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.
Rewriting the Playbook: Integrating Health and Wellness Practices into Adaptive Sports to Promote Sustainable Independence
Session Description
Adaptive sports offer more than just physical engagement; they serve as a powerful foundation for long-term health and wellness when paired with intentional, supportive practices. This session will explore how recreation therapists and program leaders can integrate holistic health and wellness elements into adaptive sports to better support veterans and service members in achieving lasting independence and well-being.
Attendees will learn how to identify and address common barriers to wellness, such as loss of structure, shifts in identity, changes in functioning and culturally ingrained behaviors that may persist after military service. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, this session will demonstrate how wellness touchpoints—like goal-setting, mindfulness, nutrition, recovery education, and routine-building—can be woven into existing adaptive sports programming. Attendees will walk away with practical tools and strategies that move beyond the game, to embed these practices into their own therapeutic or community-based settings.
Learning Outcomes
1. By the end of the session, participants will be able to list at least three common health and wellness barriers faced by veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.
2. By the end of the session, participants will be able to explain at least two ways that wellness programming can increase autonomy in adaptive sports participants.
3. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to explain how integrating structured health routines into adaptive sports programming enhances long-term participant outcomes.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Community
Military/Veterans
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![Nicole Entrup, Wounded Warrior Project [photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3bad1cd3d073431e7c223e1bda9498c7.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50)
Nicole Entrup, Wounded Warrior Project
Biographical Information
Nicole Entrup, CTRS, CARSS II, CASC is a certified Recreation Therapist with a strong background in supporting wounded, ill, and injured service members through adaptive sports and therapeutic recreation. She studied Recreational Therapy and Nonprofit Leadership at Clemson University, and holds a Masters in Psychology of Leadership from Penn State University. Nicole has contributed her expertise in a variety of impactful settings including most recently as a Recreation Specialist at the Center for the Intrepid, and as an Adaptive Sports Coordinator with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program prior to that. She now brings her passion and experience to her role as the Adaptive Sports Specialist with Wounded Warrior Project, leading adaptive sports initiatives throughout the Central U.S. region. Nicole is passionate about using adaptive sports as a tool for healing, empowerment, and connection.
Co-Presenter/panelists
![Jahniya Kiliru, Wounded Warrior Project [photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0a0478091bd8523391c733f845a1f890.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50)
Jahniya Kiliru, Wounded Warrior Project
Biographical Information
Jahniya Kiliru, LRT, CTRS, CARRS II is an Adaptive Sports Specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project in Washington, D.C., where she designs and facilitates inclusive sports programs that promote physical wellness, emotional healing, and community for wounded veterans and their families. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she discovered her passion for working with the veteran population. Jahniya previously interned at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, supporting service members recovering from traumatic injuries through adaptive sports. She is a dedicated advocate for accessible recreation and believes in the transformative power of therapeutic recreation to empower individuals and foster resilience.
![Abby Smith, Wounded Warrior Project [photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bc35510be32fcf9c255a61d1cc27f0af.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50)
Abby Smith, Wounded Warrior Project
Biographical Information
Abby Smith, LRT, CTRS, CARSS II, currently serves as an Adaptive Sports Specialist at the Wounded Warrior Project, where she empowers Veterans with permanent injuries to reach their full potential. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation at Northwest Missouri State University. Abby has a diverse background working with individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. She brings both compassion and expertise to her work, with a deep passion for promoting holistic wellness through adaptive engagement. Committed to fostering empowerment and growth, Abby helps individuals discover their strengths and experience the transformative power of recreation and sport.
![Randa Osman, Wounded Warrior Project [photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/665b78854a833fe8794196a4ced56685.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50)
Randa Osman, Wounded Warrior Project
Biographical Information
Randa Osman, MS is an Adaptive Sports Specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project, where she empowers warriors and their families through inclusive, adaptive recreation that fosters physical wellness, resilience, and community. Since joining WWP in 2019, Randa has served in multiple roles, beginning as a Physical Health and Wellness Coach before transitioning to her current position. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and brings extensive experience in health coaching and personal training—particularly with veterans and individuals with disabilities. Randa is passionate about creating accessible, meaningful wellness experiences that inspire confidence, independence, and lifelong engagement in health and fitness.