Staff

Allison Huck is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. Allison earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She has been practicing since 2010, gaining clinical experience in psychiatric and rehabilitation settings, providing group therapy, individualized treatment, community reintegration, and adaptive sports and fitness for children and adults with a wide range of conditions and disabilities. Allison completed a yoga teacher training in 2016 and has additional training in adaptive yoga for individuals after acquired brain injury. At the Clinical Center, Allison provides individualized treatment for medical patients, with a focus on promoting health and wellness through patient-centered care. Allison has presented both locally and regionally on the topics of yoga, adaptive sports, virtual reality, smart home technology, and leisure based assistive technology.

Amber Zoerman is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from East Carolina University in North Carolina. In addition to her CTRS credentials, Amber is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist. Prior to joining the NIH, Amber gained 10 years of professional experience working with older adults in sub-acute rehabilitation, long-term care and memory care including individuals with various chronic and acute medical conditions, post-surgery recovery needs, stroke rehabilitation, dementia and Alzheimer’s. She provides individual treatment for adult medical patients, medical play and procedural support for pediatric patients and she is the program coordinator for the animal-assisted therapy program at the Clinical Center.

Karen Perkins is a Supervisor/ recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in secondary education majoring in world history and a minor in psychology. She received her Master of Education degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor concentration in environmental education from the University of Georgia. She has 36 years of experience in the field of recreational therapy in hospitals with the following diagnostic populations; mental health, pediatrics, adult medical patients and surgical oncology patients. She enjoys supervising recreation therapy interns, planning interventions for unusual symptom presentations, collaborating with multidisciplinary colleagues and providing specific procedural support.

Kathryn Elokdah is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation and her master of education degree in Recreation Administration from Temple University. She is accredited by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America as an Assistive Technology Provider. Her clinical area of expertise focuses on individuals with physical disability, with 20+ years as clinical manager for inpatient, outpatient and community physical medicine and rehabilitation programs. She has taught at Temple University, administered a camp for physically disabled adults, lead disabled sports clubs and expos (cycling, bowling, fishing, swimming, aerobic exercise), lead an Amputee Support Group, managed the Southeastern PA public transit functional testing site, edited the NJ/E PA TRA newsletter, and has presented locally and nationally on recreational therapy topics.

Kristin Johnsen is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Florida in 1983. Kristin has experience working with pediatric patients and their families in a variety of healthcare settings. Her professional interests include medical play, procedural preparation, family-centered care and animal assisted therapy.

Laura Herbert is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation therapy with a minor in health at Ithaca College and a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion Management from Marymount University. In addition to her CTRS credentials, Laura is also a Certified Health Education Specialist, which she obtained after completion of her Master's degree. Laura has over 20 years of experience working with pediatric and young adult patients and their families. In 2021, Laura was awarded the professional designation in the specialization area of pediatrics through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Her professional interests include teen programming, animal assisted therapy and relaxation.

Linda Scimeca is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She has been a recreational therapist at NIH since 1982. Linda graduated from Virginia Tech and University of Maryland with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Recreation Therapy. Linda has had the opportunity to gain 34 years of experience in recreational therapy treatment. Her patient areas of focus have included adult and pediatric oncology, allergy and infectious disease as well as mental health. She has advanced training in the modalities of relaxation and reiki, physical exercise, adventure challenge activities and arts and crafts. She has presented on local and national levels.

Robin M. Greenfield is a Supervisor/recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation therapy and a Masters of Arts degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Maryland. She has 37 years of experience in the field of recreational therapy with the following diagnostic populations; mental health, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, cancer and neurologic disorders with adults and children. Robin's current responsibilities include providing clinical services to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute of Mental Health Affective Disorder inpatient units. Her interests include adapting and utilizing a variety of treatment interventions focusing on functional domains improvement along with program development.

Sarah Thuermer is a Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC), and is the Art Therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and her master's degree in Art Therapy and Counseling from Ursuline College near Cleveland, Ohio. She has extensive experience working with inpatient and outpatient adults, children, and families within behavioral health, medical, and community based settings. Utilizing patient-centered and mindfulness-based approaches she addresses her patients' psychosocial, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being needs. Sarah is trained and well-versed in various Art Therapy assessments, techniques, and interventions. Additionally, she is skilled in appropriately and effectively processing artwork with patients based on their treatment needs. She is proficient in different art mediums, including drawing, ceramics, painting, collage, multi-dimensional art, and photography. These skills assist her during art therapy sessions with her patients.

Stefan Ellington is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and master’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of Toledo. Prior to joining the NIH in early 2023, Stefan served as a Recreational Therapist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Stefan has extensive professional experience with patients with multiple diagnoses across a variety of treatment settings including inpatient physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, hospice/palliative care and outpatient adaptive sports. Stefan primarily provides inpatient individualized treatment for adult medical patients at the Clinical Center and holds additional certifications as a yoga instructor, adaptive and inclusive fitness trainer and certified adaptive sports and recreation specialist. He is passionate about facilitation of quality patient-centered care, mentoring students, and advancing the profession through implementation of evidence-based interventions and support of research.

Taylor Watson is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. He received his bachelor's degree in Family Science from University of Maryland, College Park and master's degree in Recreational Therapy from Indiana University, Bloomington. Taylor has professional experience working with populations across the lifespan within physical rehabilitation, complex medical, and acute behavioral health environments. He has clinical expertise with individuals who have an array of neuromuscular injuries and conditions, as well as individuals with various mental health diagnosis. Taylor provides individual treatment for adult medical patients from various institutes throughout the Clinical Center. His professional interests include the utilization of physical activity to help patients cope with hospitalization and to improve their overall functioning. In addition, the implementation of experiential therapies through community reintegration. He is passionate about client-centered care, family-centered care, and the facilitation of holistic outcome-based interventions.

Whitney Wilson is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She earned her bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy from Western Carolina University in North Carolina and her master's degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with a concentration in Recreational Therapy from Clemson University. Prior to joining the NIH in 2016, Whitney gained over 10 years of professional experience working with adults and children in acute and long-term behavioral health settings, including individuals with co-occurring disorders, substance use disorders, severe and persistent mental illness, and forensic psychiatric patients. She currently serves as the primary therapist for inpatients of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, provides individual treatment for adult patients with complex medical conditions from various institutes throughout the Clinical Center, coordinates the student internship program, and coordinates continuing education opportunities for the Recreation Therapy Section. Whitney is passionate about patient-centered, recovery-focused treatment. Her professional interests include program development, interdisciplinary collaboration, student mentorship, continuing education and professional development, and the use of experiential therapies for symptom management and emotional regulation.

Min Kyung Shin is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR) at the NIH Clinical Center. She is also Maryland Board Approved Professional Art Therapist (LCPAT) and Mental Health Counselor (LCPC). Min received her Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy at the George Washington University and has a strong fine arts background at Maryland Institute College of Art with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her professionally trained specialty in Art Therapy brings appropriate skills and interventions to help patients process artworks and art making processes in a safe way. This involves expressing and exploring thoughts, feelings, and self, utilizing visual communication tools, such as drawing, painting, collage, multi-mixed media, clay, and many others. Moreover, she takes patient-centered, mindfulness-based, and holistic approaches to promote patients’ emotional, mental, and psychosocial well-beings based on their treatment needs. Prior to joining the NIH, Min gained diverse experiences working with multiple diagnoses and concerns related to mental health, behavioral health, and interpersonal relationships in different age groups of individuals and families. She worked at a variety of clinical treatment settings including a college student counseling center, an outpatient counseling clinic, a psychiatric hospital, and a community based open studio.

Liz Cavey is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from East Carolina University in North Carolina and a Master’s Degree in Health and Human Promotion from Walden University. Liz has over 15 years of professional experience working with adults and children in acute and long-term behavioral health settings, community-based recreation, and physical rehabilitation. Her professional interests include program development, quality patient-centered care, and facilitating leisure education groups.

Emily Bowman is a recreational therapist at the NIH Clinical Center. She holds a master’s degree in Recreational Therapy from Temple University. During graduate school, she supported research by the Temple University Collaborative examining loneliness and social isolation in adults with serious mental illness. She has experience in inpatient pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation, outpatient chronic pain management, and pediatric community-based adaptive recreation. She is also a trained yoga instructor (RYT-200). Emily is passionate about supporting quality of life through personally meaningful leisure and the use of individually tailored activity modification and adaptive equipment to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals.