LEADERSHIP ATRA CLASS OF 2004

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is pleased to announce the first group of candidates selected for the prestigious inaugural class of Leadership ATRA. ATRA Past President GT Thompson spearheaded the creation of this exciting new program, with the goal of “Developing Leadership for A Promising Future.” According to Thompson, The LEADERSHIP ATRA experience has an immediate, positive effect on the participants and their Therapeutic Recreation practice. Each person is better informed and more skilled in active organizational leadership. The real value of the program is evidenced, as graduates become leaders in positions of responsibility in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and the medical community at large.

STACIA CARROLL, CTRS

I have recently taken an extended leave from my previous position as Leader Recreational Therapist for Trinity Medical Center due to the birth of my son. I am currently pursuing and have applied for a Graduate Assistantship position at Western Illinois University. I have been married to my husband Tim for seven years and we have two children, Lauren, 6 and Carter, nine months. I enjoy fitness activities and love to vacation.

Kim Clark

I have been a recreational therapist for 9 years. I currently work at Bloomington Hospital on the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. I have been very active in my state chapter and have had the opportunity to be involved at the national level with the Peg Connolly Scholarship Program. Most of my free time is spent with my family. My interests include scrapbooking, gardening, hiking and playing the piano.

Colleen A. Cooke, Ed.D., CTRS

I am an Associate Professor at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA. I am one of two faculty members who teach the recreational therapy curriculum at Slippery Rock University. I am very fortunate to have an ATRA leader, Dr. Debbi Hutchins, as a colleague. When not teaching or working on some task that Debbi has for me (wink, wink), I enjoy golfing, fishing reading and socializing with friends. My partner and I have two kids, a dog, three cats and three hermit crabs.

Geoff Hopkins

My name is Geoff Hopkins, M.Ed., CTRS. I am the Associate Director of Sports and Recreation for the Paralyzed Veterans of America in Washington, DC. I enjoy providing wheelchair sports and recreation opportunities to veterans and all others with disabilities. Personally I enjoy training and competing in marathon races.

Cathy Jordan

I am Cathy Jordan, CTRS with a Masters in Gerontology. I am the TR at the RehabCenter in Stillwater Medical Center at Stillwater, OK. I sponsored a scholarship in my mother’s name for TR students. She was able to see two students receive it before she passed away last July. I am married to Scott (OSU Outdoor Adventure Coordinator) and have one daughter, who will be 20 this year. I love the outdoors, gardening, playing with our dogs and cats, hiking, kayaking, swimming, skiing, rafting, walking and jogging. I like to travel and have been to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

David Rulnick

I joined ATRA as a student in 1996. I am a member of NETRA which I joined in 1998 while interning. I am a graduate of Southern CT State University (1998) and I have worked primarily in mental health settings. When I joined Leadership ATRA I was unsure of the direction my career was taking. Leadership ATRA has helped me to gain insight and direction. I am currently working for the State of CT Department of Labor but remain involved professionally through my connections with ATRA and NETRA. I am very excited about the potential my future holds, thanks in great part to the experience I have gained with Leadership ATRA.

Holly Talbott, CTRS

I work on the Medical Psychiatric Unit at Bloomington Hospital, Indiana. This is an acute unit and we treat a variety of populations ranging from people with addictions to people with dementia. There is never a dull moment. I enjoy spending time with my husband and two miniature pinschers. My husband and I would like to someday thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.

David Howard

I am an Assistant Professor, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana. I love my job which includes teaching core recreation classes and recreation therapy courses. My degrees are in recreation therapy (B.S.), social work (M.S.W.) and rehabilitation science (Ph.D). I have worked in mental health, substance abuse, and corrections settings. With ATRA I have enjoyed working within the general medicine/oncology treatment network and the Healthy People 2010 World Health Organization sub-teams. On the personal side, I enjoy any and all sports (as a participant and spectator, reading, cooking, working around the house, cultural events, and spending time with my six children.