NCTRC Welcomes New Board Members
As a result of the recently conducted Board election, NCTRC is proud to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors. Sandy E. Heath, PhD(c), CTRS and Jillian Ward, LRT/CTRS will officially join the NCTRC Board in May 2021 and serve a three-year term from 2021–2024.
Sandy E. Heath, PhD(c), CTRS resides in Austin, Texas. Sandy became a CTRS® after earning her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas State University. Sandy’s career as a CTRS® has focused on outdoor adaptive sports, community inclusion,
and legislative advocacy working at local and state government agencies. Sandy currently serves as the agency manager of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) program at the State of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department working to create mid-level and senior-level jobs for CTRS’s in order to better serve people with (dis)abilities. Sandy believes in a life filled with learning and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Therapeutic Recreation from Clemson University and is a per course lecturer at Texas State University.
Jillian Ward, LRT/CTRS resides in Wilson, North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Psychology from Winston-Salem State University. Currently, she is a recreational therapist at a neurological treatment center. The population she serves consists
of individuals with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and Huntington’s Disease. Jillian completes recreational therapy assessments, plans, implements, and evaluates activities, plans special events and community re-entry outings. She also attends interdisciplinary meetings to discuss resident’s current health status which includes leisure interest and engagement.
NCTRC has re-appointed Debbie M. Jurkoic as NCTRC’s Consumer Representative. She will serve a second three-year term from 2021–2024. Deb resides in Lee, New Hampshire. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Simmons University in Boston. She is a service coordinator at One Sky Area Agency working with individuals with disabilities,
ages 14–18, and supports them in their journey toward independence and their hopes and dreams. Deb also works as a Yoga Teacher and has experience working with individuals with all abilities, ages teen to adult. As NCTRC’s Consumer Representative, she brings perspective as someone who has supported recreational activities and as a parent of an individual receiving recreation therapy services.
If you or someone you know is interested in being considered for the NCTRC Board or committee appointment, please contact the NCTRC Nomination and Elections Committee via Anne Richard, at (845) 639-1439 or nctrc@nctrc.org.