Alliance Alert: Our national organization the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA), along with the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Foundation, is celebrating 50 years at Drexel University in Philadelphia on November 10-11! This milestone event celebrates five decades of advancing recovery-focused mental health care, uniting professionals, educators, and advocates in the field.
Check out program highlights below!
The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Celebrates 50 Years!
Two Days of Insight, Inspiration & Connection
November 10–11, 2025
Drexel University’s Health Sciences Building
60 N 36th St, Philadelphia, PA
REGISTER TODAY HERE!
PANELS
Pain, Personhood & Purpose: Research and Practice for Young Adults in Higher Education
Veronica Carey, PhD
Dori Hutchison, PhD
Lisa Razzano, PhD
Federal Policy Shifts and the Future of Recovery
Luke Sikinyi
Jennifer Mathis, JD
Paolo del Vecchio, MSW
The Centered Peer: Avoiding the Drift, Embracing the Mission
Ladji Ruffin, CPS-MH
Melissa Wettengel, MPH
Beth Boersma, CPRP
SESSIONS
The Magic of Peers Working in Crisis Settings
Lori Ashcraft, PhD and Patty Blum, PhD
Coaching for Success
Assisting Young Adults to Thrive at School and Work
Paul Cherchia, LMHC and Chelsea Cobb, LMHC
Expanding the Horizon
Reimagining the Aging of People with Serious Mental Illnesses
Anneliese de Wet, PhD and Zlatka Russinova, PhD
Roots of Change
A Journey Through Behavioral Health History
Marcie Cole, PhD
The Evidence is In
EBP Practices in First Episode Psychosis Services and Beyond
Steven Burkitt, LSW and Nina Koch, LSW
Past Lesson, Future Directions:
Adapting Employment and Education Supports for Transition-Aged Youth
Marsha Ellison, PhD
A Just & Necessary Mission
Centering Community Inclusion in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Advocacy
Mark Salzer, PhD
Start Making Sense
Translating Activation Health Literacy
Lisa Razanno, PhD
Expanding Community Participation
Social Isolation and Loneliness as Rehab Outcomes
Bryan P. McCormick, PhD
Expanding Community Participation
Support for Young Adults in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Settings
Elizabeth Thomas, PhD
Online Provider Training in the 2020s:
Lessons from 5 Years of Innovation in Training Providers to Engage Young
Adults in Career Development through Employment and Education
Debbie Nicolellis, MA
LET(s)Lead: Leading with Authenticity
Developing Leaders by Developing Ourselves
Maria E Restrepo-Toro, MS and Chyrell Bellamy, PhD
Self Stigma and Creating Empowering Narratives that Support the Wellbeing Journey
JoAnn Burton, CLC
Lamarr Lewis, LAPC
Beyond the Fire Alarm: Trauma-Informed Leadership for
Recovery-Oriented Environments
Lamar Lewis
REGISTER TODAY HERE!
FAQs
When is the celebration? November 10 & 11, 2025
Is the event accessible to people with disabilities? Yes! We are committed to accessibility. Contact us in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements to support you.
Where is the celebration? The Health Sciences Building at Drexel University, 60 N 36th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Can I donate without attending the event? Absolutely! Just follow this link.
Do I need to register in advance? Yes. Advance registration is required.
Is there a virtual option? This year’s celebration is in-person only
Hotel Options
The following link provides information on Philadelphia hotels offering a special “Drexel” rate: Click here.
You can compare the rates for all 14 hotels by selecting the link at the top of the page. This search will also yield the distance from the hotel to Drexel University. A link to B&Bs is also included at the bottom of the home page.
Please note that there are other local hotels you may want to consider that are not included in the Drexel listing.