Summary Suspension Ordered for Massage Therapist

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Massage License Board has issued a summary suspension of the license of Melvin Odom, Jr., a resident of Columbia, Tennessee. The suspension was effective June 30, 2016. As a result of the summary suspension, Odom was immediately prohibited from practicing as a licensed massage therapist in the state.

Odom had been employed as a licensed massage therapist at Fox & Company Salon and Day Spa in Columbia and at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Franklin. The Board investigated Odom after learning of two accusations of inappropriate sexual contact allegedly committed in the course of massages performed at the facilities.  Law enforcement continues to investigate this matter and has identified additional individuals who may also have been sexually assaulted by Odom.

Odom was originally licensed to practice as a licensed massage therapist in Tennessee Feb. 19, 2016.  His license will remain suspended pending the outcome of a contested case proceeding in the matter. The Tennessee Massage License Board has the authority to summarily suspend a license if it finds that the public health, safety or welfare imperatively require emergency action.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Department of Health Office of Investigations at 1-800-852-2187.

Detailed information about disciplinary actions is available on the TDH website at https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/default.aspx. Enter the name of the person of interest. Once the license information appears, click on "disciplinary action” or “adverse licensure action” and then "view board order.”

The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. TDH has facilities in all 95 counties and provides direct services for more than one in five Tennesseans annually as well as indirect services for everyone in the state, including emergency response to health threats, licensure of health professionals, regulation of health care facilities and inspection of food service establishments. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.