Ohio Recreational Therapy Association

President

Valerie Lazzara Mould, MA, CTRS

Valerie is a proud graduate of The University of Toledo and started her career at the University of Toledo Medical Center providing TR services in both the inpatient physical rehabilitation and psychiatry departments. During her career, Valerie has maintained an active role at UT teaching distance learning classes and supporting the Recreational Therapy Club. She has provided many education sessions at state and national conferences and is an instructor for SMART CEUs Hub. Valerie has served as treasurer and president-elect for ORTA and is currently employed full time at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the Behavioral Health Pavilion where she is also the EBP coordinator for the TR acute and BH teams.

President-Elect

Katie Basford, BS, CTRS

Katie is a graduate of the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She began her career working in coordination with the Highland Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities providing Independent RT services, including physical fitness, exercise, and aquatic programming to individuals with developmental disabilities. Katie transitioned from there to Adena Greenfield Medical Center, an adult inpatient physical medicine & rehabilitation hospital in Southern Ohio, where she has worked now for the past 12+ years. Katie has been involved in the establishment of ORTA since its beginning and has served as the ORTA Secretary since its official establishment as Ohio Chapter Affiliate in 2017.

Past-President

Jenn Fultz, MA, CTRS

Jenn is a graduate of Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!). She began her career as a recreational therapist at Memorial Hospital of South Bend in Indiana before moving to Ohio to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she currently serves as a supervisory recreational therapist. When Jenn moved to Ohio in 2013, she began the process of establishing a new chapter affiliate of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) that would serve the entire state of Ohio. Through her persistence and advocacy, Jenn sought out interested CTRSs to create a board of directors, where she was self-nominated to be President-Elect, and served as a liaison between the Board and ATRA. The Ohio Recreational Therapy Association was finally approved as a chapter affiliate and later became incorporated in 2017. Jenn transitioned into the ORTA President role in 2019. Her clinical background includes physical medicine and rehabilitation, adaptive sports, mental health and long-term care. She maintains and utilizes instructor certifications in archery from USA Archery and Wheelchair/Adaptive Tai Chi for Veterans through Adaptive Tai Chi International in her clinical practice.

Secretary

Samantha Simon, CTRS

Samantha is a CTRS at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where she began as a contingent in the acute session, then transitioning into her full-time position working with her passion of Behavioral Health. She is a graduate of The University of Toledo with both a BS in Recreational Therapy and a MA in Recreation Administration. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 rambunctious little boys and her wonderful husband.

Treasurer

Tamara Cole, CTRS

Tamara is a 1995 graduate of Ashland University, Ohio. She has worked at Ohio Health (formerly known as MedCentral & Mansfield General Hospital) since graduation. Her past clinical experience includes adult & adolescent behavioral health as well as chemical dependency. She has served as a treatment team member on the Acute Inpatient Physical Rehab unit since 2006. Tamara facilitates a monthly support group for stroke survivors and their caregivers. She has volunteered at Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp for several years and is involved in the United Stroke Alliance Community. She has served on many committees in the hospital and mentored several TR clinical and internship students over the years.

Member at Large

Sydney Froelich, CTRS

Sydney works full-time at Nationwide Children's Hospital, specifically the Behavioral Health Pavilion on their Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit (YCSU). Sydney graduated form the University of Toledo with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy. There she held the treasurer's position on the Recreation Therapy Club for three years, helped create/find volunteer opportunities for members, and helped organize the UT conferences, among other miscellaneous jobs.

Member at Large

Wendy Maran, MA, CTRS, CDP

Wendy was the Ohio state representative for ATRA for 3 years prior to joining the ORTA Board of Directors but felt she really had no opportunities for action. Recreation Therapy needs a rebranding in Ohio and elsewhere in her opinion. Wendy feels that acting as board member may give the opportunity to help Ohio and other states see how valuable TR is to individuals with health threats and help us become more recognizable and valued. She also teaches full time at the University of Toledo, the only program for Recreation Therapy in Ohio. This gives her access to students that are up and coming professionals that could be of great benefit to this organization.

Student Member at Large

Kortny Overhiser

Kortny is a recent RT graduate from the University of Toledo, who is also currently working towards her Masters of Art in Recreation Administration and is a Graduate Assistant with the UTRT Department. Kortny has a strong desire to provide students with opportunities to enhance their professional development, and she looks forward to bridging the gap between the student and professional RT world. Kortny enjoys various creative arts outlets and enjoys being outdoors and around animals.

Student Member at Large

Amber Wiederhold

Amber Wiederhold is a Junior in the Recreational Therapy program at the University of Toledo and is the President of UT's Recreation Therapy Club. She works at the Laurels of Toledo as a Recreation Therapy Assistant, which has helped her develop a love for geriatrics and working in memory care. Amber chose to study Recreational Therapy because of her passion for helping people, and RT allows her to make a difference in people's lives in a fun but therapeutic way.

Past Presidents

Mike Sutherland (2017-2019)

Jenn Fultz (2019-2020)

"Ohio Recreational Therapy Association" is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. 752 North State Street #348, Westerville, OH 43082 Privacy Policy