Awards & Recognition
2021 Outstanding Member
This recognition is for a URTA member who has made a significant contribution during the past year by promoting the profession, practice, and philosophy of Recreation Therapy.
Alyssa Beers
This individual has been an incredible director of the recreation therapy program at her facility. She is constantly striving to improve the program and profession by making sure best practices are followed, supporting students through internships,, and advocating with administration. She is constantly asking as a director what she can do to support the team so they are able to make a positive impact in the lives of the youth they serve.. She has dealt with tremendous issues at the facility this year and has been consistently challenged to make changes and adapt to unfamiliar situations. She has been a super hero for the department. She has helped the department through transitions and taken the time to listen to concerns. She has advocated for RT as professionals and as practitioners. She has helped the department survive the uncertainties and continues to be positive and proactive. She is a great example of what a recreational therapist should be. She seeks to consistently maintain a RT program that is based on the APIED process. She is always fighting for the Rec therapists that she oversees and really cares about the residents she works with! She runs an excellent department. She does an incredible job ensuring the interns out of her program are competent and ready to engage in the field.
Past Outstanding Members
2021:
2020: Heather Brown
2019: Sophie Wolfe
2018:
2017: Kami Houck
2016: Jeremiah Cox
2015: Joe Walker
Monica Dixon
Laura Bennion
2007: Steven Bell
2004: Shauna Smith
2003: Mauria Tanner
2002: Kerri Ashcroft
2001: Janeal Ford
2000: Fran Wilby
1999: Kelly Dysart
1998: Chris Forsdick
1997: Susan Call
1996: Janice Larsen
1995: Scott Dorsey
1994: Trish Jensen
1993: Sydney Post
1992: Jody Jacobs
1991: Eleanor Houston
1990: Jane Daniels
1989: Trish DeYoung
1988: Gary Ethington
1987: Sandra Negley
1986: Sandra Negley & Pas Strasser
1985: Sandra Negley & Mary Morris
2021 Distinguished Service
This award is for an individual who has helped the profession of Recreation Therapy grow through a lifetime of commitment and service.
Charles Wilson
This individual recently retired after 40+ years of working with patients with mental illnesses. Over the course of his lifetime, he has worked closely with patients to prepare them to utilize leisure to return to a functioning life in the community. He has a way of connecting with patients in a way that truly is touching to see. He sees them as people and has deeper relationships than most staff ever truly develop with their clientele. This recreation therapist has adapted to workplace policy and procedure changes over the years while working at the same facility throughout his time as a TRS. He continually showed dedication to patient care and sought to continuously improve their quality of life. Now that he has retired, he truly will be missed by patients and staff alike at the Utah State Hospital.
Past Distinguished Service
2020: Ramon Zabriskie
2019: Keith Barney
2018: Jamie Bennett
2017:
2016: Karie Swensen
Pat Park
Sandy Negley
Syd Post
Mauria Tanner
2006: Michele Beal
2004: Trish DeYoung
2003: Michele Beal
2002: Eleanor Till
2001: Jeri Claspill
2000: Janice Larsen
1999: Jackie Welch
1998: Trish DeYoung
1997: Gary Ethington
1996: Cathy Morris
1995: Connie Molitor
1994: Frankie Draidfort
1993: Trish Jensen
1992: Sandra Negley
1991: Jesse Carter
1990: Leland Slaughter
1989: Ann Stacey
1988: John Clift
1987: Boyd Call
1986: Clark Thorstenson
1985: Sydney Post
2021 Outstanding Program
This award is for an individual, group, or institution which has developed a TR program to improve the quality of life of the clients served. Criteria may include longevity, communication of ideas to others, professionalism and the education and enhancement of those involved.
Crescent Senior Living- Katherine Wright
This facility opened two years ago, and their Recreation Therapy program was built from ground zero. The program goes above and beyond requirements in every aspect. With the creation of high quality assessments, the program ensures that the needs and interests of each client are met. Their programs are created based on the needs of the clients and are evidence-based. The program utilizes the latest research in the field and the recreation therapy department has an office full of research binders to reference for the department. This new research is continually implemented into the client programs. The documentation system the recreation therapist created is also being utilized by other departments. The recreation therapist created and utilizes evaluations, tracking and reviewing the client stats quarterly to measure how clients are responding to their treatment plans and how to make improvements. The recreation therapist willingly shares knowledge and mentors students and welcomes interns. She has great rapport with her clients and with other professionals that she works with. She is a fierce advocate for Recreation Therapy and through her tutoring and insistence in following the TR process in her facility, her administrators have learned to understand and respect the importance of Recreation Therapy. The client programs have been highlighted on the news on several occasions and she advocates and educates the public on Recreation Therapy through her interviews. She is a valuable team member at her facility and is the one who schedules the IDT meetings. During the past year she also keeps her facility united through daily newsletters and frequent Zoom meetings. The calendar is always filled and there is a lot of variety, so residents don’t get tired or bored of recurring activities. In response to COVID restrictions, the program puts in extra effort to boost the spirits of the residents living at this facility.. For example, during a quarantine period every other day she would pass around a treat or a note of encouragement to each resident to boost their mood. A monthly packet that goes over everything that happened in the past month and what is in store for the current month is passed out to every resident. The recreation therapist has created a program of excellence.
Past Outstanding Programs
2021:
2020: BYU TR Program
2019: Behavioral Health Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
2018:
2017: Brighton Recovery Center
2016: University of Utah - Sandy Negley and Steve Bell
Copper Hills Youth Center
National Ability Center
UNI
Maple Lake Academy
Westridge Academy
2021 Community Service
This award recognizes an individual who has helped and promoted Recreation Therapy although he or she is not a Recreation Therapist. This may have been done through volunteerism, legislative or policy support, offering programs, or other significant contribution.
Ross VanVranken
This individual has been the Executive Director of Huntsman Mental Health Institute (formerly University Neuropsychiatric Institute) since 1991. During his time, he has both supported and actively promoted recreation therapy as a critical part of the interdisciplinary care for the patients at HMHI. Today, recreation therapy and the greater expressive therapy umbrella are responsible for hundreds of hours of programming across about fifteen units and multiple service lines. If it weren't for him and his support, recreation therapy would not be as celebrated and recognized at University of Utah Health. Ross Van Vranken, Executive Director
Past Community Service
2020: Dr. Kent Roundy
2019: Malissa Morrell
2018:
2017:
2016: BYU Therapeutic Recreation Club
Salt Lake County Adaptive
National Ability Center
Senator Gene Davis
Dirk Anjewierden
Therapy Animals of Utah
Intermountain Therapy Animals
2004: UT Healthcare Association and Sen. Gene Davis
2003: Shawna Peterson
2002: Terri Danburg
2001: Snowbird
2000: Intermountain Therapy Animals
1999: Brent Armstrong
1998: Dr. Paul Whitehead
1997: Dr. L. Dale Cruise
1996: Diana Taylor
1995: Larry Garlock
1994: Maxine Peterson
1993: Alma Heaton
1992: Rep. Gene Davis & Rep. Brent Haymond
1991: Dave Fairhurst
1990: Glenda Solomon
1989: Bill Peterson
1988: Mary Pylley
1987: Herb Russell
1986: Senator Richard Carling
1985: Camp Kostopulos