Bari Ruck
Bari Ruck is a Registered Yoga Teacher and Licensed Massage Therapist at Moffitt Cancer Center. She teaches classes at Moffitt's Integrative Medicine Clinic and the Hope Lodge, as well as private outpatient sessions. Bari also provides massage therapy and gentle yoga relaxation to patients during their stay in the hospital.
In addition to her work at Moffitt, she is an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College. She has a successful private practice in Tampa where she teaches group classes as well as private yoga, massage and energy work sessions. She is skilled in teaching yoga to people of various ages, needs and abilities as well as in creating an environment that fosters deep relaxation and self-discovery.
Bari has completed a 200-hour, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher training that specialized in the modification and adaptation of yoga for medical populations. She also has advanced training in Yoga for People with Cancer and Chronic Illness, Yoga for Medical Professionals, Thai Yoga Massage, and is a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner.
Bari's educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as master's level courses in effective communication and group dynamics. She is actively involved in Moffitt and community education for patients and providers alike on the benefits of yoga.
Sharen Patel
Sharen Patel has been offering mind and body practices in the Tampa Bay area since 1998. She has studied and trained extensively in yoga therapy, meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and relaxation therapy and is certified to teach Yoga for Cancer and Chronic Illness. At Moffitt, Sharen offers therapeutic yoga to hospitalized patients at all stages of illness, as well as group classes to survivors, caregivers, and health care providers.
In addition, Sharen is dedicated to her work as an educator in the community and has given presentations on “Optimal Health and Healing through Yoga” and “Demystifying Yoga in the Medical Setting.” Sharen trains yoga teachers and health professionals nationwide and has collaborated in the production of a Yoga for Cancer DVD series.
Jonatha Wright
Jonatha "Jonny" Wright is an experienced Licensed Massage Therapist, providing massage to both inpatients and outpatients at Moffitt. She has experience with medical massage therapy work in other medical settings. She is certified in modalities including oncology massage, Reiki, lymphatic drainage and breast massage. At Moffitt, she sees more than 50 patients each month for inpatient and outpatient massage, bringing pain relief, comfort, and relaxation to patients and families touched by cancer.
Jonny is actively engaged in community outreach and education. She teaches Lymphatic Studies at the Upledger Institute and is an active member of the International Alliance of Healthcare Practitioners. A breast cancer survivor and participating member of the "Breast Cancer Community" in Tampa, she devotes time to addressing survivors groups, peer counseling, Lymphedema education and dragon boat paddling with Team Survivor Tampa Bay’s Pink Dragon Ladies.
Elaine Payne
Elaine Payne was Moffitt's first oncology trained massage therapist, and has helped thousands of patients since 2002. She provides healing massage to patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as family members and staff. Elaine has advanced training in oncology massage, lymphatic training and breast massage. She has participated as an investigator/consultant in a number of massage related research projects and has presented on the benefits of massage to numerous groups at Moffitt and throughout the United States.
Elaine is a Licensed Massage Therapist as well as a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Her treatments are a composite of her broad training offering a more holistic approach. She maintains an active private practice in north Tampa in addition to her work at Moffitt.
She is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, Society of Integrative Oncology and Society for Oncology Massage. Elaine has enjoyed volunteer work to promote the benefits of massage throughout the Tampa Bay community.