RT EBP Conference<\/span> <\/span>Speakers<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Conference Menu<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/span><\/span>Overview<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Directions<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Get Involved<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Speakers<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Agenda<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Awards<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/span><\/span>Register<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Each year, we welcome many talented speakers to Temple University\u2019s Recreational Therapy Evidence-Based Practice Conference!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/span> Learn about the presenters!<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Melinda Alushaj is a Leisure + Wellness Engagement Lead in aged care, supporting multiple residential homes and multidisciplinary teams across New South Wales and the ACT. With over 20 years of experience in the aged-care sector, she is deeply passionate about enhancing quality of life and meaningful engagement for older adults. Melinda leads the development and statewide rollout of the Vibrant Living wellbeing and engagement framework, integrating therapeutic recreation principles, dementia-friendly design, and resident-directed practice. In her role, she provides strategic guidance, coaching, and quality oversight to ensure consistent implementation across both jurisdictions. She specializes in staff capability building, culture development, and embedding meaningful, evidence-informed engagement aligned with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Valerie Antonsanti, MSRT Student holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education for Special Needs from the University of Puerto Rico, Bayam\u00f3n, and is a Master of Science Candidate in Recreational Therapy at Temple University. She serves full-time as a Life Skills Teacher at Commonwealth-Parkville School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Valerie actively volunteers with the Community Living Center (CLC) at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Hospital, applying clinical experience in recreational therapy. She is also an active member of the Asociaci\u00f3n de Terapistas Recreativos (ATR) in Puerto Rico. Her background in adaptive physical education, combined with her advanced study in recreational therapy, makes her a strong asset for programs focused on adaptive and holistic wellness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Kyra Baker has a decade of experience supporting young adults with mental illnesses to identify and pursue their interests and passions, and connect with the people and places in their communities. As a person with lived experience of mental health challenges, Kyra believe in the power of connection and meaningful participation as a pathway to mental health recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Heather Burket, MEd, CTRS, CCLS is an instructor and field coordinator in the Recreational Therapy program at Temple University. She is a dually certified Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life Specialist who has worked in the field of pediatric therapeutic recreation and child life for nearly 20 years. She has been employed in a variety of pediatric service domains including medical daycare, step-down intensive care, acute rehabilitation, as well as behavioral and community health. She has had exposure to multiple acute care service arenas including but not limited to oncology, neurology, ICU, emergency care, and outpatient clinic services. Heather is a Past-President for the New Jersey Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association, has served as an NCTRC and CLCC exam item writer, is the Delaware state representative on the Joint Taskforce for the exploration of RT licensure, is a past Peg-Connelly Scholarship Recipient of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She has additionally had training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and is a Life is Good Playmaker. Heather has research interests in trauma informed care, neurodiversity in girls and women, coping with adverse childhood experiences, leisure awareness, social skill development, and interprofessional collaboration\/education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Olivia Cheskey, CTRS, MSRT Student has been working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since June of 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in the Health Sciences from Old Dominion University (ODU) where she majored in Recreational Therapy. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time on the brain injury unit at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, VA. Olivia has presented at the Southern Gerontological Society and the ODU Recreational Therapy Symposium on topics such as interdisciplinary education, post-traumatic amnesia, and recreational therapy education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Nancy Cinto is a Certified Recreation Therapist and Manager for the Inglis Assistive Technology Program at Inglis House. Nancy joined Inglis in 2017 as the lead CTRS for Inglis\u2019s Enhanced Day Program. In 2024, Nancy transitioned to the Assistive Technology Department and is currently on track to sit for the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) exam. Passionate about fostering independence and inclusion, Nancy oversees AT Services at Inglis House, which includes an Open Computer lab, the innovative AT Helpdesk Service, and the Research and Design Lab to promote technology confidence to the residents of Inglis House.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Andy Connell, MSRT Student has a background in Secondary Education with experience in all levels of education as well as extensive experience in youth summer camp programs. He is currently working as lead program coordinator for the Delaware National Guard\u2019s Child and Youth program delivering resilience training to the children of Guard dependents across the state.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Liz Creasman, MS, CTRS, C-IAYT is the Therapeutic Recreation Advisor at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, Virginia. She is also Certified Yoga Therapist. As a member of the clinical science team at SAI, she provides guidance to the Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to implement evidenced based practices, program development, and knowledge translation. Her professional experience also includes community recreation and trauma informed care. Liz holds a Master of Science from Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University. Liz enjoys creating art, practicing yoga, seasonal activities with her toddlers, and trying new ice cream shops.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Laura Cuadrado, CTRS holds a BS in Recreational Therapy from Radford University and is on track to complete her MSRT in May 2026. Laura has presented at Temple University\u2019s RT Evidence-Based Practice Conferences in both 2024 and 2025, and her work is published on RT Wise Owls, with an upcoming article in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal (expected 2026 issue). Her graduate studies have focused on the impact of recreational therapy within the perinatal population. Passionate about creative, holistic care, Laura hopes to collaborate with local organizations that support pregnant and parenting individuals to expand their access to meaningful, person-centered services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Olivia Demmler, CTRS, MSRT Student received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University in May of 2025. She is now working as a graduate student research assistant at Temple University\u2019s Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Through this she has gained experience working with adults in the Philadelphia area who have mental health diagnoses. She has prior experience working with children and adolescents both in and outside the recreational therapy field. Olivia is pursuing her Master\u2019s in Recreational Therapy while working as a graduate student research assistant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Katherine Griffiths, CTRS, ATP, earned her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University in 2009 and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in 2010. She obtained her Assistive Technology Professional certification through RESNA in 2015. Katherine has extensive experience supporting individuals with complex physical disabilities and specializes in Assistive Technology at Inglis in Philadelphia, PA. As an AT Educator for Inglis Assistive Technology Solutions, she provides evaluations, training, education, and device acquisition. Her work ranges from teaching basic smartphone communication skills to helping clients implement comprehensive smart\u2011home systems that enhance independence and safety at home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Laurna Heathcott, MSRT Student received a Bachelor\u2019s of Science degree in Exercise Science from the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions at Immaculata University. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Assistant at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility which provides skilled nursing and respiratory care for children.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Kelsey Jardine is a senior Rec therapy student with a minor in American Sign Language graduating this semester. Kelsey just completed her senior internship in Atlanta, Georgia at the Shepherd Center, an inpatient rehab hospital working with patients with acquired brain injury. She has a passion for working with older adults and outdoor and adventure recreation, hoping to bring these together in future roles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Holly Lynn enjoys long walks with her puppy, Ivy, anything outdoors water-related, and pushing herself outside her comfort zone in the sport of climbing. While she doesn\u2019t consider herself an expert in that or any other space, she has over 15 years of experience as a coordinator and director in the youth camping and student activities world and is passionate about eliminating access barriers to nature. Holly has worked, studied, and volunteered both abroad and stateside, focusing on equitable, transformative adventure programming. On Ambler Campus you may find Holly at the outdoor pool, the low ropes challenge course, or talking with students as her title \u201cAssistant Director of Campus and Student Affairs\u201d includes many hats. If you\u2019re hoping for a chat, a salted-caramel coffee, a pretty plant, or a fun new twist on a game are great ways to catch her interest!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Sarah Malogrino, CTRS, MSRT Student earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Slippery Rock University in May of 2021 and has been practicing as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since September 2021. She has primarily worked with older adults but also has experience working with adolescents. Sarah is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy at Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Therapy Manager at Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Bryan P. McCormick, PhD, CTRS is a professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Barnett College of Public Health at Temple University. He is the principal investigator of a NIDILRR funded Field Initiated Project (FIP) Community Participation Navigators: Testing a Peer Intervention for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses, which is currently testing an intervention to enhance community participation. He is the author or co-author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications and research abstracts, and his teaching has principally been around research and evaluation. Dr. McCormick is a past president of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Robin McNeal, CTRS, FDRT, ICE-CCP, is the Director of Credentialing and also a Credentialing Specialist at NCTRC. As the Director of Credentialing, she serves as the primary contact for all internal procedures regarding the NCTRC Credentialing program. She is also responsible for reviewing certification applications and answering questions about each application process. Prior to joining NCTRC, she had many years of clinical experience working in various settings including physical rehabilitation and long term care. Robin has her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College. She has presented at regional, national and international conferences, as well as to colleges and university programs on NCTRC Certification, Recertification and Areas of Specialization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Gabriella Mistalski is a Senior in the undergraduate Recreational Therapy Program at Temple University. She expects to receive her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy in May 2026. Gabriella completed her junior internship at Friends Hospital, where she provided game-based activities to patients in a behavioral health setting, took assessments, and reviewed progress notes. Gabriella is completing her senior internship at Gemma Services, where she is providing activities of a multitude of modalities and writing session notes for pediatric care in a behavioral residential care setting. Gabriella previously served as the special events coordinator for the Temple University Recreational Therapy Student Association (RTSA). She volunteered previously at the Temple University Amblers Evidence-Based Practice Conference. After graduation, she plans to sit for the NCTRC exam to become a CTRS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Jodi Obeid is a PHD Candidate in Dance Studies at Temple University, with a focus on adaptive dance education practices and movement, cognition, and learning. She is a first-year teaching fellow at Temple in the College of Performing Arts. Alongside her studies in the department, Jodi is working with the PA state department of education to rewrite the standards for arts education K-12 committee, trains new dance education teachers within the school district of Philadelphia, and works in community programs through dance and movement in partnership with multiple area nonprofits. Previously, she worked with students and teachers to develop movement programs in Special Education classrooms, taught dance and performance at Rowan University, and is certified in Yoga. She has an MA in Dance Education and a BA in Dance and French. She is interested in interdisciplinary work in education, recreational therapy, and dance. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Each year, we welcome many talented speakers to Temple University\u2019s Recreational Therapy Evidence-Based Practice Conference!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/span> Learn about the presenters!<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Melinda Alushaj is a Leisure + Wellness Engagement Lead in aged care, supporting multiple residential homes and multidisciplinary teams across New South Wales and the ACT. With over 20 years of experience in the aged-care sector, she is deeply passionate about enhancing quality of life and meaningful engagement for older adults. Melinda leads the development and statewide rollout of the Vibrant Living wellbeing and engagement framework, integrating therapeutic recreation principles, dementia-friendly design, and resident-directed practice. In her role, she provides strategic guidance, coaching, and quality oversight to ensure consistent implementation across both jurisdictions. She specializes in staff capability building, culture development, and embedding meaningful, evidence-informed engagement aligned with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Valerie Antonsanti, MSRT Student holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education for Special Needs from the University of Puerto Rico, Bayam\u00f3n, and is a Master of Science Candidate in Recreational Therapy at Temple University. She serves full-time as a Life Skills Teacher at Commonwealth-Parkville School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Valerie actively volunteers with the Community Living Center (CLC) at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Hospital, applying clinical experience in recreational therapy. She is also an active member of the Asociaci\u00f3n de Terapistas Recreativos (ATR) in Puerto Rico. Her background in adaptive physical education, combined with her advanced study in recreational therapy, makes her a strong asset for programs focused on adaptive and holistic wellness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Kyra Baker has a decade of experience supporting young adults with mental illnesses to identify and pursue their interests and passions, and connect with the people and places in their communities. As a person with lived experience of mental health challenges, Kyra believe in the power of connection and meaningful participation as a pathway to mental health recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Heather Burket, MEd, CTRS, CCLS is an instructor and field coordinator in the Recreational Therapy program at Temple University. She is a dually certified Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life Specialist who has worked in the field of pediatric therapeutic recreation and child life for nearly 20 years. She has been employed in a variety of pediatric service domains including medical daycare, step-down intensive care, acute rehabilitation, as well as behavioral and community health. She has had exposure to multiple acute care service arenas including but not limited to oncology, neurology, ICU, emergency care, and outpatient clinic services. Heather is a Past-President for the New Jersey Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association, has served as an NCTRC and CLCC exam item writer, is the Delaware state representative on the Joint Taskforce for the exploration of RT licensure, is a past Peg-Connelly Scholarship Recipient of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She has additionally had training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and is a Life is Good Playmaker. Heather has research interests in trauma informed care, neurodiversity in girls and women, coping with adverse childhood experiences, leisure awareness, social skill development, and interprofessional collaboration\/education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Olivia Cheskey, CTRS, MSRT Student has been working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since June of 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in the Health Sciences from Old Dominion University (ODU) where she majored in Recreational Therapy. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time on the brain injury unit at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, VA. Olivia has presented at the Southern Gerontological Society and the ODU Recreational Therapy Symposium on topics such as interdisciplinary education, post-traumatic amnesia, and recreational therapy education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Nancy Cinto is a Certified Recreation Therapist and Manager for the Inglis Assistive Technology Program at Inglis House. Nancy joined Inglis in 2017 as the lead CTRS for Inglis\u2019s Enhanced Day Program. In 2024, Nancy transitioned to the Assistive Technology Department and is currently on track to sit for the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) exam. Passionate about fostering independence and inclusion, Nancy oversees AT Services at Inglis House, which includes an Open Computer lab, the innovative AT Helpdesk Service, and the Research and Design Lab to promote technology confidence to the residents of Inglis House.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Andy Connell, MSRT Student has a background in Secondary Education with experience in all levels of education as well as extensive experience in youth summer camp programs. He is currently working as lead program coordinator for the Delaware National Guard\u2019s Child and Youth program delivering resilience training to the children of Guard dependents across the state.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Liz Creasman, MS, CTRS, C-IAYT is the Therapeutic Recreation Advisor at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, Virginia. She is also Certified Yoga Therapist. As a member of the clinical science team at SAI, she provides guidance to the Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to implement evidenced based practices, program development, and knowledge translation. Her professional experience also includes community recreation and trauma informed care. Liz holds a Master of Science from Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University. Liz enjoys creating art, practicing yoga, seasonal activities with her toddlers, and trying new ice cream shops.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Laura Cuadrado, CTRS holds a BS in Recreational Therapy from Radford University and is on track to complete her MSRT in May 2026. Laura has presented at Temple University\u2019s RT Evidence-Based Practice Conferences in both 2024 and 2025, and her work is published on RT Wise Owls, with an upcoming article in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal (expected 2026 issue). Her graduate studies have focused on the impact of recreational therapy within the perinatal population. Passionate about creative, holistic care, Laura hopes to collaborate with local organizations that support pregnant and parenting individuals to expand their access to meaningful, person-centered services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Olivia Demmler, CTRS, MSRT Student received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University in May of 2025. She is now working as a graduate student research assistant at Temple University\u2019s Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Through this she has gained experience working with adults in the Philadelphia area who have mental health diagnoses. She has prior experience working with children and adolescents both in and outside the recreational therapy field. Olivia is pursuing her Master\u2019s in Recreational Therapy while working as a graduate student research assistant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Katherine Griffiths, CTRS, ATP, earned her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University in 2009 and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in 2010. She obtained her Assistive Technology Professional certification through RESNA in 2015. Katherine has extensive experience supporting individuals with complex physical disabilities and specializes in Assistive Technology at Inglis in Philadelphia, PA. As an AT Educator for Inglis Assistive Technology Solutions, she provides evaluations, training, education, and device acquisition. Her work ranges from teaching basic smartphone communication skills to helping clients implement comprehensive smart\u2011home systems that enhance independence and safety at home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Laurna Heathcott, MSRT Student received a Bachelor\u2019s of Science degree in Exercise Science from the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions at Immaculata University. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Assistant at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility which provides skilled nursing and respiratory care for children.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Kelsey Jardine is a senior Rec therapy student with a minor in American Sign Language graduating this semester. Kelsey just completed her senior internship in Atlanta, Georgia at the Shepherd Center, an inpatient rehab hospital working with patients with acquired brain injury. She has a passion for working with older adults and outdoor and adventure recreation, hoping to bring these together in future roles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Holly Lynn enjoys long walks with her puppy, Ivy, anything outdoors water-related, and pushing herself outside her comfort zone in the sport of climbing. While she doesn\u2019t consider herself an expert in that or any other space, she has over 15 years of experience as a coordinator and director in the youth camping and student activities world and is passionate about eliminating access barriers to nature. Holly has worked, studied, and volunteered both abroad and stateside, focusing on equitable, transformative adventure programming. On Ambler Campus you may find Holly at the outdoor pool, the low ropes challenge course, or talking with students as her title \u201cAssistant Director of Campus and Student Affairs\u201d includes many hats. If you\u2019re hoping for a chat, a salted-caramel coffee, a pretty plant, or a fun new twist on a game are great ways to catch her interest!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Sarah Malogrino, CTRS, MSRT Student earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Slippery Rock University in May of 2021 and has been practicing as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since September 2021. She has primarily worked with older adults but also has experience working with adolescents. Sarah is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy at Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Therapy Manager at Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Bryan P. McCormick, PhD, CTRS is a professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Barnett College of Public Health at Temple University. He is the principal investigator of a NIDILRR funded Field Initiated Project (FIP) Community Participation Navigators: Testing a Peer Intervention for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses, which is currently testing an intervention to enhance community participation. He is the author or co-author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications and research abstracts, and his teaching has principally been around research and evaluation. Dr. McCormick is a past president of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Robin McNeal, CTRS, FDRT, ICE-CCP, is the Director of Credentialing and also a Credentialing Specialist at NCTRC. As the Director of Credentialing, she serves as the primary contact for all internal procedures regarding the NCTRC Credentialing program. She is also responsible for reviewing certification applications and answering questions about each application process. Prior to joining NCTRC, she had many years of clinical experience working in various settings including physical rehabilitation and long term care. Robin has her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College. She has presented at regional, national and international conferences, as well as to colleges and university programs on NCTRC Certification, Recertification and Areas of Specialization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Gabriella Mistalski is a Senior in the undergraduate Recreational Therapy Program at Temple University. She expects to receive her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy in May 2026. Gabriella completed her junior internship at Friends Hospital, where she provided game-based activities to patients in a behavioral health setting, took assessments, and reviewed progress notes. Gabriella is completing her senior internship at Gemma Services, where she is providing activities of a multitude of modalities and writing session notes for pediatric care in a behavioral residential care setting. Gabriella previously served as the special events coordinator for the Temple University Recreational Therapy Student Association (RTSA). She volunteered previously at the Temple University Amblers Evidence-Based Practice Conference. After graduation, she plans to sit for the NCTRC exam to become a CTRS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Jodi Obeid is a PHD Candidate in Dance Studies at Temple University, with a focus on adaptive dance education practices and movement, cognition, and learning. She is a first-year teaching fellow at Temple in the College of Performing Arts. Alongside her studies in the department, Jodi is working with the PA state department of education to rewrite the standards for arts education K-12 committee, trains new dance education teachers within the school district of Philadelphia, and works in community programs through dance and movement in partnership with multiple area nonprofits. Previously, she worked with students and teachers to develop movement programs in Special Education classrooms, taught dance and performance at Rowan University, and is certified in Yoga. She has an MA in Dance Education and a BA in Dance and French. She is interested in interdisciplinary work in education, recreational therapy, and dance. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Melinda Alushaj is a Leisure + Wellness Engagement Lead in aged care, supporting multiple residential homes and multidisciplinary teams across New South Wales and the ACT. With over 20 years of experience in the aged-care sector, she is deeply passionate about enhancing quality of life and meaningful engagement for older adults. Melinda leads the development and statewide rollout of the Vibrant Living wellbeing and engagement framework, integrating therapeutic recreation principles, dementia-friendly design, and resident-directed practice. In her role, she provides strategic guidance, coaching, and quality oversight to ensure consistent implementation across both jurisdictions. She specializes in staff capability building, culture development, and embedding meaningful, evidence-informed engagement aligned with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Valerie Antonsanti, MSRT Student holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education for Special Needs from the University of Puerto Rico, Bayam\u00f3n, and is a Master of Science Candidate in Recreational Therapy at Temple University. She serves full-time as a Life Skills Teacher at Commonwealth-Parkville School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Valerie actively volunteers with the Community Living Center (CLC) at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Hospital, applying clinical experience in recreational therapy. She is also an active member of the Asociaci\u00f3n de Terapistas Recreativos (ATR) in Puerto Rico. Her background in adaptive physical education, combined with her advanced study in recreational therapy, makes her a strong asset for programs focused on adaptive and holistic wellness.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Kyra Baker has a decade of experience supporting young adults with mental illnesses to identify and pursue their interests and passions, and connect with the people and places in their communities. As a person with lived experience of mental health challenges, Kyra believe in the power of connection and meaningful participation as a pathway to mental health recovery.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Heather Burket, MEd, CTRS, CCLS is an instructor and field coordinator in the Recreational Therapy program at Temple University. She is a dually certified Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life Specialist who has worked in the field of pediatric therapeutic recreation and child life for nearly 20 years. She has been employed in a variety of pediatric service domains including medical daycare, step-down intensive care, acute rehabilitation, as well as behavioral and community health. She has had exposure to multiple acute care service arenas including but not limited to oncology, neurology, ICU, emergency care, and outpatient clinic services. Heather is a Past-President for the New Jersey Eastern Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Association, has served as an NCTRC and CLCC exam item writer, is the Delaware state representative on the Joint Taskforce for the exploration of RT licensure, is a past Peg-Connelly Scholarship Recipient of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. She has additionally had training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and is a Life is Good Playmaker. Heather has research interests in trauma informed care, neurodiversity in girls and women, coping with adverse childhood experiences, leisure awareness, social skill development, and interprofessional collaboration\/education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Olivia Cheskey, CTRS, MSRT Student has been working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since June of 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in the Health Sciences from Old Dominion University (ODU) where she majored in Recreational Therapy. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time on the brain injury unit at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, VA. Olivia has presented at the Southern Gerontological Society and the ODU Recreational Therapy Symposium on topics such as interdisciplinary education, post-traumatic amnesia, and recreational therapy education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Nancy Cinto is a Certified Recreation Therapist and Manager for the Inglis Assistive Technology Program at Inglis House. Nancy joined Inglis in 2017 as the lead CTRS for Inglis\u2019s Enhanced Day Program. In 2024, Nancy transitioned to the Assistive Technology Department and is currently on track to sit for the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) exam. Passionate about fostering independence and inclusion, Nancy oversees AT Services at Inglis House, which includes an Open Computer lab, the innovative AT Helpdesk Service, and the Research and Design Lab to promote technology confidence to the residents of Inglis House.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Andy Connell, MSRT Student has a background in Secondary Education with experience in all levels of education as well as extensive experience in youth summer camp programs. He is currently working as lead program coordinator for the Delaware National Guard\u2019s Child and Youth program delivering resilience training to the children of Guard dependents across the state.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Liz Creasman, MS, CTRS, C-IAYT is the Therapeutic Recreation Advisor at Sheltering Arms Institute in Richmond, Virginia. She is also Certified Yoga Therapist. As a member of the clinical science team at SAI, she provides guidance to the Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to implement evidenced based practices, program development, and knowledge translation. Her professional experience also includes community recreation and trauma informed care. Liz holds a Master of Science from Maryland University of Integrative Health and a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University. Liz enjoys creating art, practicing yoga, seasonal activities with her toddlers, and trying new ice cream shops.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Laura Cuadrado, CTRS holds a BS in Recreational Therapy from Radford University and is on track to complete her MSRT in May 2026. Laura has presented at Temple University\u2019s RT Evidence-Based Practice Conferences in both 2024 and 2025, and her work is published on RT Wise Owls, with an upcoming article in the Therapeutic Recreation Journal (expected 2026 issue). Her graduate studies have focused on the impact of recreational therapy within the perinatal population. Passionate about creative, holistic care, Laura hopes to collaborate with local organizations that support pregnant and parenting individuals to expand their access to meaningful, person-centered services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Olivia Demmler, CTRS, MSRT Student received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University in May of 2025. She is now working as a graduate student research assistant at Temple University\u2019s Collaborative on Community Inclusion. Through this she has gained experience working with adults in the Philadelphia area who have mental health diagnoses. She has prior experience working with children and adolescents both in and outside the recreational therapy field. Olivia is pursuing her Master\u2019s in Recreational Therapy while working as a graduate student research assistant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Katherine Griffiths, CTRS, ATP, earned her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University in 2009 and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in 2010. She obtained her Assistive Technology Professional certification through RESNA in 2015. Katherine has extensive experience supporting individuals with complex physical disabilities and specializes in Assistive Technology at Inglis in Philadelphia, PA. As an AT Educator for Inglis Assistive Technology Solutions, she provides evaluations, training, education, and device acquisition. Her work ranges from teaching basic smartphone communication skills to helping clients implement comprehensive smart\u2011home systems that enhance independence and safety at home.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Laurna Heathcott, MSRT Student received a Bachelor\u2019s of Science degree in Exercise Science from the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions at Immaculata University. Currently, she is working towards her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy from Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Assistant at the Voorhees Pediatric Facility which provides skilled nursing and respiratory care for children.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Kelsey Jardine is a senior Rec therapy student with a minor in American Sign Language graduating this semester. Kelsey just completed her senior internship in Atlanta, Georgia at the Shepherd Center, an inpatient rehab hospital working with patients with acquired brain injury. She has a passion for working with older adults and outdoor and adventure recreation, hoping to bring these together in future roles.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Holly Lynn enjoys long walks with her puppy, Ivy, anything outdoors water-related, and pushing herself outside her comfort zone in the sport of climbing. While she doesn\u2019t consider herself an expert in that or any other space, she has over 15 years of experience as a coordinator and director in the youth camping and student activities world and is passionate about eliminating access barriers to nature. Holly has worked, studied, and volunteered both abroad and stateside, focusing on equitable, transformative adventure programming. On Ambler Campus you may find Holly at the outdoor pool, the low ropes challenge course, or talking with students as her title \u201cAssistant Director of Campus and Student Affairs\u201d includes many hats. If you\u2019re hoping for a chat, a salted-caramel coffee, a pretty plant, or a fun new twist on a game are great ways to catch her interest!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Sarah Malogrino, CTRS, MSRT Student earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Slippery Rock University in May of 2021 and has been practicing as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since September 2021. She has primarily worked with older adults but also has experience working with adolescents. Sarah is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy at Temple University while working full-time as a Recreation Therapy Manager at Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bryan P. McCormick, PhD, CTRS is a professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Barnett College of Public Health at Temple University. He is the principal investigator of a NIDILRR funded Field Initiated Project (FIP) Community Participation Navigators: Testing a Peer Intervention for Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses, which is currently testing an intervention to enhance community participation. He is the author or co-author of over 150 peer-reviewed publications and research abstracts, and his teaching has principally been around research and evaluation. Dr. McCormick is a past president of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Robin McNeal, CTRS, FDRT, ICE-CCP, is the Director of Credentialing and also a Credentialing Specialist at NCTRC. As the Director of Credentialing, she serves as the primary contact for all internal procedures regarding the NCTRC Credentialing program. She is also responsible for reviewing certification applications and answering questions about each application process. Prior to joining NCTRC, she had many years of clinical experience working in various settings including physical rehabilitation and long term care. Robin has her Bachelor\u2019s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Ithaca College. She has presented at regional, national and international conferences, as well as to colleges and university programs on NCTRC Certification, Recertification and Areas of Specialization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Gabriella Mistalski is a Senior in the undergraduate Recreational Therapy Program at Temple University. She expects to receive her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy in May 2026. Gabriella completed her junior internship at Friends Hospital, where she provided game-based activities to patients in a behavioral health setting, took assessments, and reviewed progress notes. Gabriella is completing her senior internship at Gemma Services, where she is providing activities of a multitude of modalities and writing session notes for pediatric care in a behavioral residential care setting. Gabriella previously served as the special events coordinator for the Temple University Recreational Therapy Student Association (RTSA). She volunteered previously at the Temple University Amblers Evidence-Based Practice Conference. After graduation, she plans to sit for the NCTRC exam to become a CTRS.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Jodi Obeid is a PHD Candidate in Dance Studies at Temple University, with a focus on adaptive dance education practices and movement, cognition, and learning. She is a first-year teaching fellow at Temple in the College of Performing Arts. Alongside her studies in the department, Jodi is working with the PA state department of education to rewrite the standards for arts education K-12 committee, trains new dance education teachers within the school district of Philadelphia, and works in community programs through dance and movement in partnership with multiple area nonprofits. Previously, she worked with students and teachers to develop movement programs in Special Education classrooms, taught dance and performance at Rowan University, and is certified in Yoga. She has an MA in Dance Education and a BA in Dance and French. She is interested in interdisciplinary work in education, recreational therapy, and dance. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>