Is North Carolina the Number One State for RT?
As a Hoosier, I've always felt that Indiana was a strong state for RT. Indiana University has had a long and distinguished history in RT and today IU's RT program continues to be among the best in the nation. I must admit, however, that North Carolina may be the best place in the United States for recreational therapy. Here is why.
For one thing North Carolina has a rich heritage in RT. Dave Park emerged from North Carolina to become a national leader in RT and to become the "founding father" of ATRA. ATRA's first board held its initial meeting at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. Peg Connolly, now on faculty at Western Carolina University, served as the first ATRA president. Ray West (long associated with UNC) was the second president of ATRA. Other ATRA presidents with North Carolina ties have included Thom Skalko and Carmen Russoiello, who now serve on the faculty at East Carolina University, and Pam Wilson from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Pam was recently named a Distinguished Fellow by ATRA for her exceptioanal career in providing leadership for RT both in North Carolina and nationally.
Some of the best RTs and RT programs have traditionally been found in North Carolina. Particularly outstanding have been the University of North Carolina Hospitals, in Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem. Many students, from across the nation, have completed internships at this facilities know for their excellence.
The state of North Carolina has some of the best know university RT professional preparation programs in the nation as well. UNC at Chapel Hill, in the days of Lee Meyer, was once known for its RT program. More recently, East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and Western Carolina University have emerged as schools with outstanding reputations for their RT academic programs. Cindy Konarski's Western Piedmont Community College program has long enjoyed a wonderful reputation among two-year programs.
Additionally, North Carolina has had an exceptionally strong state professional association. The North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association is known throughout the nation as a leader among state RT membership organizations.
Finally, during the 2005 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly amended the Therapeutic Recreation Personnel Certification Act (Chapter 90-C). Effective October 5, 2005 North Carolina became the second state in the nation to license individuals to provide recreational therapy services.
I wish Indiana could claim to be "Number 1" among the states for RT. But, for now, I must confess my nod has to go to the state of North Carolina.
For one thing North Carolina has a rich heritage in RT. Dave Park emerged from North Carolina to become a national leader in RT and to become the "founding father" of ATRA. ATRA's first board held its initial meeting at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. Peg Connolly, now on faculty at Western Carolina University, served as the first ATRA president. Ray West (long associated with UNC) was the second president of ATRA. Other ATRA presidents with North Carolina ties have included Thom Skalko and Carmen Russoiello, who now serve on the faculty at East Carolina University, and Pam Wilson from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Pam was recently named a Distinguished Fellow by ATRA for her exceptioanal career in providing leadership for RT both in North Carolina and nationally.
Some of the best RTs and RT programs have traditionally been found in North Carolina. Particularly outstanding have been the University of North Carolina Hospitals, in Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem. Many students, from across the nation, have completed internships at this facilities know for their excellence.
The state of North Carolina has some of the best know university RT professional preparation programs in the nation as well. UNC at Chapel Hill, in the days of Lee Meyer, was once known for its RT program. More recently, East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and Western Carolina University have emerged as schools with outstanding reputations for their RT academic programs. Cindy Konarski's Western Piedmont Community College program has long enjoyed a wonderful reputation among two-year programs.
Additionally, North Carolina has had an exceptionally strong state professional association. The North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association is known throughout the nation as a leader among state RT membership organizations.
Finally, during the 2005 legislative session, the North Carolina General Assembly amended the Therapeutic Recreation Personnel Certification Act (Chapter 90-C). Effective October 5, 2005 North Carolina became the second state in the nation to license individuals to provide recreational therapy services.
I wish Indiana could claim to be "Number 1" among the states for RT. But, for now, I must confess my nod has to go to the state of North Carolina.
posted by Hoosier RT | 10:21 AM
1 Comments:
They do have quantity, but Indiana still has quality! I think we would be farther ahead legislatively if we were a coastal state and not in the conservative part of the country. Maybe this post will rally the troops in Indiana to join RTI and ATRA. We can do more with more numbers.
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