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NJAPA Officers
President
Sharon Wolfe, ADC
- Work Address:
Meadowview Nursing Home
235 Dolphin Avenue
Northfield, NJ 08225
- Contact Info:
609.645.5955
sharwme1@aol.com
Started in the profession after being a CNA in a nursing home and always helping with Activities and deciding that she really Loved working with the Alzheimer population. Attended Debbie Hommel's Basic Education class and Advanced Management. Went on to graduate from Ocean County College and was then able to become certified.
She has been a member of NJAPA for 15 years. Started out as the Awards Chairman, then became the Treasurer. She is a member of NAAP, NCCAP, SOJAD and is a Facilitator of an Alzheimer's support group for Atlantic County, and is a yearly Team Leader for the Annual Memory Walk supporting Alzheimer Research has attended the last two National Conventions in Gatlinberg, Tennessee and also in Scottsdale, Arizona representing the State along with the State Contact.
Currently is working for Meadowview Nursing Home in Atlantic County where she works with the Alzheimer Dementia residents.
Currently serving as the President of NJAPA
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Vice
President
Guylaine Mazure
ACC, ATR, CALA
- Work Address:
Christian Health Care Center
301 Sicomac Avenue
Wyckoff, NJ 07481
- Contact Info:
201.848.5828
creativenut@verizon.net
Guylaine has worked in the Therapeutic Activity profession for over15 years. She is currently employed at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff as the Director of Ramapo Ridge Partial Program and Ramapo Ridge Therapeutic Activities Department. She has done consulting for various facilities and organizations related to dementia care, programming and environmental stimulation. Guylaine has also lectured at a variety of conferences throughout the United States on a variety of topics ranging from therapeutic activity to issues related to brain injuries.
Guylaine posses a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. Her current certifications include a Certified Activity Consultant through NCCAP, a Certified Assisted Living Administrator through the NJ Department of Health and is a Registered Art Therapist through American Art Therapy Association. She is a member of NAAP, NJCAC, and AATA.
Guylaine has been a member of the New Jersey Activity Professional Association since 1994. She became the Recording Secretary for NJAPA in 1998 and worked on the Professional Development committee as coordinator of vendors and exhibits form 2000-current. She currently serves the board as the Vice President.
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Treasurer
Lynne Wilksman
ADC, CALA
- Work Address:
Absecon Manor
1020 Pitney Road
Absecon, NJ 09201
- Contact Info:
609.652.1609
wilkes111@aol.com
I’ve been a member of N.J.A.P.A since 1990. I have coordinated the hospitality suite for our annual conventions for many of those years, and on the awards committee for the last 2 years. Presently holding the position on the board as the treasurer.
I am a member of NAPP, NCCAP and the Alzheimer’s assoc. Actively participating on the speaker bureau, support group facilitator and on the memory walk committee.
I am currently the activity director at Absecon Manor – managing, implementing programs for lt, rehab & our behavior unit for the past 20 years. I have worked on various committees such as nutrition, wound care, falls, etc. – also hold the title of the volunteer coordinator.
On a corporate level and have worked on “information management” committee and the facilitator of coordinating the quarterly meetings for the activity directors of all 9 of our facilities.
We are a training facility for Richard Stockton college – the gerontology students in need of completing 120 hour internship. I work closely with professor David Burdick organizing the internships providing the students with “hands on” experience as well as understanding theory.
Last however most important to me is having the opportunity to present vision, hearing & the creative arts for the 90 hr basic education for activity professionals under the direction of dh special services – Debbie Hommel. |
Corresponding
Secretary
Debra
Christians, ADC
- Work Address:
Southern Ocean County Hospital
Transitional Care Unit
1140 Route 72
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
- Contact Info:
609.978.8900 x4150
debnwalt@verizon.net
Debra is currently the Activities Manager at Southern Ocean County Hospital's Transitional Care Unit. She has been an Activity Professional since 1986. She has experience in the following areas: Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Rehabilitation Recreation Care and Dementia care.
Debra is an Activity Director Certified by NCCAP. She is a member of NAAP. She has successfully completed her Basic and Management courses and continues to educate herself in both the Activity and Healthcare fields.
Debra has been on the NJAPA board for six years now. When she joined NJAPA she was appointed the Web Site Chairperson, and then was elected the recording secretary. And now is currently the Corresponding Secretary.
Debra continues to enjoy sharing her activity abilities with her residents on a daily basis. And is here to assist her fellow NJAPA members whenever needed. |
Recording
Secretary
Joan Marie Granato
BA, CTRS, CLA ,CRA
- Work Address:
Future Focus, Inc.
95 A West 16th Street
Bayonne, NJ 07002
- Contact Info:
201-823-4711
201.823.4721 (fax)
futurefocus@att.net
Joan Marie Granato
is the Executive Director of Future Focus Inc. Her company provides an array of Health Care Consulting services throughout
the Tri-State Area.
She has received her
Bachelors degree in Recreation Administration with
a minor in Psychology from Kean University. She
furthered her studies in Therapeutic Recreation
at New York University.
She is also trained
by A.L.T.A., as an Assisted Living Administrator
and is a Certified NCCAP Trainer for the MEPAP
Part I: Basic Education Course and MEPAP Part II:
Advanced Management Course.
Throughout her business
ventures, she has opened various Adult Medical
Day Care Centers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana,
and Florida. She continues to provide Administrative
Consultation, Therapeutic Recreation Consultation
and Tri-Level Marketing to the Long Term Care Industry.
Her certifications
include:
C.L.A. Certified Leisure Associate
C.R.A. Certified Recreation Administrator
A.C.C. Activity Consultant Certified
As a speaker, she
had delivered presentations for the New York State
Department of Health, Kean University, New Jersey
Recreation and Parks Association, The NJ/Eastern
PA TR Association, The Alzheimer's Association,
The New Jersey Activity Professionals Association,
New Jersey Adult Day Services Association, NJACA,
RAPA, The Goldfarb Institute and various Health
Care Organizations.
Through her contributions
in development and publication of various manuals,
books, videos, research reports and documentaries,
she has proven to be an advocate for the advancement
of the profession.
Her philosophy of
work is distinguished by her dedication to the
Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Profession
in helping people and in providing quality service.
Her philosophy of life is reflective of our professional
outlook and the pursuit of finding strength in
the mind, body and spirit.
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Marketing
Aimee
Montgomery Wilson
BA, CTRS, ACC
- Work
*Ripple Coaching and Consulting * *Ripple Designs
- Contact Info:
201-823-1335
amwilson5@gmail.com
Aimee Montgomery Wilson is a Business and Leadership Coach/Consultant in her company, Ripple Coaching and Consulting and the creative mind behind of Ripple Designs.
Aimee is a graduate of Kean University of New Jersey with continuing studies in Therapeutic Recreation at NYU. Aimee began her interest in working with persons with disabilities while in grammar school. She traded in a weekly gym period to plan activities and sports for children with special needs, this developed into an extracurricular activity as a group developed called SCATE, Special Children’s Athletic Training Experience which she worked with throughout high school. Aimee began her college studies under physical therapy while playing soccer for Kean. She soon made a big change into the arts and then recreation to become the next Julie Macoy (Love Boat Cruise Director) before realizing that there was a perfect career for her somewhere in between P.T and her love for sports and the arts.
Aimee changed her course of study and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. In her last year of undergraduate studies, Aimee had a wonderful opportunity to study recreation and tourism at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. This afforded Aimee many other opportunities post graduation including wonderful European travels, Scottish pub bartending, busking on a street corner in Amsterdam and a wealth of new friends, worldwide.
She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and an Activity Consultant Certified. Since 1987, Aimee has worked most of her career in long term care with periods of work in adult day care for developmentally disabled adults and substance abuse. Since 1997, Aimee was trained as an instructor for the MEPAP course. She has been trained in ATRA’s Dementia Practice Guidelines by the authors of the guidelines and by the NYC chapter Alzheimer’s Association as a support group leader
Aimee served as the coordinator of a Dementia unit that is granted through the NYS Department of Health for a two year cycle. The grant was titled, The Use Of Pervasive Therapeutic Recreation Activities in a Person Centered Care Dementia Unit. She had been involved in a huge project working with the facility staff and 1199 Union to train the facility’s staff in person centered care and meaningful activities as part of culture change. Besides the involvement of all in personalized care, the staff had been trained in wireless technology and hands free communicators. Aimee had been trained. She served ads Quality of Life Committee Chairperson and the Spirituality Committee Co-Chairperson.
At home she is greeted by her husband John, Ian , Sara, and Hanna. She is thankful for her wonderful family and her husband who is not only a great dad but keeps their home together by doing more than his share of the cooking, cleaning and parenting.
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Awards
Eucille (Emily) Brown, ADC
- Work Address:
Allendale Nursing Home
85 Harreton Road
Allendale, NJ 07421
Eucille (Emily) Brown has worked in the activity profession for the past ten years.
She is currently employed at the Allendale Community for Mature Living where she now serves in the capacity as Director of Activities for assisted living and long-term care. Emily has a passion for working with the elderly and her professional motto is that "all residents are functioning residents, and none should be left behind".
Emily completed both the MEPAP-1 Basic Education Course as well MEPAP-2 Advanced Management Course, and continues to pursue higher educational standards. She is presently a Certified Activity Director through NCCAP and humbly serves on the NJAPA board as Awards chair person.
Emily also serves in leadership roles in her church. She is a teacher of the ABF classes and serves in the women's ministry as well.
Emily considers herself the Barnabas (encourager) of the activity profession and urges activity aides everywhere to "set high standards, reach for the sky for the sky is the limit, and spread your wings and fly". Emily encourages all to look in the corners of their facility to find someone who deserves to smell a rose and that you should be the one to give it. |
Registration
Keita Blinn
Keita Blinn received her Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from S. U. C. at Geneseo, NY in 1971 and her Master of Arts degree in guidance and counseling from Western State College of Colorado in 1975. She is NCCAP certified as an activity consultant since 1989.
Keita is currently contracted as a Psychiatric Program Specialist providing mentoring and monitoring to treatment plan developments. Keita was a therapist at Buttonwood Hospital of Burlington County. Providing group sessions and documenting treatment plans for a psychiatric population are her primary responsibilities. From 1977 to 1998 she directed activities for the skilled nursing and psychiatric populations at Buttonwood Hospital.
Keita became a charter member of NJAPA in 1986. In 1990 she was elected Corresponding Secretary of the association. She served as the Education chairperson and is currently the Registration chairperson.
Keita is a member of Tri-County Activities Coordinators (TAC). She has served as the secretary and president of TAC. She has also provided workshop sessions for TAC including “The Psychiatric Patient in LTC.” |
Legislation
Kimberly Grandal, BA, CTRS, ACC/EDU
Kimberly Grandal, Founder and Executive Director of Re-Creative Resources Inc., has over fifteen years of experience working with the elderly in numerous management and consultant positions. She is an ACC and CTRS. Kim is a member of the NJAPA, NJEPA TRA, and NAAP.
In 1990, Kim graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in Sociology and later studied gerontology courses at Union County College and Therapeutic Recreation courses at Kean University. Throughout her career, Kim has been the Director of Therapeutic Recreation for several long-term care facilities, including one of NJ’s largest.
In 2006, Kim founded Re-Creative Resources Inc. She is a speaker for various national, state and local activity associations such as NJAPA, MOCAP, and NJACA, NAAP, NCCAP, as well as the Society of Licensed Nursing Home Administrators of NJ. She also provides seminars, webinars, consultation and support to numerous facilities in the state and nationwide.
Kim is the editor and writer for the “The Rec-Room", a monthly newsletter published by her company. In addition, she writes monthly articles for the Activity Director Today newsletter and has contributed articles to Creative Forecasting Magazine, Current Activities in LTC, E-Zine and The Continuing Care InSite newsletter.
Kim is a recipient of the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation 1997 Triumph of the Human Spirit Award. She is a strong advocate for the Activity and Therapeutic Recreation field and currently serves on the NJAPA board as the Chairperson for the Legislation Committee, and is a member of the NAAP and NCCAP Government Relations Committees. Kim also supports national certification and is an NCCAP reviewer.
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Historian
Eric P. Shaw
Eric P. Shaw (aka NJAPA Idol..2008 ) is the Executive Vice President of Future Focus Inc., Creative Health Care Consultants. Eric and his partner Joan Marie provide consultation services, training and opening and operating Adult Medical Day Care Centers.
Eric’s area of expertise is in Customer Relations, Community Outreach and Quality Assurance Programs in the Adult Medical Day Care Industry. He has taken the Assisted Living Training Course for Administrators, MEPAP Part 1 & 2 and Developmental Disabilities Training Series.
Eric enjoys working with the Developmentally Disabled population. He believes that there is something special in everyone…. through his creative programs he assists and nurtures individuals with disabilities to cultivate their life plans through empowerment and acceptance. He designs and develops specialized programs to include Pre-vocational Training, Life Skills Training, Recreation Clubs and Advocacy Support Groups throughout the State of New Jersey, advocating for his clients.
In Eric’s leisure time he loves the outdoors; camping, fishing, riding ATV’s, playing with his girls and singing Karaoke in his cowboy boots.
Eric is the proud and devoted father of three girls, Arica, Sarah and Jillian. He spends most of his leisure time taking care of his girls and making sure that they enjoy their Life to the fullest….
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Membership
Carol Kezel, ADC
- Work Address:
Ambassador Adult Medical Day Care
619 River Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 0701
Carol has been working at Ambassador Adult Medical Day Care Center (previously known as Kimball Adult Day Care) as the Activity Director for the past 14 years. Prior to this she had served as a Recreation Director at several Long Term Care facilities including FountainView Care Center, Bartley Manor and Wanaque Convalescent Center. She started her career in activities as an Activity Assistant at Dellridge Nursing Home in Paramus and within six months she was promoted to Activity Director.
Carol received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Administration in 1983 from Trenton State College (now known as The College of New Jersey). She is a NCCAP Certified Activity Director and is also certified by the state of New Jersey as a Recreation Administrator. She took the Basic Education Course in 1984 with Anne D'Antonio and Joan Beloff (many years ago)!
Carol served as the Nominations Chairperson from 1993-1995 and as the Membership Chairperson from 1995 to the present. She is also a member of the Monmouth and Ocean County Activity Professionals and had served as both President and Vice-President of that organization.
Carol has been married to husband Joe for 23 years, and they have an 18-year-old son, Stephen. In her spare time Carol is very involved with the Jackson Women of Today, a local community oriented women's group and has held several board positions with this organization. In her spare time Carol likes to spend time with friends and family. She also enjoys scrapbooking, traveling and reading, especially on the beach. |
Professional Development / Education
President
Sharon Wolfe, ADC
- Work Address:
Meadowview Nursing Home
235 Dolphin Avenue
Northfield, NJ 08225
- Contact Info:
609.645.5955
609-645-5939 Fax
sharwme1@aol.com
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Nominations
Kelly Dickinson
My name is Kelly Dickinson & I am both an ADC & CDP.
I also hold a Human Resources Management Certification.
I've been an Activity Professional for almost 20 years.
I currently hold the position of Director of Community
Programming at the Jewish Geriatric Home. This position
includes being the Director of Activities, the Director
of Brachfeld Adult Medical Day Care, as well as the
Director of Safe Haven, which is our Alzheimer's Program.
I have experience in many areas of healthcare from
long-term care, sub-acute, assisted living, CCRC'S & medical
daycare. I've also have assisted with helping troubled
facilities with deficiencies.
I am proud to a member of the Tri-County Activity Coordinators, New Jersey
Activity Professions Association. & NAAP. I'm also a member of the Alzheimer's
Association. I currently hold the position of Nominations Chair on the board
of NJAPA. I have been on the board for many years & feel proud to serve
you.
Personally, I am married to my husband Paul. We have a puppy named "Cappy".
He's a Bischon Frise. I also serve on the Camden County CPI. My sister & niece
are also now Activity Professionals. |
Ways & Means
Paige Doumenis
- Work Address:
5101 North Park Drive
Pennsauken, NJ 08109
- Contact Info:
856.665.9111
856.371.0051 (cell)
I joined the activity profession almost fourteen years ago as a temporary Recreations Assistant. It was not long before I realized this was the career I had wanted. I progressed in my career thanks to taking the Activity Professionals courses in my area. With the wonderful education provided and my Directors mentorship, I was able to obtain my activity Directors Certification. I currently work at Cooper River West / Genesis Eldercare in Pennsauken, New Jersey as the Therapeutic Recreation Director. My current position is the NJAPA Ways and Means Chairperson. |
Community Relations
Peggy Fitzgerald
- Work Address:
Absecon Manor
1020 Pitney Rd.
Absecon, NJ 08201
- Contact Info:
609.646.5400 ext. 408 work
609.748.9057 home
madmom953@aol.com
Peggy has worked in the activity profession for 9 years. She started off as an Activities Assistant for five years and is currently the Assistant Director of Activities at Absecon Manor for the past four years. Peggy loves working and enriching the lives of the elders dealing with dementia. She has also completed the MEPAP I & MEPAP II with Debbie Hommel. Peggy has been a member of NJAPA for five years and the current News Letter Chairman on the board.
Peggy been married 35 year with 3 children, 4 grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with the family and news letter writing for her local church. |
Web Site
Kevin J. Bassinder, ADC, CHHA
- Work Address:
Rose Garden Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
1579 Old Freehold Road
Toms River, NJ 08755
- Contact Info:
Cell 732-773-0750
KBActivities@aol.com
Kevin Bassinder is currently the Activities Director at Rose Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Toms River, NJ. He began his tenure at Rose Garden in 2008, and he oversees their two floors, 120 beds Nursing Care Unit, Sub Acute Unit, Sensory Program Services and Volunteer Program.
Mr. Bassinder began his career in the Assisted Living field in 1990 at Marriott's Leisure Park. He has also worked for Brandywine Company as a Caregiver, and after six months was asked to be their Activities Director. Working for the Brandywine Company, Kevin learned his true calling: Helping seniors get the most out of life as they age in place. Later, Mr. Bassinder moved on as an Activities Director, Administrative Assistant, and Marketing Assistant for Nottingham House of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. He assisted with opening the community at The Wexford at Wall Township, and also assisted planning and implementing the Activities. Kevin was then named as the Activities Assistant and later the Director of Activities.
Kevin’s enthusiasm not being afraid of change began his tenure July of 2003 at Bear Creek Assisted Living, West Windsor, NJ. Mr. Bassinder redesigned their Activities Department and eight months later became Bear Creek’s Corporate Regional Activities Director. He covered one community in NJ, DE, PA, and two in GA. Kevin later overseeing recreating their Dementia Care Unit, Rose Lane.
Mr. Bassinder talents drew him to explore further. Kevin explored the adventures with Community Investment Strategies, Inc., Bordentown, NJ. Kevin joined their team as Corporate Regional Activities Director redesigning and overseeing their one assisted living in Bordentown and their five Independent Livings though out NJ.
Kevin holds his certification as Home Maker Home Health Aide, and he also completed Debbie Hommel's Basic Education course. He has already completed the 56-hour Assisted Living Administrator Certification class, and has educational and career goals of administration in the field of assisted living. Kevin recently received his National Certification for Activity Professionals through N.C.C.A.P.
Mr. Bassinder holds a seat on the Board of his local County and on the State level of the Activity Organizations. In August 2004, Kevin accepted the position as the Web Site Chairperson for “N.J.A.P.A.”, New Jersey Activity Professionals Association. In addition Kevin became the President for “MOCAP”, the Monmouth and Ocean Counties Professionals since June 2005. |
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All Rights Reserved
New Jersey Activity Professionals Association
njactivitypros.org
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