Anne T. Wieland, CTRS, MHA

President Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society (2015-2017)

TRI-2015 Education Chair

 

It is hard to believe that 47th Annual Therapeutic Recreation Institute is one week away. This year theme is "Getting Back to FUNdamentals." We look forward to making this another great learning opportunity for Recreation Therapist, Activity Directors, and/or Allied Health Professional, at a destination where you can unwind and enjoy yourself before returning to work

 

Have you already registered? Yes! That is great you are in for fantastic and amazing experience.

 

What you said no you have not registered yet... as the President of PTRS and the Education Chair for the TRI-2015, I would like to cordially invite you to attend the 47th Annual Therapeutic Recreation Institute at the Double Tree Resort by Hilton, in Lancaster, PA, June 3-5, 2015. Click here to register now!

 

The Education Committee has secured an amazing line up of speakers and the ability to secure 16 CEU's or as much as 22 CEU's if you elect to attend the Pre- Conference. This year's Pre-Conference promises to be up to date and engaging learning experience on the topic of Understanding the Umbrella of Dementia on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

The Social Committee will be offering a variety of activities covering a large range of interests. New this year PTRS will be offering Golf for Fun Outing starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.

 

The Annual Basket Raffle (all communities and attendees are invited to donate a theme basket) provides a chance to win some great prizes and helps support the PTRS Memorial Scholarship Fund.

 

Please visit www.prps.org to register and to learn more about all the FUNdamentals that are to be had by attending the 47th Annual Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute.

 

Click here to download the TRI Registration Guide. Registration is OPEN, click here to register.

 

Exhibit Information

If you would like to exhibit at the TRI, click here for the brochure.

by Jeffrey McCormack  

  

In this day of recreation therapy in physical rehab you have to adjust. You have to adjust to the fact that physical, occupational and speech therapy are the ones that count. That's not to say recreation therapy is not important or needed in the physical rehab setting. It just means facilities do not get paid for our services. However, they also do not get paid for psychology services as well. They don't get paid for nursing either! Can you imagine a person's life gets turned upside down and insurance does not think it is important enough to pay for psychology services?

 

As recreation therapist we need to find our niche. We need to find a way to be relevant but not interfere with the three hours of therapy all patients need to get in a day in order for insurance to pay for the day of therapy. The best way I accomplish this is by co treating. Working on goals needed in all therapies with a leisure spin on it.

 

Click here to continue reading. 

by Haley Smith

 

Does your facility have a Wii? Did the initial excitement wear off and now it spends most of its time collecting dust? You are not alone! Join us at the TRI for an interactive session focused on the use of the Wii and the benefits it can have for our patients. This session will take time to discuss various games the Wii has to offer and what goals can be targeted by each game. Participants will also get a chance for a hands on experience to try the games for themselves. Join us Thursday, June 4 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Lancaster for some Wii-Hab Fun J.

by Becky Przystawski, TR Intern, Wellspan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital

 

Nervous, excited, eager, hopeful; some of the words used to describe my thoughts the day I began my internship. All 3.5 years led up to where I am now. This was it. I walked in wide-eyed and ready to learn. I began my journey with an orientation to the hospital, and was introduced to the department. After that, I met up with Haley Smith, my clinical instructor. I am the first therapeutic recreation intern at Wellspan, and I wanted to leave a mark and set a standard for future interns to come. I started off shadowing Haley, and began to pick up a caseload. Click here to read more.

by Becky Kandrac, CTRS

 

The PTRS Board of Directors has been working really hard over the past several months, to bring quality educational opportunities. We have Spring and Fall workshops scheduled throughout the state, and in just over a week our 47th TRI will be underway at the Doubletree Inn and Resort, in Lancaster PA. Click here for the TRI Registration Guide. As Anne stated above "The Education Committee for the TRI has secured an amazing line up of speakers and the ability to secure 16 CEU's or as much as 22 CEU's if you elect to attend the Pre-Conference. This year's Pre- Conference promises to be up to date and engaging learning experience on the topic of Understanding the Umbrella of Dementia on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m." So please look over what the PTRS has to offer you!

 

The Board is also in a transitional period. We have updated several Board Descriptions, opening up opportunities for new and interested members to join this professional board and pave the pathway for the future in the state of Pennsylvania. Emily Connors is actively looking to fill several positions. See her at the conference to discuss the opportunities or e-mail her at econnors@ycp.edu. The board meets face to face four times a year, and has monthly phone conference calls to conduct business.

To actively engage individuals committed to Therapeutic Recreation, and interested consumers, by supporting professional development, advocacy and resources.