Ann James Award    

Ann James worked as a recreation therapist in several settings overseas and in the US, Ann completed her Ph.D. and began teaching at Clemson University in South Carolina in 1975. From her experiences working in isolated areas, Ann learned to appreciate and cherish opportunities to gather with colleagues at professional conferences where they could compare notes, update skills together, and commiserate about shared stressors. Read More

Gene Hayes Student Scholarship Award    

Gene, “Doc” Hayes, Ph.D, CTRS, FDRT began his illustrious career in 1960 after graduating from Fresno State College. After working in large state mental hospitals for 3 years Gene accepted a Comeback, Inc. scholarship to receive his MS degree from the University of North Carolina, studying under Harold Meyers and Doug Sessoms and worked at UNC Memorial Hospital in the Psychiatry Department.  Read More

RAY WEST FIRST-YEAR PRACTITIONER AWARD

Ray West, M.S., LRT/CTRS, FDRT  has played a significant role in the development of the recreational therapy profession and mentored countless students and professionals over the course of his esteemed career. Ray received his Bachelor of Science from Lock Haven State College (1970) and Master of Science from The Pennsylvania State University (1979).   Read More

THOMAS K. SKALKO AWARD FOR PUBLIC POLICY

The Thomas K. Skalko Award for Public Policy is named after long time SRTS Board Member, Dr. Thom Skalko.  Thom served the profession as Chair or Member of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s Federal Public Policy Team from 1984 to 2020.  In addition, Thom has served in roles on the Licensure Team in the passage of the North Carolina Recreational Therapy Licensure Act and five years as the chair of the North Carolina Board for Recreational Therapy Licensure.  Read More

AL KAYE SRTS POSTER SESSION

Alfred (AL) Kaye originally from Aberdeen, MD attended Pfeiffer University graduating with a degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Mathematics in greater Misenheimer, NC in 1978. He was active with FCA as a double collegiate athlete in soccer and golf. He was inducted in 2012 Pfeiffer Athletic Hall of Fame for his 1975 soccer team with many NAIA honors in the Carolinas Conference. Read More

PAM WILSON SERVANT LEADER AWARD

Pam has an extensive career of servant leadership to the profession at the national, regional, and state level and has acted as mentor to numerous students and practitioners throughout the years. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Recreation Administration (TR Option) and is recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the National Academy of Recreational Therapy. As the clinical director of Recreation Therapy at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health, Pam manages inpatient, outpatient and revenue sourced recreation therapy programs in addition to aquatic therapy, massage therapy, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and the hospital school program. Her involvement in areas of grant writing, strategic planning, marketing, public policy, and student development makes her a frequent conference presenter. Read More