Kelly
Ramella, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Arizona State University
Kelly Ramella is the coordinator of the therapeutic recreation program and faculty with the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University. In her role, she shapes the curriculum to prepare qualified recreational therapy professionals. This is accomplished through innovative teaching approaches, multiple educational pathways, interprofessional education and strategic community partnerships. Through her innovative community-engaged initiatives, students practice their skills and explore career possibilities. The partnerships she establishes provide students with meaningful learning experiences that improve the health of vulnerable populations. Kelly’s work mobilizes creative projects integrating interprofessional education, therapeutic recreation and community health.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
Background. Health education programs need to establish interprofessional education (IPE) that optimizes university and community resources. An asset to Arizona State University is its proximity to a large metropolitan health network, lending itself to diverse community partnerships. These relationships enable community-engaged opportunities where students can learn from, with and about each other as they aim to improve health outcomes. The challenge is to assemble students from different disciplines together to practice interprofessional competencies regularly while meeting organizational…