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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description
October 17–19, 2026
The Embassy Suites, Brea, California
2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA
The following is the Session Descriptions for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. 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 On Demand Conference offerings, please visit: ATRA SoCal On Demand
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending fr all sessions for CEUs.
Once the program is pre-approved; 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 SoCal 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.
Role of Recreational Therapy in Treating Patients with Progressive Conditions: A Case Study in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) with a Multidisciplinary Approach
Session Description
This program poster will present the case study of a long-term patient enrolled in multiple research studies at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Recreational Therapy was a key component of this patient’s care and worked closely with the rehabilitation medicine (PT, OT, Art Therapy, SLP, Physiatry) and clinical research teams (MD, Nursing, Fellows/Residents) to enhance the quality of life and improvement of function of this patient during his extended admission. The full APIE process will be shown with discussion of specific interventions that were particularly beneficial, in addition to collaborative interventions w/ other rehabilitation medicine disciplines.
Learning Outcomes
(1) Understand the role of Recreational Therapy in supporting patients enrolled in clinical research trials. (2) Identify at least three items of adaptive equipment that can be utilized to increase independence in leisure engagement with patients with progressive conditions. (3) Identify at least three opportunities for collaboration with additional rehabilitation disciplines to improve functional outcomes for patients with progressive conditions.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Child and Adolescent
Community
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
Research
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e37fb5a1408d4220e9b666bd90fc9911.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Stefan Ellington, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center")
Stefan Ellington, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Biographical Information
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.