FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2010

RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital Activities Therapy Staff Honored
During National Activities Therapy Week

In Photo: During National Activities Therapy Week, the RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital’s Activities Therapy staff was joined by Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh (seated, 3rd from right) and Joan Wheeler of Fanwood, MSN, RN, CNHA, Associate Administrator of RUNNELLS (seated, 2nd from right). Freeholder Jalloh presented a resolution honoring the staff to Patricia Scott, AD, B.A., CRS (Certified Recreation Supervisor), Director of Activities Therapy and Volunteer Services, Union (seated, 3rd from left). Other staff members include Susan, M.A., ATR, Recreation Therapist (seated, left); Gina Greeson, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Raritan (seated, 2nd from left) and Carla, M.A., MT-BC, Music Therapist (seated, right). Standing L-R: Kara Nistorenko, Recreation Therapist, Watchung; Jamie Granato, B.A, Recreation Therapy Aide, Scotch Plains; Daniela DeFronzo, B.A., MT-BC, Music Therapist; Zalak, B.S., Recreation Therapist, Roselle Park; Carol Michalowski, Recreation Therapy Aide; Ana Gonzalez, Recreation Therapy Aide, Elizabeth; Alice Jackson, Recreation Therapy Aide, Plainfield; Keri Burns-Woessner, B.A., Recreation Therapist, New Providence; Albert Hendricks, Recreation Therapy Aide, Plainfield and Bridgette Jordan, Recreation Therapy Aide, Scotch Plains.

Not in photo: Jaimee Hawkins, M.S., Assistant Director of Activities Therapy;  Vincenzia Beaty, Senior Recreation Therapist, Cliffwood and Julie O’Connell, Principle Clerk/Typist, North Plainfield.

Helping people to have fun and feel good takes a lot of work and a lot of expertise. The ability to do that is found in abundance in the Activities Therapy Department of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County in Berkeley Heights.

During National Activities Therapy Week Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, liaison to RUNNELLS SpecializedHospital acknowledged the many accomplishments of the facility’s Activities Therapy Department.

“Activities Therapy oversees a varied array of events and programs for the enjoyment of RUNNELLS residents and patients,” Freeholder Jalloh said. “Whether it’s trips to the movies; entertainers; adaptive bowling or the annual senior prom, there’s something for everyone seven days a week. RUNNELLS also offers Snoezelen (therapy), a program that blends sights, sounds, aromas and movement in a positive, structured environment to create a pleasurable, relaxing sensory experience in a manner those with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimers, can enjoy.”

Anyone desiring more information about the programs and services offered by RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital should call 908-771-5901.