ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description

Stefan Ellington is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and master’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Toledo. Prior to joining the NIH in early 2023, Stefan served as a Recreational Therapist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Stefan has extensive professional experience with patients with multiple diagnoses across a variety of treatment settings including inpatient physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, hospice/palliative care and outpatient adaptive sports. Stefan primarily provides inpatient individualized treatment for adult medical patients at the Clinical Center and holds additional certifications as a yoga instructor, adaptive and inclusive fitness trainer and certified adaptive sports and recreation specialist. He is passionate about facilitation of quality patient-centered care, mentoring students, and advancing the profession through implementation of evidence-based interventions and support of research.

MS, CTRS

Elizabeth "Liz" Cavey is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from East Carolina University in North Carolina and a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Promotion from Walden University. Liz has over 15 years of professional experience working with adults and children in acute and long-term behavioral health settings, community-based recreation, and physical rehabilitation. Her professional interests include program development, quality patient-centered care, and facilitating leisure education groups.

MS, CTRS

Taylor Watson is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. He received his bachelor's degree in Family Science from University of Maryland, College Park and master's degree in Recreational Therapy from Indiana University, Bloomington. Taylor has professional experience working with populations across the lifespan within physical rehabilitation, complex medical, and acute behavioral health environments. He has clinical expertise with individuals who have an array of neuromuscular injuries and conditions, as well as individuals with various mental health diagnosis. Taylor provides individual treatment for adult medical patients from various institutes throughout the Clinical Center. His professional interests include the utilization of physical activity to help patients cope with hospitalization and to improve their overall functioning. In addition, the implementation of experiential therapies through community reintegration. He is passionate about client-centered care, family-centered care, and the facilitation of holistic outcome-based interventions.