IARP Life Care Planning (IALCP) Section Board of Directors Election Slate (2016-2017)
Eligible voters: Individual Professional members of the association who are members of the Life Care Planners (IALCP) Section.
Position and Candidate(s):
Chair Elect: Laura Woodard
Board Member At Large: Bob Gisclair, Ron Smolarski
Candidate Statements:
Chair Elect: Laura Woodard
Describe your qualifications for the position:
I hold a master of arts degree in rehabilitation counseling and I am certified as a rehabilitation counselor (CRC) and as a life care planner (CLCP). I have worked in the private sector as a rehabilitation counselor and life care planner for over 20 years. I have been a member of IARP for several years and have been serving on the life care planning IALCP section board for the past year. I have become familiar with the goals and procedures of the section board and with issues facing our profession. Some of the projects I have tackled on the board include updating the website, gathering information about life care planning certification programs for the membership, revising the fellow application, and working to make Fair Health charge data available as a benefit to members of IARP.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?
I would like to continue pursuing the goals of the section board, including keeping the website updated and adding content relevant to the membership, keeping current on life care planning certification programs, and undertaking other projects as needed. I plan to do my part to make the first and subsequent IARP/ISLCP annual conferences a success. I hope to spend the next year learning from mentors on the section board and from the association manager, and then transition into the chair position.
What is your vision for IARP during your term?
I would like to see IARP grow its membership and expand the programs and benefits offered to its members. Within the life care planning IALCP section board, I would like to strengthen the fellow program, be a resource to those who aspire to a career in life care planning, and encourage research and publication in the field of life care planning.
Board Member At Large: Bob Gisclair
Describe your qualifications for the position:
I have been in the private sector of vocational rehabilitation for some 35 years. I have been a Certified Life Care Planner for some 20 years. I have served on the board of the International Academy of Life Care planners for two terms now. I am also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Case Manager, a Certified Disability Management Specialist, and a Medicare Set-aside consultant-Certified.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?
I am now chairing the membership committee on the IARP/IALCP board and we are only beginning to get some exciting things done. I am also serving as the LCP representative to the IARP/mentoring committee and I am very active in this area, looking forward to becoming more active. I have just become a member of the IARP coaching committee and I plan on becoming a coach very soon.
What is your vision for IARP during your term?
Growth. I do believe in our vision as the paramount rehabilitation group making a difference both nationally and internationally. I want to be a continued part of this.
Board Member At Large: Ron Smolarski
Describe your qualifications for the position:
I have a bachelor’s degree in Business/Economics and a Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. I have 10 certifications and one professional license: including Certified Life Care Planner; Certified Case Manager; Certified Earnings Analyst (Forensic Economist); Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator/ Certified Disability Examiner II; Certified International Psychometric Evaluator; Diplomate- American Board of Vocational Experts; Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. I started counseling in the USAF as a drug counselor in 1972. I have experience working at Belize City Hospital & Seaway Psychiatric Hospital (responsible directly to the Surgeon General of Belize – trained out-patients for personal adjustment and return to the community; initiated the first placement program for out – patients at a mental hospital) and with a UNICEF Medical Team assisting in community mid-wives in prenatal care, sexually transmitted disease prevention and water treatment in Belize Central America (1976). I worked at Goodwill Industries in 1976. I also worked in the rehabilitation department at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital & Pontiac Michigan 1976-77. I entered private rehabilitation (IRA) in 1977. Started my own company in May of 1979. I have worked on several professional committees and four editorial boards. I have received 3 professional awards. I provided consulting and community service to a physical therapy company and a physical medicine & rehabilitation company.
What do you hope to accomplish during your term if elected?
I would like to share my extensive experiences with fellow life care planners. I am a proven professional that can provide insight and realistic guidance and direction.
What is your vision for IARP during your term?
To assist IARP to make realistic objectives and goals that will be cutting edge directions in the world of rehabilitation.