arel, as the recipient of the 2022 Chapter Meritorious.
Nikki is a mentor, leader, educator and professional. She has been a massage therapist and AMTA member for over 16 years. She is a member of the Community Service Massage Team and Sports Massage Team. She has been a delegate to AOD, and a chapter leader as a chair for 5 years. She has a long volunteer history with the CT chapter and has made a big impact in this chapter.
She has been very visible to membership over the past 2 years providing details about COVID and providing support information and state guidelines on reopening. She has been active in legislation to increase education requirements for licensure and the requirement for liability insurance in the state, as well as in the fight against massage therapy being a taxable service in CT.
She is a yoga instructor, manages her own MT business and is passionate about our Veteran’s. She offers supportive care to veteran’s and travels part-time with The Wall That Heals under the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund.
Please join me in congratulating Nikki Arel as this year’s Chapter Meritorious.