Dr. Mary Kay Keller’s leadership in a national organization allows her students to expand their experience.
Dr. Keller, who chairs the Applied Family Science Program in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, is serving her second term as president of Infant Massage USA, which promotes parental nurturing. She has been certified in infant massage since 1997 and wrote her dissertation on fathering and infant massage.
“In her leadership capacity with Infant Massage USA, she has helped several graduate applied family science students get practicums with the organization,” says Dr. Debra Berke, director of Psychology Programs and the Center for Prevention Science.
One of Dr. Keller’s students, Regina Natasha Williams, completed two practicums and obtained her certification as a Certified Family Life Educator and a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.
“She has completed her Doula certification as well and has gone into private practice as a family life educator and infant massage instructor with her Applied Family Science, Master of Science degree,” Dr. Keller says.
Studies conclude that infant massage promotes parental bonding and helps prevent parental abuse and neglect. Dr. Keller spoke recently on special considerations in infant massage for parents who have experienced the death of a newborn at Infant Massage USA’s national conference.