U of U Recreational Therapy

08/28/2026

Dr. Rhonda Nelson was recently awarded a grant from the Academy of Health Science Educators (AHSE) for a project titled “Development and Validation of a Script Concordance Test for Recreational Therapy Education”.

A Script Concordance Test (SCT) is an assessment tool used in health professions education to measure clinical reasoning and decision-making under conditions of uncertainty. Instead of testing factual knowledge and/or confirming a single correct answer, a SCT uses clinical vignettes to evaluate how closely a student’s interpretation of clinical information and their corresponding decision making aligns with the judgement of an expert panel from the profession.

We look forward to updating you on this project as it evolves over the 2026-2027 academic year.

08/26/2026

📣 Publication Alert! 📣

Dr. Chad Romoser, a graduate of our PhD in Rehab Science program has published an article in the Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science titled “Commercial Virtual Reality Applications: Impact on Undergraduate Students’ Stress, Mood, and User Perceptions”. This research was part of Chad’s dissertation work at the U.

In the study, undergraduate students evaluated five different commercial VR applications and provided feedback on how these might be helpful in managing their mental health and wellbeing. Co authors on the article are Dr. Rhonda Nelson and Dr. Alex Terrill.

The open access article is available at the link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41347-026-00677-5

Mental health and well-being issues are prevalent in undergraduate students, and universities are struggling to meet demand for services. Virtual reality (VR) interventions have emerged as a tool for mental health and well-being, but research lacks end-user perspective. To examine the impact of enga...

08/24/2026

📚✨ Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester! Classes start today!

The Recreational Therapy program is excited to welcome new students and reconnect with returning students as we begin another academic year together. We have a wonderful semester planned, featuring engaging coursework, enriching experiences, and social events that foster connection and community.

We encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity to learn, participate, and build relationships throughout the semester. We look forward to an outstanding Fall 2026!

08/21/2026

Dr. Melissa Zahl has been elected Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE). 👏

The purpose of CARTE is to promote the highest levels of professional competence of recreational therapists through the (a) development and promotion of professional preparation standards, (b) encouragement of excellence in educational program development, and (c) accreditation of recreational therapy professional preparation programs.

Dr. Zahl is serving her second year on the CARTE Board as an Educator Representative as she steps into this leadership role on the Executive Board for the organization. We are very proud of leadership our RT faculty provide to the profession. ✨

08/19/2026

📣 Bailey Palmer, a graduate of our BS RT program and current MS RT student has published a research article in the latest issue of RANGE: Undergraduate Research Journal. 👏

The article “Impact of a Robotic Pets Intervention on Engagement and Mood in Older Adults with Differing Cognitive Skills” summarizes findings from a project Bailey assisted with as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).

The journal also includes a “Research Reflection” that Bailey wrote summarizing how she grew personally and professionally through her experience as a research assistant and in the UROP program. The full journal is available at this link: https://uen.pressbooks.pub/range27i1/

✨ Great work Bailey! ✨

08/17/2026

🎉 The countdown is on. Just 1 week until University of Utah Recreational Therapy classes begin! 🎉

✅ Check your class schedule.
✅ Find your classroom locations.
✅ Get ready for an amazing semester!

We can't wait to see all of our incredible Recreational Therapy students next week starting on Monday, August 24! ❤️

06/29/2026

✨Cheers to Dr. Sasha Gordon, MTRS (almost official!) on a successful dissertation defense! ✨

Sasha’s dissertation, Exploring Burnout in Interdisciplinary Teams: The Influence of Job Demands, Resources, Team Dynamics, and Social Support in Mental Health Professionals, is filling a number of gaps in the literature. The results of her timely dissertation sheds light on the stress and burnout mental health professionals are currently experiencing and may promote powerful change in mental health care systems.

This outstanding achievement marks the culmination of years of commitment, discovery, and academic excellence. Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone!

05/21/2026

✨ Celebrating Our Recreational Therapy Graduates! ✨

At the close of the semester, we were honored to host our annual Recreational Therapy Program Pinning Ceremony, a meaningful tradition where we reflect on the year, celebrate our undergraduate students’ accomplishments, and recognize their transition into the next phase of their journey.

These graduates have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, demonstrating dedication, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We are so proud of all they have achieved.

We were especially grateful to have College of Health Dean, Dr. Kelly Tappenden, and Department Chair, Dr. Lorie Richards, join us in celebrating this special occasion.

As our students move on to their capstone internships this summer, we wish them continued success and fulfillment. The future of Recreational Therapy is brighter because of you!

🎓 Congratulations, graduates - we can’t wait to see all that you accomplish!

05/14/2026

✨Throwback Thursday ✨

Our RECTH 2010 Introduction to Recreational Therapy students spent the spring semester exploring the profession and practice of Recreational Therapy through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

One memorable activity included creating coasters while examining how this intervention could be adapted for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Students thoughtfully considered modifications to ensure all participants could engage successfully.

This experience not only showcased their creativity but also helped build stronger connections within the group, bringing Recreational Therapy concepts to life in a meaningful way.

05/09/2026

Maycie Ge**er, a recent graduate of our MS RT program, successfully defended her Master’s project, "Evaluation of a Recreational Therapy-Based Curriculum in Utah High Schools."

Maycie’s work bridges a vital gap in adolescent health. Her Recreation and Wellness curriculum focuses on high school student mental well-being by blending the Recreational Therapy (RT) process and evidence-based interventions with the PERMA model, a framework for flourishing that emphasizes Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. She also strategically combined these elements with the core standards for Utah public schools to ensure the curriculum aligns with academic expectations and student needs.

The curriculum was evaluated by both Recreational Therapists and School Personnel. The evaluation focused on key areas:

Feasibility: Can it be realistically implemented in a busy high school?
Necessity: Does this address a critical gap in student mental well-being resources?
Effectiveness: Does it achieve the desired positive outcomes for students?
Therapeutic Quality: Does it meet the high standards of evidence-based RT interventions?

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, marking a significant step forward in exploring how evidence-based RT interventions can support student mental well-being. This evaluation provides valuable evidence for the potential of offering this curriculum in the future.

Please join us in congratulating Maycie!