Faculty

Active, Experienced, Involved Faculty Members

Our faculty consist of trained professionals who encourage, guide, inspire, who take the utmost care in sharing their clinical knowledge.  The faculty accessibility offers our students personal attention.  Our experienced faculty members are dedicated through a balance of science, art and technology.  At HVSMT, our health care practitioners have invaluable clinical experiences and advance the science of wellness.

Faculty Directory and Credentials

Maria T. Ferguson, Licensed Aesthetician / Cosmetologist

President / Executive Director

Maria T. Ferguson worked as a Medical Aesthetician for Mario Loomis, MD, Stefan G. Chevalier, DO, and Dr. Thomas A. Haggerty, MS, MD, FACS,  all Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. Ms. Ferguson is licensed in Aesthetics and Cosmetology in the State of New York.   She has been invited and continues membership in exclusive national organizations and has produced numerous instructional videos. Maria T. Ferguson has published acclaimed works in textbooks and has been interviewed by national media.
 

Instructors

Paul G. Barrie, DC

Dr. Barrie graduated Queens College with a Masters Degree in Exercise and Physiology. Dr. Barrie continued to complete his studies and graduated from Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia in 1997.  Paul is a science instructor at HVSMT since 2007. Dr. Barrie has an office in Beacon and Pine Bush where he practices as a Chiropractor.
 

Darlene Bates, PT, LMT

Darlene Bates is a graduate of the HVSMT and brings with her over 23 years of experience in the healthcare field of Physical Therapy.  Her extensive training includes working with seniors, orthopedic patients, developmentally disabled and the athletic community. Darlene has further training in reflexolgy and certified to work with cancer patients.  Ms. Bates enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge and experience. She is passionate of both professions and holds high standards of respect, discipline and care, not only to care for the “condition”  but the ”whole person”.  Ms. Bates is a supervising instructor of the Medical, Business and Clinic at HVSMT since 2007.
 

Thomas J. DuBois, LMT

Thomas J. DuBois is a graduate of HVSMT. Along with being an instructor, since 2008, he has a practice with Dr. Herbert Lonstein, chiropractor of Ellenville. Thomas has special training in clinical massage, myofascial, and muscle energy techniques.
 

Naomi A. Dubaldi, LMT

Dr. Thomas Farruggella, MS, ND, Head of Science Department

Dr. Thomas Farruggella holds an M.S. degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine and holds a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from the Clayton College of Natural Health.  Dr. Farruggella has spent over 25 years in biomedical research and has co-authored over a dozen scientific publications and a US patent.  Dr. Farruggella also teaches at Marist College and reviews biological textbooks for Pearson and LLW publishers.  Dr. Farruggella holds a permanent NYS Teaching License and has taught sciences at HVSMT since 2003 where he is head of the Science Department.  .
 

Gary A. Mercurio, Chiropractor

Dr. Gary Mercurio specializes in the teaching of the mind-body healing techniques. He has practiced Qi Gong, Taiji and Meditation for over 30 years.  Gary has studied with masters from China, Thailand, and the United States.  Dr. Mercurio practices gentle conscious chiropractic care using the Activator Method.  He has been a science instructor at HVSMT since January 2010.
 

Heidi L. Wenderoth, LMT

Heidi Wenderoth is a NYS licensed Massage Therapist and graduate from the Conneticut Center for Massage Therapy in Westport, Conneticut.  Heidi specializes in deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and sports massage. Heidi works in a medical practice in Carmel, NY offering multi disciplinary techniques for each patient’s need. Heidi joined HVSMT in January 2010 sharing her passion of teaching with the student body. 
 

Armin Weis, LMT

Armin is a NYS licensed massage therapist and a graduate of  the Swedish Institute. He believes in balanced life integrating mind and spirit into his body work and uses his hands on knowledge to make his clients feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and refreshed. His training includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Medical and Sports, Neuro-Muscular Technique, Shiatsu, and other energetic therapy.
 

Shawn Whalen, LMT

Shawn Whalen is a graduate of HVSMT. He has practiced privatetly in the Hudson Valley for the past three years.  He has returned to the school as an instructor to enlighten and inspire future massage therapists.
 

Substitute

David Lee Howells, Chiropractor

Dr. David Howells is a graduate of Logan College of Chiropractor in Chesterfield, Missouri.  David is in private practice at Howells Chiropractic in Kingston, NY. His extensive training includes diagnosis and treatment of common spinal misalignments that can occur from lifestyle or injuries causing pain, discomfort and degenerative conditions.  Dr. Howells is a science instructor at the HVSMT where he has worked since 2009.