debbie hommel empowering activity professionals through education and innovation

President Debbie Hommel

Empowering Activity Professionals Through Education and Innovation

Advancing Education, Leadership, and Professional Excellence in Activity Services

For more than four decades, Debbie Hommel, ACC/MC/EDU, CTRS, has been a respected educator, mentor, consultant, and national leader in the activity profession. Through her work in professional education, certification, therapeutic recreation, and organizational leadership, Debbie has helped shape and strengthen the standards of person-centered care and activity services throughout the United States.

Expanding Professional Education Nationwide

Debbie’s commitment to education and professional development has made her one of the most recognized instructors and presenters in the field. Beginning in 1984, she provided activity certification courses, including MEPAP, through both live classroom instruction and independent study programs, reaching students throughout the United States and even Guam. In addition to MEPAP, she has developed more than 50 independent study educational programs focused on topics important to today’s activity professional, including dementia care, therapeutic programming, documentation, quality of life, and person-centered engagement.

Her educational reach extends far beyond the classroom through seminars and professional training programs conducted for numerous healthcare and professional organizations. She has presented at conferences and conventions for activity professionals, therapeutic recreation associations, and healthcare organizations across the country — from Maine to Florida and from Massachusetts to Idaho, along with many states in between.

A Pioneer and Advocate for the Profession

Debbie was one of the founders and a Charter Member of the New Jersey Activity Professionals Association, where she served in leadership positions as both Vice President and President. Her longstanding commitment to professional advocacy and education has helped elevate the role of activity professionals within the continuum of care.

Her dedication and contributions to the profession have been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including:

Madison E. Weidner Lifetime Achievement Award – 1994
Monmouth and Ocean County Activity Professionals Life Achievement Award – 1999
NCCAP MEPAP Instructor of the Year Award – 2009
National Association of Activity Professionals Award of Excellence – 2020

Leadership and Innovation Through NCCAP

Debbie currently serves as President of NCCAP and has remained an active and influential leader within the organization since joining the Executive Board in 2009. Throughout her tenure, she has served in numerous capacities including Secretary, Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President.

In addition to organizational leadership, Debbie has played a significant role in the development and expansion of NCCAP educational programming and certification pathways. She played an instrumental role in the development of the national exam and has actively contributed to the establishment of standards of practice, learning objectives, and professional competencies within the activity profession. Her work has helped shape modern certification standards and educational expectations within the activity profession.

Debbie also actively participated in creating, expanding, and developing curriculum for the Activity Director Complete Course, merging MEPAP I and II into one comprehensive educational program designed to modernize and strengthen educational content for current and future activity professionals. She additionally played a key role in transitioning the course to an online learning platform, significantly expanding accessibility and educational opportunities for students nationwide.

Debbie helped develop the Bridge to ADC Course, which replaced the traditional MEPAP II course, as well as the Professional Pathway Certification Course, supporting flexible and progressive certification options for professionals seeking career advancement within the activity field.

Through her leadership with NCCAP, Debbie continues to advocate for certification excellence, professional standards, continuing education, and the advancement of person-centered care nationwide.

A Career Dedicated to Creativity and Person-Centered Care

Throughout her career, Debbie has remained committed to promoting creativity, education, meaningful engagement, and quality of life for older adults and individuals in care communities. Her influence continues to be felt through the thousands of professionals she has educated, mentored, and inspired across the country.

Debbie has always encouraged lifelong learning and professional growth, regardless of how long someone has been in the field. She believes that continued education and professional development strengthen not only the individual professional, but also the quality of life and care provided to older adults nationwide.