Education
Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Health and Physical Education at Lock Haven State College (now LockHaven University) in Pennsylvania in 1970.
Master of Science Degree with a major in Recreation and Parks (Therapeutic Recreation Specialization) from the Pennsylvania State University in 1979.
Scholarly Contributions
I have served as an associate editor, editor, co-author, and author for twenty-eight publications. Notable among these are the Guidelines for Competency Assessment and Curriculum Planning for Recreational Therapy Practice (ATRA 2008), edited by West, Kinney, and Witman, which became the basis of the first standards for academic accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation of
Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE). I also served as a member of the ATRA Standards of Practice Committee, along with Ann Huston, Bob Riley, Glen Van Andel, Jim Barrett, and Marcia Smith, and co-authored/co-edited the ATRA Standards for the Practice of Recreational Therapy and Self-Assessment Guide (ATRA 1988-2015).
Featured Publications
Skalko, Thomas, K., West, R.E. “Independent Accreditation of Education for Recreational
Therapy Practice: A Professional and Ethical Obligation,” Therapeutic Recreation Journal,
Volume 44, (3), Third Quarter, 2010.
Barrett, J., Riley, B., Van Andel, G., West, R (Eds.). Standards for the Practice of
Therapeutic Recreation & Self-Assessment Guide, American Therapeutic Recreation
Association, Alexandria, VA, 2000.
West, R.E., Kinney, T. and Witman, J. (Eds.). Guidelines for Competency Assessment
and Curriculum Planning for Recreational Therapy Practice, American Therapeutic
Recreation Association, Hattiesburg, MS, 2008
Leadership & Professional Service
I served in leadership positions in state, regional and national organizations including but not limited to: the Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society (President, 1980); North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association (Board of Directors 1988, President-Elect 1989, President, 1990, Chair of Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education 2008-10); North Carolina Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board (1990-1996, Vice Chair 1992-93, Chair 1993-96); North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (Board Member 2005-2010, Vice Chair, 2009-10); Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium (one of the founders, Board of Directors1982-2012, Chair 1982-83, 1992-93,1997-98, 2005-06); National Therapeutic Recreation Society (Board of Directors 1983-85, Executive Committee 1985); American Therapeutic Recreation Association (one of the founders, Board Member 1984/85, President 1985/86, member, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals- Professional Technical and Advisory Committee([JCAHO-HAP-PTAC] 1993-2004.); National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (Board of Directors, 2001-03); Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education ([CARTE] 2010-2012, Vice Chair, 2010); National Academy of Recreational Therapists ([2009]served as a member of the founding committee along with Dave Austin, Frank Brasille, Peg Connolly, Mary Ann Keogh-Hoss, Thomas Skalko, Pam Wilson, Sharon Nichols, Carmen Russoniello and Sandy Negley).
Professional Awards & Recognition
I have been recognized and honored for professional contributions including, but not limited to: a SRTS Scholarship named Ray E. West Scholarship, 2012; Recognized as Centennial Leader by the College of Health and Human Performance at East Carolina University, 2008; North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association renamed the Distinguished Member Award, the Ray E. West Distinguished Member Award, 2005; Presidents Award, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 2004; Distinguished Member Award, North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association, 1997; Presidential Award, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1997; Special Services Award, Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society, 1993; Certificate of Appreciation, Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society, 1993; Presidential Award, North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association, 1993; Distinguished Fellow Award, American Therapeutic Recreation Association,1991; Presidents Award, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1988; Member of the Year, National Therapeutic Recreation Society, 1985; Presidential Award, National Therapeutic Recreation Society, 1984; Certificate of Appreciation, Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Society, 1980.