2025 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 18–20, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2025 ATRA Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. All sessions, times, and presenter information have been confirmed, though final adjustments may occur due to unforeseen circumstances onsite.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
For information on our Bonus Day at Morgan's Sports on Friday October 17th, please visit: ATRA San Antonio Bonus Day: Morgan's Sports
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC approval is currently pending. Please check back for updates prior to the conference.
Note: Poster presentations may be eligible for CEUs in 2025. Final determinations will be reflected once CEU approvals are finalized.
For questions related to specialty certification areas, please refer to the PDF version of the program for designation icons and CEU-eligible sessions.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA San Antonio program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
Recreational Therapy Grant Writing & Collaboration for Research Success
Session Description
This presentation is designed to strengthen participants' skills in evidence-based programming and grant research. Attendees will learn practical strategies for finding research funding and developing grant proposals. The session will cover key tools and resources for identifying collaborators, along with insights into primary funding sources. Presenters will share expert guidance on securing the right funding to support research and advance evidence-based practice. Additionally, various grant opportunities relevant to RT practitioners, students, and educators will be explored.
Learning Outcomes
1) locate and evaluate primary funding sources to support research and evidence-based practice.
2) gain practical strategies for writing grant proposals and connecting with collaborators to strengthen their applications.
3) explore relevant grant opportunities for RT practitioners, students, and educators, and learn how to effectively utilize funding to advance their work
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/35fc735c2bceac57cf91185fd8bf4e67.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Aurora Verlin, MS, CTRS, Temple University")
Aurora Verlin, MS, CTRS, Temple University
Biographical Information
Aurora Verlin is an Instructor and Undergraduate Program Director at Temple University. She is also currently the Past President of the Recreational Therapy Foundation and previously served as President and Member at Large for Research Grants, for which she reviewed all grant applications that came into the Foundation. Prior to working in academia, Aurora worked with older adults with dementia in a Life Care Community in the Philadelphia area, where she was the Director of Recreational Therapy Services and Personal Care Home Administrator. She used evidence-based practice to build her program and department's budget and staffing numbers, and to educate staff, residents and the local community on the benefits of recreational therapy. At Temple University, Aurora has served on the conference committee for the Evidence-Based Practice Conference for many years.
Co-Presenter/panelists
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/96ec8ef97b617be5b61f7aa932defce8.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Chad Romoser, University of Utah, College of Health")
Chad Romoser, University of Utah, College of Health
Biographical Information
Chad Romoser is a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Health’s interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Sciences Program at the University of Utah. He currently serves on the Recreational Therapy Foundation board as the Member-at-Large ATRA Liason. His research investigates the usability of virtual reality applications and their impact on well-being. Chad has practiced recreational therapy in a variety of settings for nearly 10 years and has previously been an instructor of record for multiple recreational therapy courses.
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4e2152abab6a417095b67c86227cea9e.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Sasha Nicole Gordon, University of Utah, College of Health")
Sasha Nicole Gordon, University of Utah, College of Health
Biographical Information
Sasha Gordon is currently a PhD candidate in the Rehabilitation Sciences program at the University of Utah. She graduated with a master's degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from the University of Utah in 2018 and has worked as a recreational therapist since then. She has experience working with youth in mental/behavioral health. She has been working in skilled nursing/long-term care as a recreational therapy consultant for several years. She is currently the Vice President of the Recreational Therapy Foundation. Her current research interests relate to burnout in mental and behavioral healthcare professionals, specifically how it impacts the interdisciplinary team.