Executive

 

2023-2024: Executive

 

President: Cara Snow, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NL Health Services Eastern Zone

President Elect: Jonathan Barrow, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NL Health Services Eastern Zone

Jonathan is a CTRS working as a Recreation Development Specialist in the Geriatric Psychiatry Discharge Liaison Position (GP DLP) based out of the Waterford Hospital in St. John’s, NL. He completed a Bachelor’s of Recreation degree (Co-op) with a focus in Therapeutic Recreation from Memorial University in 2016. He has been recognized as a CTRS by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) since 2016. Jonathan was previously a member of the NLTRA board of directors from 2016 until 2020 and served as the Eastern VP, followed by the President. Jonathan enjoys recreational activities such as hockey and playing music, among many others interests. 

Eastern VP: Nicole Gushue, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Instructor – College of the North Atlantic

Nicole is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with 10 years’ experience within Eastern Health, she enrolled in the Community Recreation Leadership Diploma Program at College of the North Atlantic and continued her education to complete the Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation at Dalhousie University and graduated in 2011, and has maintained her CTRS designation since 2012. Nicole has worked in a variety of settings as a Recreation Therapist including, Mental Health and Addictions, Rehabilitation and Pediatric Care. Currently, she is working as a Recreation Therapist with Outpatient Mental Health and Addictions, supporting adults in the community setting. In the past, Nicole has volunteered sitting on the NLTRA Board of Directors as Eastern VP, and now holds this position again, along with Chairing the Professional Regulation Sub-committee. During her leisure time Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing soccer and being in nature.

Website Coordinator: Kyle Smook, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NL Health Services Central Zone

Kyle is a Recreation Development Specialist with NL Health Services in Botwood. Kyle received his Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from Academy Canada in 2016 and graduated with his Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation degree from the University of Lethbridge in 2022. He completed his CTRS internship with Erica Egedy with the Central Health Home First Initiative. Kyle has been a member of the NLTRA Board of Directors since 2018. Kyle is also a proud Father and volunteer firefighter and enjoys being involved in his community.

Western VP: Amethyst Pritchett

Amethyst is a Recreation Therapy Worker with NL Health Services at Western Long Term Care in Corner Brook. Amethyst grew up In Corner Brook and has recently returned to the West Coast after completing a Bachelor of Recreation with a focus in Therapeutic Recreation from Memorial University. She has been recognized as a CTRS by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as of August 2023. In the past Amethyst has worked in community recreation with youth and children’s programs. Amethyst is also a national lifeguard with 6+ years of experience as a swim instructor. In her free time, Amethyst enjoys swimming, kayaking, camping, reading, and spending time with her dog.

Treasurer: Laura King, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Instructor – College of the North Atlantic

Laura King is currently teaching at The College of the North Atlantic as an instructor with the Community and Therapeutic Recreation program. She completed her diploma in Community Recreation Leadership and then continued to complete her degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Dalhousie University. She has been recognized as a CTRS from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) since May 2013. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters along with family and friends. 

Secretary: Holly Drake, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, NL Health Services Eastern Zone

Holly Drake is a Recreation Development Specialist working with NL Health Services at Blue Crest Homes and US Memorial Health Care Centre in Long Term Care. She has completed her diploma in Community Recreation Leadership and has also completed her Bachelor of Recreation with a focus in Therapeutic Studies from Memorial University. She has been recognized as a CTRS by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) since 2019. In the past, Holly has worked as a Recreation Therapy Worker in LTC, a Recreation Therapist with the Inclusion Department with the City of St. John’s, and as a Community Inclusion Coordinator at the Autism Society NL. She is currently a Board Member and Secretary in Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association. In the past, she has served as Student Vice President and as Membership Coordinator. She has also served on the conference planning subcommittee. Holly grew up in Bonavista, NL but now resides in Grand Bank, NL with her husband, their two cats (Batman & Ace) and their dog, Dewie. For her own leisure, she enjoys reading, yoga, walking/hiking, painting, and spending time with friends & family.

Membership Coordinator: Emily Gatehouse, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Eastern Health

Emily Gatehouse, CTRS is a Recreation Development Specialist with Eastern Health.   With a background and previous career in Architectural Technology, Emily decided to return to post-secondary to pursue a career in a helping profession which is how she discovered her passion for Recreation Therapy. She graduated from Memorial University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics and Recreation Co-operative with a focus in Therapeutic Recreation. Emily maintains her CTRS designation with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. She is completing her second year as the Membership Coordinator and has previously volunteered with the NLTRA subcommittees including advocacy, fundraising and membership and marketing. In her free time, Emily enjoys hanging out with friends and family, playing lacrosse and soccer, hiking and spending time with her husband at their hobby goat farm.

Education & Conference Coordinator: Mackenzie Kirby

Mackenzie completed a diploma in Community Recreation Leadership, through the College of the North Atlantic in 2020. She currently works as the Recreation Director at Winslowe Ridge Retirement Living in St. John’s. Having worked as a PCA prior to moving into the field of recreation, she has over 5 years experience working in geriatrics. She is the head chair of the Kirby Retirement Living Recreation Committee, connecting recreation workers who work for the Kirby Group across Atlantic Canada. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs and fiancé and she has a strong passion for travelling.

Labrador VP: Jeffrey Anderson, Recreation Therapy Worker, NL Health Services Labrador Zone

Jeffrey Anderson is working as a Recreation Development Specialist with Labrador-Grenfell Health, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Receiving his diploma of Community Recreation Leadership, through the College of the North Atlantic in 2020. Jeff then continued on to Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, before moving to the Big land. Jeffrey is happy to be back with the NLTRA for his 4^th year on the board. Jeff grew up in Rocky Harbour on the West coast of Newfoundland, in Gros Morne National Park. Jeffrey enjoys hiking, and kayaking back home. He is a big sports fan, playing hockey, softball and ball hockey throughout the year and also sits on the board as the Referee-in-Chief for the local minor hockey association. Jeff is loving his time in Goose Bay with his girlfriend and 2 Labrador retrievers, Juniper and Stella.  

Central VP: Keon Tobin-Best, NL Health Services Central Zone

Keon Tobin-Best is a Therapeutic Recreational Worker with Central Zone. He is new to Therapeutic Recreation, having completed his work term in June of 2022. Keon has been working in Long Term Care since finishing his 2-year diploma with College of the North Atlantic. Keon grew up in Labrador but has been living in Central Newfoundland for 10 years. Keon enjoys leisure activities such as skateboarding, golf, and spending time with his son. This is the first association he has been involved with, and the first time being a board member. Keon is very excited to be working in Therapeutic Recreation and looks forward to continuing a career in this field!

Student VP: Samantha Ronayne, College of the North Atlantic

Samantha has been in healthcare since 2020, and is currently in her second year of Community Recreation Leadership at CNA. She is passionate about the field of Therapeutic Recreation and can’t wait to start as a Recreation Therapy Worker in April of 2024. In her spare time, Samantha enjoy spending time with her family and friends, as well as drawing and painting.