| Home | About WSTRA | Membership | IN Groups | Resources |
| Contact Us | About TR | Professional Development | Recognition | Public Policy |
| Event Calendar | State Registration | Jobs | Students |
|
|
PROFILES OF PRESIDENT Recreation Therapy was Jane's life calling before she even knew such a profession existed. Because of the volunteer work she did for summer camps for people with special needs when she was a teenager, she wanted to work in a job that allowed her to provide outdoor activities adapted to their needs. Then, at 21 years of age, her little sister had a catastrophic car accident resulting in a spinal cord injury and it was through leisure and community activities that Jane helped her to regain her independence and improve her quality of life. It was not until Jane was in her early 20's that she heard of the field, "Recreation Therapy" and decided it was the profession for her. She received her degree at California State University, Northridge. Jane feels she is extremely blessed and fortunate to have a career she is so passionate about and to be able to work in the field consistently for over 25 years. Jane, originally from CA, worked in pediatrics for Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center for 6 years immediately after receiving her degree. She treasures the experience, but became overwhelmed by the gang activity and violence; therefore, she moved to Poulsbo WA in 1992. After meeting her husband, Phil, shortly thereafter, she decided to stay. Jane loves living in the country, gardening and raising "dahlias" and her two cats. She worked for a nursing home in Bremerton and was promoted to a consultant for the company, working for Extendicare for 6 years. In 1998, Jane explored other options in Seattle, especially since acute rehabilitation was always her main interest. After a few per diem jobs with a variety of excellent Recreation Therapists, Jane landed a position as the acute rehab Recreation Therapist at Swedish Medical Center (SMC). It has been a journey for her; surviving not only several Swedish campus and unit closures, but also breast cancer. Jane believes her career has come full circle and she feels very valued and supported at the Cherry Hill campus of SMC. She no longer have to fight for identity; she is equal to all other disciplines despite the fact that SMC does not bill for RT services. Jane thoroughly enjoys the work she does with patients and their families and is grateful to now have the opportunity to pay forward to a profession that has been her life time passion through the being a Board member for WSTRA. She is interested in learning more about the legislative process, advocacy for the TR profession and continuing education opportunities for therapists and TR students. Jane feels she has excellent mentors in place within the organization and looks forward to the challenge. PRESIDENT-ELECT Barbara was motivated to become a recreation therapist when she worked as a recreation instructor for youth while simultaneously working as a probation officer. It became clear that how someone spends their leisure time is imperative. She received her MA from the University of Northern Colorado and has worked in rehab for the past 25 years. She loves working with people who have had a stroke, finding new ways to stimulate recovery. She works part-time at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and part-time at Ptarmigan West in educating people on the topic of stroke. Barbara married Bruce in 1983 and they have 3 children, all in college. She enjoys gardening, sailing, geocaching, reading, church activities, hiking and traveling. She is currently taking classes thru Regent College in Vancouver, BC. She welcomes dialog with all CTRS's and looks forward to serving WSTRA and all its members. PAST PRESIDENT Debbie became a recreation therapist when she discovered TR could combine her love of outdoor recreation with her passion for medicine. Currently, she works with a variety of patient populations in a transitional care program of a community living center with special interests in the use of technology and outdoor recreation to bring about functional improvement or compensation. Debbie has also worked in comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation and mental health and in residential facilities for people with severe cerebral palsy. She has extensive experience working with people with multiple sclerosis, receiving the Berlex Award for Best Patient Education at the 2002 International Symposium held by the Consortium of MS Centers. In addition, Debbie co-founded and served as the Lead Volunteer for the Therapeutic and Adaptive Alpine Program for the Outdoors for All Foundation and continues to serve as a disabilities expert and trainer as well as the Coordinator for winter sports one time lessons. Personally, she loves doing anything outdoors, especially as it has to do with water in any state, liquid, solid or gas. She also enjoys animals, creative arts and has worked extensively in musical theatre, especially in lighting design and stage management. In her role as Past President, she hopes to help WSTRA continue to evolve into one of the first resources you turn toward to assist you in your professional practice. SECRETARY When Susan entered Ithaca College, she had no idea how she was going to find a career in which she could share her passion for nature, outdoor activities and having an active lifestyle. As a result there is no surprise that when she learned about recreational therapy she knew it was her calling. Throughout college, Susan showed a strong dedication to TR by starting a club in her department, attending state and national conferences and being recognized by ATRA as a Peg Connolly scholar. Susan completed her internship in the burn center at the University of North Carolina Hospitals before returning to her native Seattle. She has worked in community supported living, facilitated for the Sibshop program and has worked in inpatient trauma rehabilitation for three years. Susan's daily goal includes educating people about the outcomes and value of TR. She looks forward to the opportunity to work closely with WSTRA in continuing to advocate for and develop recognition of TR in order to advance our profession. Outside of her career, Susan enjoys all active pursuits, but she will most likely be found rowing at sunrise, skiing untracked powder, wake boarding on Lake Washington and rock climbing or hiking western Washington's several peaks. TREASURER Darren has a passion for helping others that started as a teenager. After an accident, as a child, he got a second chance at life and decided he wanted to give back to others. Darren graduated from Washington State University in 1990 and has worked rehabilitation as a recreational therapist for 18 years. Having worked in mental health, long term care, chronic pain, chemical dependency, home health and outpatient, Darren found his true calling was inpatient rehabilitation. He has been at St. Joseph Medical Center for 6 years and still loves what he does. Darren enjoys being with family and friends, being in the garden and being outdoors. He has two weimeraners and is active with the Washington and Oregon Weimaraner Rescue, as well as the pet partner program. Being outdoors is a must when not at work. A place on the water and in the mountains makes life more enjoyable on the weekends. EAST REPRESENTATIVE Cami has a passion for working with people who have disabilities, which started at a young age. She originally thought she would be a special education teacher, but soon realized that change occurred when being active. She was introduced to the field while attending Brigham Young University and received her TR degree in 1997. The first part of her professional journey started while working in a community outdoor group. Seeing real physiological change occur to children who were physically disabled through recreating and processing was magical. As children came into her life she shifted focus and started working in a more structured job focusing on community mental health. After working in the field for 8 years she is taking a break. Cami and her husband moved to Spokane 2 years ago and she is staying home to raise their 5 children. However serving on the WSTRA board is her attempt to stay connected to the field that she loves and will someday return to. Being a Mom is consuming, but, as any Recreational Therapist knows, everyone must stay active in order to feel whole. She spends the summer months camping, literally. Her favorite activity is loading everyone up in their tent trailer and spending months out on the road enjoying nature and the water. Other activities you can find Cami doing frequently is scrapbooking and running. Through recreating, she finds self confidence, peace and purpose and believes that this profession is useful to all individuals. WEST REPRESENTATIVE Until October 2007, Randee had worked for Outdoors for All as a Program Director since July of 2000. She loved to share her passion for the outdoors while encouraging people of all abilities to overcome challenges and try new adventures. Currently, she holds the position of Recreation Coordinator at The Fairwinds Retirement Community in Redmond, WA, and is a member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1998 with a BA in Therapeutic Recreation. Shortly after completing a 16 week internship with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado, Randee passed the national exam to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRSÒ).
|
|
|
©2004 - 2008 Washington State Therapeutic Recreation
Association, All rights reserved. |