American Therapeutic Recreation Association
founded in 1984
NEWS RELEASE
September 6, 2004

Contact: Laurie Jake, ATRA Communications Coordinator
Phone (480) 460-1525 or
Ann Huston, ATRA Executive Director
Phone: (703) 683-9420

Recreational Therapist Selected as 2004 GIA Fellow

(Alexandria, VA) ATRA Member Karen Tomasello, CTRS, has been selected for the highly prestigious Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) Fellows Program based on her professional involvement in aging and gerontology. Tomasello and the other selected GIA Fellows have been invited to attend the 2004 Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) Annual Conference in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida. The theme of this year’s Conference is: “The Future Is Here: A Window on Our Changing America.” This conference will highlight local and national program models including topics on Medicare legislation, advocacy, economic and workforce concerns, advances in healthcare delivery, non-traditional partnerships, diversity, intergenerational and environmental issues—any many other issues.

Tomasello will present a poster describing her individual research regarding the impact of intergenerational programs on older adults and will present a ten-minute presentation of her research at the “The 2004 GIA Fellows: Meet Our Future Leaders In Aging,” session.

Tomasello, who works with the Center for Positive Aging, is currently enrolled in the Master's Program in Geriatric Recreational Therapy at Florida Gulf Coast University and was involved with the development of ATRA’s highly successful Dementia Practice Guidelines. Tomasello received an ATRA Certificate of Recognition for her efforts.

For more information, please contact Laurie Jake, CTRS, ATRA Communications Coordinator at (480) 460-1525 or the ATRA National Office at (703) 683-9420.

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The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was founded in 1984 to advance the the profession of therapeutic recreation. ATRA is a non-profit professional membership organization dedicating 100% of resources and efforts to promote therapeutic recreation professionals in health care and human service settings. For more information, please contact the ATRA National Office