CTRA BORD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT ELECT Erica Egedy, CTRS

PAST PRESIDENTHeather Baker, CTRS

PRESIDENT VACANT

TREASURER VACANT - Covered by Heather Baker

SECRETARYVACENT

DIRECTOR AT LARGE Emma Caldwell, CTRS

DIRECTOR AT LARGE Chelsea Rauh, CTRS

DIRECTOR AT LARGEShelly Smith, CTRS

DIRECTOR AT LARGENicholas Kathen, CTRS

Erica Egedy, BREC, CTRS

President- elect

Erica completed a Bachelor of Recreation through Memorial University and a Post Graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation through Georgian College, she obtained her CTRS designation in 2019.  Erica has spent most of her career working in Long Term Care but made the switch to community almost two years ago.  Currently, Erica works as a Recreation Development Specialist with the Home First Integrated Network for NL Health Services – Central Zone.

Outside of work, Erica is a goalie mom and spends most of her time at the stadium.  She also enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, kayaking and spending time with her family.  Erica also enjoys her volunteer work.  She is the coach of the senior volleyball team at the local high school and a member of the school council.  She has also held several positions with the Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association over the years which include; President, President Elect, Central VP and Membership Coordinator.  

Heather Baker, CTRS

PAST President

Heather Baker is a Recreation Therapist at Capital District Health Authority in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. She has worked in a variety of service delivery areas and is currently the Consult Recreation Therapist for the Therapeutic Assistant Service where her work is focused on managing responsive behaviors in an acute care setting. Heather graduated from Dalhousie University in 2005 with a BSc in Therapeutic Recreation. Prior to her introduction to  therapeutic recreation she was pursuing a career in the field of nursing. She is currently serving a term as the Vice President of the Therapeutic Recreation
Association of Atlantic Canada (TRAAC) and has previously held TRAAC board positions as a student director, treasurer, advocacy chair, and president. Heather is also the Chair of TRAAC’s Licensure Committee. She recently joined the CTRA Board of Directors, serving a term as the treasurer and is the Chair of CTRA’s Regulation Committee. Heather has presented provincially and nationally on a variety of topics including licensure, managing responsive behaviors and working with individuals with cognitive impairments. For those who don’t know her, Heather thoroughly  enjoys her work and although it appears that she has little time to engage in leisure she manages to enjoy a variety of leisure activities between her work life and volunteer commitments. She thoroughly enjoys reading, spending time in the kitchen, playing the piano, enjoying nature, spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking and travel to name just a few.

VACANT - Covered by Heather Baker

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds and securities of CTRA and shall keep full and accurate accounts of all assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements.

The Treasurer shall render to the President and Directors at regular meetings of the board of directors, or whenever it may be required, an accounting of all the transactions and a statement of the financial position of the association.

If you are interested in this position please fill out the nomination form!

VACANT

president

 

If you are interested in this position, please fill out the nomination form!

VACANT

Secretary

The Secretary shall give or cause to be given, notice of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend all meetings, act as clerk and record all notes and minutes. The Secretary is the custodian of the corporate seal.

If you are interested in this position please fill out the nomination form!

Emma Caldwell, BTR, CTRS

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

Emma Caldwell is a Recreation Therapist with Recovery Alberta.  Emma completed her Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation at Douglas College in 2014.  She received her CTRS certification in 2014 and is currently working at Young Adult Services in Addiction and Mental Health.  Her areas of interest include outdoor experiential learning and evidence informed program development.  Prior to completing her degree, Emma promoted inclusivity in adaptive sport of canoe/kayak at the club, provincial and national levels.  She is looking forward to the new learning opportunities that will come with the role of Western Director and brings an abundance of enthusiasm to the team.

Emma is a mom to two tiny humans and one giant snuggle bug of a pup.  Her leisure interests vary greatly with the seasons- from gardening in the summer, puzzling and snowboarding with her littles in the winter, trail running when conditions allow and enjoying a warm cup of coffee on the daily.

Chelsea Rauh, CTRS

DIRECTOR AT LARGE

Chelsea Rauh currently works as a Recreation Therapist at Grandview Children’s Treatment Centre and was recently appointed Research Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in the PEARL lab of the Holland Bloorview Research Institute. In 2023 she obtained her Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential and graduated from the Brock University Recreation and Leisure Professional Stream program focussing her thesis on Recreation Therapy and technology. Chelsea has over 12 years of experience working with clients and families across the lifespan and caring for clients of all abilities through a strength-based solution focused lens. She is a strong client and family advocate passionate about reducing barriers, building bridges, building/rebuilding/retaining life skills, supporting coping, connection, and meeting basic human needs through partnership and collaboration. She also graduated from Georgian College Therapeutic Recreation Graduate Certificate program and the University of Toronto with an Honours Degree in Arts and Sciences. She has been registered R/TRO since 2017.

Chelsea is a mama to an amazing little fella and furry friend Bella kitty. Some of her leisure interests include making memories with family/friends, knitting/crocheting, swinging in her hammock under a canopy of trees, water sports and singing Soprano with the Pax Christi Chorale. 

Shelly Smith, CTRS

director at large

Shelley lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has worked in the field of Recreation Therapy since 2000. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings including Dementia Care, Transitional Care, Acute Care, Neurology and Stroke, and Pediatric Rehabilitation. She worked as a Recreation Therapy Associate until she obtained her CTRS designation in January 2011. Currently, Shelley is the full-time faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College Ivany Campus teaching in the Therapeutic Recreation Diploma Program. She has also dabbled in contract work while exploring options for private practice.

 

Shelley has been involved with her Provincial Therapeutic Recreation Professional Associations since 2005 and has held various Board Level positions over the years, including President, Recording Officer and Zone Director.  She has also sat on the NCTRC Standards Review Committee since 2022 and acted as Chair of the Committee. Currently, Shelley Co-Chairs the NSTRA Licensure and Advocacy Committee. She has been an active member of CTRA for a number of years and was recently co-chair of the CTRA Conference held in Halifax, NS. She has also co-chaired the CTRA conference in 2018 and was part of the planning committees while CTRA was held in Halifax in 2012, 2006 and 2000.

 

As part of her own leisure, Shelley enjoys spending time with her 2 kids, travelling, staying active and exploring her creative side. She is so excited to be a part of the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association Board of Directors and is eager to dig into the important work ahead at the national level!

Nicholas Kathen, M.Ed, R/TRO, CTRS

director at large

Nicholas Kathen is a Recreation Therapist based in Ottawa, Ontario, currently practicing at the The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (ROMHC). He holds a Diploma in Recreation Therapy from Canadore College, a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies (Therapeutic Recreation Major) from Brock University, and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Health Professions Education from the University of Ottawa. Nicholas is a Registered Professional Member (R/TRO) with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario and a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the NCTRC.

At The Royal, he works within the Youth Inpatient Psychiatry Program, helping youth engage in purposeful activities that support their well-being during hospitalization and as they transition back into the community.

Nicholas is committed to advancing the field of recreation therapy and hopes to support the CTRA as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors. He is passionate about amplifying practitioner voices across Canada and fostering a unified vision for the profession. Drawing on his M.Ed. in Health Professions Education, he also aims to collaborate with post-secondary institutions to enhance competency-based training and promote expanded educational opportunities through CTRA

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