2024 ATRA Annual Conference - Together We Thrive, Together We Rise

MPA, CTRS

Patricia Thomas, MPA, CTRS, serves as a Clinical Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she also holds the roles of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Certificate Coordinator and Program Director of the Occupational Science and Technology Undergraduate Degree Program. With over two decades of educational experience, Ms. Thomas has contributed to the field, particularly through her leadership in developing one of the nation’s earliest totally online TR Certificate Programs for practitioners pursuing the Equivalency Path towards credentialing. Ms. Thomas has been recognized for her excellence in teaching, having received the UWM Outstanding Teaching Award for her innovative strategies in both in-person and online instruction. She has a long history within the VA Healthcare system, where she provided RT services to veterans in mental health and long term care. An active participant in her field, Ms. Thomas has made notable contributions to local, state, and national professional organizations. She has served on the NCTRC Board of Directors and the ATRA Joint Commission Committee, holding the position of Chair for both. Her scholarly contributions include co-authoring the chapter on Online Learning and Teaching in Therapeutic Recreation, which appears in the third edition of Professional Issues in Therapeutic Recreation.

Ph.D., CTRS, FDRT,

Karen Carnicello Wenzel Ph.D., CTRS, FDRT holds a B.S. in Recreation (Concentration in Therapeutic Recreation) and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, an M.A. Recreation (Concentration in Therapeutic Recreation) from the University of Northern Colorado. She completed her Ph.D. in Recreational Therapy at Clemson University. Her dissertation research focused on leisure, cognition, and aging. She has worked in community recreation at North Jeffco Parks and Recreation (now APEX), and Genesee Recreation. Her therapeutic recreation experience includes inpatient and outpatient behavioral health, and adult day services for individuals with neurological disabilities. She worked for the Rocky Mountain MS Center for 22 years, where she directed the King Adult Day Enrichment Program (a specialized adult day program for individuals with neurological disabilities) and then served as Executive Director. She has been teaching recreation and therapeutic recreation since 1991 and has taught for the University of Northern Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Utah, and SUNY Cortland. She is currently the online TR Coordinator for Eastern Washington University. Karen has served as President of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), and as Chair of NCTRC. She is a Fellow Distinguished in Recreational Therapy and received the Distinguished Service Award from NTRS and The New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Re.D., CPRP, CTRS, FALS, FDRT

Dr. Marcia Jean Carter, CPRP, CTRS, FDRT, FALS is an adjunct online faculty member at the University of St. Francis, Eastern Washington University, and SUNY Cortland. Work settings include nonprofit, outdoor, community, and clinical experiences. She has co-authored several textbooks, including Therapeutic Recreation: A Practical Approach and Effective Management in Therapeutic Recreation Service. Dr. Carter serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and was an associate editor for the Annual in Therapeutic Recreation. She co-chaired the ATRA Higher Education Taskforce, served on various ATRA committees, and was instrumental in founding NCTRC and served as its first Chair. She has been honored with the ATRA Distinguished Fellow Award.

Ph.D., CTRS, RTC

Susan Ross, Ph.D., CTRS, RTC is an Associate Professor of Recreation Therapy, and the Complementary and Alternative Health Practices minor in the Department of Public Health and Recreation at San José State University. Her primary research examines the phenomenon of transformation from transdisciplinary perspectives and is the subject of her book, The Map to Wholeness: 13-phases of Transformation. Her current research involves piloting a “transformation curriculum” for study abroad students and special education credentialing programs. As a clinician, she specializes in the treatment of women survivors of sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress, and the application of adventure therapy.