Kelsie Boykin
Garner,NC
Summary
Healthcare professional with a Master's in Health Administration and licensure as a Recreational Therapist, offering 8+ years of experience advancing patient care, psychosocial programs, and operational outcomes. Skilled in advocating for patients, leading multidisciplinary teams, and implementing strategies that protect sensitive information while enhancing efficiency and quality. Recognized for leadership, problem-solving, and communication, with expertise integrating clinical and administrative insight to strengthen compliance, privacy, and patient-focused initiatives.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Aftercare Program Coordinator
UNC Medical Center
Chapel Hill, NC
12.2024 - Current
- Lead aftercare programs with psychosocial interventions to support pediatric hematology-oncology patients in reintegration to school, community, and daily life.
- Coordinate events and partnerships (Victory Junction, Teddy Bear Clinics, Family Support Groups, UNC Athletics, and professional sports teams) to foster engagement, advocacy, and peer support.
- Ensure HIPAA compliance and safeguard sensitive patient data while collaborating with families, multidisciplinary teams, compliance, legal, insurance, and external stakeholders.
- Oversee philanthropic initiatives by managing donations, cultivating partnerships, and advising development efforts, ensuring accurate documentation, policy adherence, and risk mitigation with third-party donors and partners.
Recreational Therapist
Cherry Hospital State Psychiatric Facility
Goldsboro, NC
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Delivered therapeutic interventions for 100+ patients daily across six psychiatric units, addressing psychiatric impairments, physical disabilities, and overall emotional well-being.
- Led up to 4 group sessions daily in leisure education, community reintegration, relaxation therapy, fitness, and skill development to promote patient independence and recovery.
- Maintained accurate clinical records and protected sensitive patient information, supporting compliance and data integrity across multidisciplinary teams.
- Reviewed national and state Recreational Therapy policies, implemented program improvements, and guided nursing staff through teamwork initiatives to enhance collaboration, patient care, and operational effectiveness.
Recreational Therapy Intern
UNC Health - Wakebrook Inpatient Psychiatric Facility
Raleigh, NC
01.2023 - 04.2023
- Completed 600+ clinical hours over 15 weeks, working up to 9 hours per day across 3-4 psychiatric units serving adult and pediatric populations with psychiatric impairments, substance abuse comorbidities, oncology, eating disorders, and burn injuries.
- Led therapeutic group sessions and provided 1:1 interventions for 40+ patients daily, fostering safe psychosocial spaces and promoting healthy coping skills, leisure engagement, stress management, and overall well-being for post-discharge success.
- Maintained accurate documentation and coordinated with clinical teams to support consistent, individualized patient care.
- Contributed to program evaluation and improvement by providing actionable feedback, supporting multidisciplinary initiatives, and enhancing recreational therapy delivery across diverse patient populations.
Student Advancement Mentor & Alumni Relations/Donor Acquisition
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Mentored students on academic probation, providing tailored guidance to improve performance, engagement, and self-advocacy.
- Facilitated biweekly study sessions for introductory psychology students, reviewing materials and preparing for assessments.
- Hosted campus tours and events to engage prospective students, alumni, and community members.
- Led fundraising and alumni relations initiatives, cultivated donor relationships, coordinated strategic philanthropic efforts, and promoted university programs to advance institutional impact.
Physical Education & Recreational Mentor
Southern Wayne High School & Edgewood Community
Goldsboro, NC
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Supported students with physical and intellectual disabilities by designing tailored activities aligned with IEP standards and 504 Plans, adapting lessons, implementing accommodations, and writing individualized plans to promote inclusion, independence, and self-advocacy.
- Assessed student needs and planned interventions that aligned with individual goals through recreational and physical activities.
- Mentored students through weekly 1-hour, in-depth sessions, enhancing engagement, social interaction, and overall well-being.
- Planned and implemented adaptive recreational activities that promoted participation, teamwork, and social-emotional growth among students with diverse abilities.
Director
City of Raleigh: Specialized Recreation & Inclusion Services
Raleigh, NC
05.2021 - 08.2022
- Lead aftercare programs with psychosocial interventions to support pediatric hematology-oncology patients in reintegration to school, community, and daily life.
- Coordinate events and partnerships (Victory Junction, Teddy Bear Clinics, Family Support Groups, UNC Athletics, professional sports teams) to foster engagement, advocacy, and peer support.
- Ensure HIPAA compliance and safeguard sensitive patient data while collaborating with families, multidisciplinary teams, compliance, legal, insurance, and external stakeholders.
- Oversee philanthropic initiatives by managing donations, cultivating partnerships, and advising development efforts, ensuring accurate documentation, policy adherence, and risk mitigation with third-party donors and partners.
Recreational Therapy Fieldwork
Renu Life: Traumatic Brain Injury Residency
Goldsboro, NC
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Completed 100+ volunteer hours during COVID-19, assisting individuals with traumatic brain injuries to enhance physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
- Provided individualized and group support at home and in outpatient settings, promoting functional independence and overall quality of life.
- Designed and created adaptive equipment for rehabilitation units, improving mobility and accessibility for individuals with physical limitations.
- Worked with diverse clients, including veterans, athletes, and individuals with unique needs, tailoring interventions to optimize engagement and outcomes.
Special Events Coordinator/Counselor
Town of Clayton
Clayton, NC
01.2016 - 02.2020
- Designed and implemented daily, inclusive community and after-school programs for youth, older adults, and individuals with special needs, promoting engagement, participation, and self-advocacy.
- Orchestrated recreational, educational, and community events that enhanced wellness, social interaction, and community involvement.
- Directed program operations, including logistics, marketing, and safety protocols, ensuring accessible, high-quality experiences for all participants.
- Facilitated group activities that strengthened teamwork, independence, and social-emotional growth among diverse populations.
Education
MASTERS IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION - Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Shreveport, LA05.2025
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES, MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
University of Mount Olive
05.2023
CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES - Smithfield, NC
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC08.2022
Skills
- Program Development
- Patient Advocacy
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Policies, Compliance & HIPAA
- Stakeholder Engagement & Donor Relations
- Marketing & Data Management
Certification
- Basic Life Support (BLS), CPR, First Aid & AED (Children & Adults), UNC Medical Center, January 2025
- Crisis Prevention Institute Training (CPI), Cherry Hospital, August 2024
- Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, CTRS, June 2023
- Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) Certified, January 2023
- Seizure Recognition Training, Red Cross, June 2022
- Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, August 2018
Acknowledgements
- Annual Performance Review (2023–2025) – State of North Carolina | Exceeded Expectations
- Staff Development Instructor for Nursing Services (2023–2024) – Cherry Hospital
- Most Outstanding Recreational Therapy Student (2023) – University of Mount Olive
- Board Representative & Student Member – North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association (NCRTA) and Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Youth Clinical Initiative (PSYCHI), 2022–2023
- National Lifetime Member, Miss Congeniality – Miss Cleveland Pageant, 2018
- Student Athlete Cheerleading – University of Mount Olive, 2019–2021
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Aftercare Program Coordinator
UNC Medical Center
12.2024 - Current
Recreational Therapist
Cherry Hospital State Psychiatric Facility
08.2023 - 10.2024
Recreational Therapy Intern
UNC Health - Wakebrook Inpatient Psychiatric Facility
01.2023 - 04.2023
Director
City of Raleigh: Specialized Recreation & Inclusion Services
05.2021 - 08.2022
Student Advancement Mentor & Alumni Relations/Donor Acquisition
University of Mount Olive
08.2020 - 12.2022
Physical Education & Recreational Mentor
Southern Wayne High School & Edgewood Community
08.2020 - 12.2022
Recreational Therapy Fieldwork
Renu Life: Traumatic Brain Injury Residency
01.2020 - 05.2020
Special Events Coordinator/Counselor
Town of Clayton
01.2016 - 02.2020
MASTERS IN HEALTH ADMINISTRATION - Shreveport, LA
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES, MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
University of Mount Olive
CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES - Smithfield, NC
Johnston Community College
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