Note to Prospective Speakers:
The Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute is looking for top-notch speakers with knowledge and experience to share at our future educational events.
Please use one Course Information Form for each topic you would like to have considered for presentation.
Please note: The Application Deadline is July 31, 2008.
Send applications by email to: Angie Fischer, ATRI Director of Education & Marketing - afischer@atri.org
2008 ATRI Faculty:
Jason Adames, SDPT, is a graduate physical therapy student coursing studies towards the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the Department of Physical Therapy at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. He will be completing his doctoral degree in August 2008 and has successfully defended his doctoral research project. He is currently in the process of completing his last internship at Rehabilitation Associates of Portage County Inc. in Woodsfield, Ohio. Dr. Luis G. Vargas has served as his doctoral research advisor and physical therapist, Marty Biondi, has been his research consultant. He has 13 years of experience as a physical therapist assistant and an extensive continuing education history that primarily focuses on strength and conditioning with an emphasis in core stabilization.
Donna Adler, BA, ATRIC, is founder of Lyu Ki Dou™ and owner of Liquid Assets for Fitness. She is a trainer for the Arthritis Foundation and works with geriatrics and clients with health challenges. She has been an AEA Advisory Board member and is a recognized national provider for AEA and ATRI. Donna attends a Medical Intuitive Training Program at the Center for Applied Energy Medicine. Beyond her active aquatic and private healing practice, Donna facilitates workshops on healing and spiritual self-mastery.
Debbie Ashton, MS, ATRIC, has been teaching dance and exercise for over 35 years. As a certified Feldenkrais® and Watsu® Practitioner, she has been treating patients on land and in water at two physical therapy clinics and two wellness centers in Knoxville, TN for 18 years, while teaching her "Fluid Moves" courses internationally at conference and rehab facilities. Her "Alertness Breaks" programs have been offered as college credit courses, and in 1996, she became the first Feldenkrais® Practitioner to be on an Olympic medical team. She has produced three teaching videos and several audio sets, and developed the Well Beings Mats to support people in their independent healthy life choices.
Barbara Batson, is a certified AEA Aquatic Fitness Instructor. She serves general, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, MS, senior, and prenatal populations. Barb is program trainer for both NMSS and the Arthritis Foundation. She is co-founder of the Nashville Aquatics Alliance and serves on the Mayor’s Healthy Nashville 2010 program and the Community Health and Wellness Team.
Robert Bayley, SDPT, is a graduate physical therapy student coursing studies towards the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the Department of Physical Therapy at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. He will be completing his doctoral degree in August 2008 and has successfully defended his doctoral research project. He is currently in the process of completing his last internship at Ohio Valley General Hospital in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Dr. Luis G. Vargas has served as his doctoral research advisor and physical therapist, Marty Biondi, has been his research consultant.
Flavia Bayron, PT, MPA, ATC, is an associate professor at the University of Puerto Rico in the physical therapy program. Her area expertise is in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. She has collaborated with the San Juan Sports Medicine Clinic and the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee.
Sheralee Beebe, BA, MES, is a Post-Rehab Aquatic Specialist, who has been practicing since 1991. She has developed three full-service aquatic rehab programs in Canada and California. Sheralee is the co-author of the ATRI Rheumatology Certification, and is a member of the ATRI Standards and Certification Committees.
Patrick L. Bekeza, Esq, has been a member of the California Bar for more than 25 years. He has an extensive background in the insurance business and has received the designation of CLU and RPLU and is currently licensed in CA. He has more than 15 years experience ranging from senior vice president of marketing for a major carrier to being an independent owner and operator of insurance brokerage companies. He currently spends the majority of practice on workers compensation matters providing services to medical providers.
Marty Biondi, PT, ATRIC, is co-owner of Therapeutic & Wellness Specialists and has been involved in various aspects of aquatics for 30 years. She was recently elected Director of Practice for the APTA Aquatic Section and is involved with aquatic research, specifically low back pain.
Rodna Bordner, MOT, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist, who has incorporated aquatic occupational therapy into educational programs, providing services to school children ages 3-22 years. She has been active in aquatics for over 30 years as a Water Safety Instructor, and Water Safety Instructor Trainer. In 2002, she received the ATRI Tsunami Award for innovation in the aquatic industry for the development of an assessment and program for children with Autism and sensory processing disorders, which she co-directed for 4 years. She was also editor of the Aquatic Therapy Network for OT’s for five years.
Paula Briggs, MS, is an exercise physiologist from West Virginia University where she serves as coordinator of Aquatic Therapy Research. Paula established the aquatic therapy curriculum at WVU and received the prestigious “Aquatic Therapy Professional of the Year” award from the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute in 2000.
Lexie Cox, MPT, ATRIC, has been an aquatic therapist for 10 years, working with children- to-geriatrics, neurological-to-orthopedic diagnoses. She has received awards for outstanding patient care and was nominated as Caregiver of Year. She is an instructor/trainer for the Arthritis Foundation, and a certified AEA Instructor.
Laurie Denomme, B. Kinesiology, is a certified AEA, ACE, AFAA, CALA, and CanFit PRO Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer who presents internationally on all areas of aquatic fitness. She blends her strength in management and leadership, with her creative yet functional presentation skill. Laurie is an AEA Training Specialist and Co-Author/Director of Program Development for Aquatic Options educational programs & resources. www.lauriedenomme.com
Michael Dufresne, BA, DO, holds a degree of Osteopathy from Le College d’Etudes Osteopathiques de Montreal (C.E.O.). He practices traditional and aquatic osteopathy in his current practice in Canada. Michael has co-written a research paper on the adaptation of therapeutic principles of osteopathy into the aquatic environment and does extensive research in this area. www.osteopathie-aquatique.com
Mary Essert BA, ATRIC, has been involved in training instructors for the Arthritis Foundation/YMCA Aquatic Program since 1982. Her experience is internationally recognized in the field of Adapted Aquatics and rehabilitation. Currently she is employed at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center and teaches both Arthritis Plus and Fibromyalgia classes regularly, as well as working individually with therapy/rehab patients. www.maryessert.com
Susan Falsone PT, MS, ATC/L, CSCS,
is Director of Performance
Therapy with Athletes Performance, a training facility for the elite and
professional athlete. She has presented at the National Physical Therapy
Conference and her research regarding functional performance testing has been
published in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy.
Susan J. Grosse, MS,
currently president of Aquatic
Consulting & Education Resources, has over 40 years experience in aquatics. She is past president of the American Association for
Active Lifestyles and Fitness and past chair of the Aquatic Council of AAHPERD.
Her publications include work in adapted aquatics, lifeguarding, instructional
swim, water exercise, post-traumatic stress disorder, crisis management,
contagion, and program administration. She has been a speaker throughout the
United States, as well as in Canada, Ireland, and Egypt. She received the ATRI
Tsumani Spirit Award in 2006.
Patty Henry-Schneider MS, LPC, is a psychotherapist certified in EMDR and a certified Ai Chi instructor. She has encouraged movement toward wellness by including body, mind, and spirit in the journey toward mental health. Creating a bridge between providers of aquatic therapy and providers of mental health services has become her passion.
Rosemary Herlong, MS, CTRS, ATRIC,
has worked as an
aquatic therapist since 1992, runs her own business, Waterspice, and works for
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC, as their aquatic
therapist. She was a recipient of the 2001 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award.
Bonnie Hopps,
Fitness Program Coordinator for The Arthritis Society, Manitoba division, has
been certified by Dr. Paul Lam in Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor Update
Course, Tai Chi for Arthritis Part II Course, and Tai Chi for Diabetes
Instructor’s Course. She is also certified as an Arthritis Foundation Exercise
Instructor/Trainer, Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Instructor/Trainer.
W. Guyton Hornsby, Jr., PhD, CDE, is an exercise physiologist from West Virginia University where he serves as Director of the WVU Human Performance Lab. He received his PhD in exercise science from Louisiana State University and did post-doctoral training in diabetes and exercise at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Hornsby is currently conducting a study funded by the National Swimming Pool Foundation which is comparing land-based and aquatic exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Lynette Jamison, OTR/L, has been working with and teaching the concepts of aquatic therapy for 18 years. She is the director of aquatics and rehabilitation at Desert Pain Institute in Mesa, Arizona with 20 employees. Lynette has authored and co-authored, Future Waves: Aquatic Policy & Procedure Manual 2004, A Team Approach to the Aquatic Continuum of Care 2000, and Aquatic Therapy Using PNF Patterns1994. and numerous articles and chapters in other books.
Connie Jasinskas, MSc, is an international educator through her company: For the Love of Fit. She is the author and trainer of numerous aquatic post-rehab workshops and courses, including Aquanatal, Back Splash and Aqua Arthritis. She is currently providing aquatic rehabilitation for the Canadian Back Institute Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre.
Brenda M. Klass, PhD, MFT, DACFE, founder of Care Center Rehabilitation and Pain Management, has been involved in patient care and practice management for over 30 years. She is a licensed health care professional, a certified medical practice manager, certified in medical reimbursement, and certified in California workers compensation bill review.
Melissa Lewis, MPT, ATRIC, NCCARD, is the Chief of the Aquatic Therapy Section at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has been involved in aquatics for the past 10 years, after being introduced to the field through Paula Briggs and the Aquatic Therapy Program at West Virginia University. She is currently serving as Treasurer for NCCARD.
Dori Maxon, PT, PCS, MEd, ATRIC, is a physical therapist, specializing in pediatrics and aquatics. In 1991, she founded SNAP, a non-profit community-based aquatic program in Berkeley, CA, serving children with special needs. Dori has been honored with the 1999 Tsunami Spirit award, the 2001 ATRI Professional of the Year, and the 2004 John K. Williams Award.
Bess Maxwell, PhD, PT, is an Exercise Physiologist, Certified Aquatic Physical Therapist, Certified Adaptive Aquatics Instructor, Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and Certified Lifeguard with 20 years of experience. She co-founded ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness and has worked with individuals, ranging from one year to 68 years with a wide range of abilities.
Julia Meno-Fettig, CTRS, ATRIC, is the founder/owner of Therapeutic Aquatics, Inc. and aquaticcentral.com, specializing in consulting, information and rehabilitation. She is the author and publisher of The Bad Ragaz Ring Method Visual Instructional Manual and video and co-producer of the PNF in The Pool video. She received the 2002 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award. www.aquaticcentral.com
Ruth Meyer, MEd, RKT, ATRIC,
has offered aquatic therapy and kinesiotherapy services for over 20 years. She
has been a kinesiotherapist for 26 years and an Arthritis Foundation Instructor
trainer for AFYAP and PACE for 11 years. She continues to expand her practice to
include Bad Ragaz, Halliwick, Watsu®, the Burdenko Method, craniosacral and
myofascial release.
Terri Mitchell, BA, PTA, ATRIC, is on staff
at the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys working with young adults in the
water. She is a Certified Personal Trainer for both land and water, and
co-author of Applications of PNF Techniques in the Aquatic Setting manual
and co-producer of the PNF in the Pool video. She is the 2001 recipient
of ATRI’s Dolphin Award.
www.aquafit.com
Mick Nelson, BS, MS, is the Director of USA Swimming's Facilities Development Division. Sue Nelson, BS, ATRIC, is the Aquatic Programs Specialist for USA Swimming. The Nelsons come from a club coaching background and have extensive experience in business and aquatic management. They formed their own swim club and built their own indoor facility in Danville, Illinois, while adding a retail and wholesale pool/spa and aquatic equipment business to the mix. They also offered aquatic facility design, building, and business consultation to the aquatic industry with their company, NSS Inc. In 1994, they formed WaterWay Therapy Inc., which was one of the first and only privately owned and operated Medicare-approved outpatient aquatic physical therapy centers in the country. Poolside Health & Wellness Center was created by the Nelsons in 2002 and became the home for the USA Swim Club, WaterWay Therapy, and Swim America learn-to-swim program, as well as a full-service land and water community health and wellness center. In June 2004, they moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to help form the new Facilities Division of USA Swimming. www.usaswimming.org
Eduardo
Netto, MS, is on the academic faculty at the University Estácio de Sá
in Brazil, and is the fitness director of the Body Tech Health Club. He has a
master’s degree in human motricity, and is currently pursuing his PhD in medical
studies. He has published several books, DVDs and a CD-ROM.
Bill Riley, LPTA, ATRIC, is a facilitator of neuromuscular techniques
to enhance cardiovascular training in gravitational and aquatic environments for
geriatric clients using wet proof computerized heart rate monitoring. He has
been a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, and a member of the APTA and APTA
Aquatics, Orthopedic, and Geriatric Sections.
Marilyn T. Rodgers, MSPT, has over 10 years experience in amputee
rehabilitation with both dysvascular and traumatic amputees. Her special
interest lies in adaptive sports. She also has experience in aquatic therapy for
various patients, to include a variety of diagnoses. She serves as a military
liaison for Walter Reed to an adaptive kayaking program.
Ruth Sova, MS, ATRIC, founder/ president of ATRI, and founder of AEA, received the Governor’s Entrepreneurial Award, the IDEA Outstanding Business Award, the first Presidential Sports Award in aquatic exercise, and AEA’s 1994 Contribution to the Industry Award. She has authored 15 books. www.ruthsova.com
Carolyn Sprehe, BS, ATRIC, specializes in
water-based programs for people with developmental disabilities. She has a
bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and is ATRI certified. She is a swim coach
for the Special Olympics of Missouri. Carolyn received the 2003 Outstanding
Recreation Provider Award sponsored by the Recreation Council of Greater St.
Louis.
www.showmeaquatics.org
Yoshiken Tanaka, ATRIC, is manager of
SportsCore, a well-known swim and fitness club in Tokyo, and has spent 26 years
teaching swimming to all ages, and more than 10 years teaching Qigong in water.
An ATRI certified instructor, he is a practitioner of Qigong and Shiatsu
massage.
Monica Tiberi, MD, works for the Department
of Prevention in Ancona, Italy, testing athletes with cardiovascular screenings
and leading a program of physical activity and cardiovascular prevention for the
local population. She received her medical degree at the University of Sport,
Cologne (Germany), and completed a specialization in sports medicine at the
University of Rome.
Mie Tsutsui, ATRIC, is on the aquatics staff
of Urayasu Brighton Hotel’s Fitness Division. She also teaches aquatics at the
Tokyo American Club, a well-known fitness club in Tokyo, and has spent 10 years
teaching aquatics to all ages, especially seniors.
Luis G. Vargas, PhD, PT, ATRIC, has been a
physical therapist for 30 years. He is the author of Aquatic Therapy:
Interventions and Applications and the recipient of the 2004 ATRI Aquatic
Therapy Professional Award and the 2000 ATRI Dolphin Award. He has completed
several research studies on various aquatic therapy interventions.
www.drvargasaquatics.com
SSG Jessie White
was hit with an Improved Explosive Device (road side bomb) while serving with
the US Army in Iraq in June 2005. Upon returning home, he had full ankle
reconstruction. He was introduced to aquatics when he came to the Warrior
Transition Unit in Fort Dix, NJ. After his expedient recovery, Jessie saw the
water as a tool for healing other soldiers. He later attended ATRI conferences
in Chicago and Virginia. Now Jessie is a Platoon Sergeant with the Warrior
Transition Unit with 38 injured soldiers from Iraq seeking help from him
(mentally and physically). He is also an instructor of aquatic fitness and
rehabilitation for the wounded soldiers. He has received numerous awards,
including five Army Achievement Awards and three Army Commendation Awards.
SGT Kimberly Worster joined the Military in
2003. She attended numerous schools including Airborne School, Carpentry Masonry
School, and Recruiting Retention School. After her move to Dallas, Texas, she
deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, with an Infantry Company as a Truck Commander in June
of 2006 and returned to the States in June of 2007. She started working for the
Wounded Soldiers that are returning from or deploying to Iraq (Warrior
Transition Unit) in Fort Dix, NJ, where she is now involved with the Fort Dix
Aquatic Training Program. She has attended two of ATRI’s conferences in Chicago
and Virginia. She has received numerous awards due to service to country.
Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC, is a professor of physical education at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds multiple certifications in aquatics and fitness. Her company, MW Associates, offers consulting workshops in health and aquatics. Mary is a long-time faculty member and serves on varied committees for ATRI. She is a regular presenter for the Aquatic Exercise Association/IAFC. Mary is Committee Chair for Aquatic Therapy Practitioner of NCCARD (The National Commission for the Credentialing of Aquatic Rehabilitation Disciplines). She is the author of Risk Awareness and Safety Training and developed Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi™. www.mwaquatics.com