Elected by Ballot and Announced at CSM in Nashville
The Following Will Assume Office June 2008
At APTA San Antonio

Aquatic Physical Therapy Section

Elected
President
effective
June 2008

Bess Maxwell, PT, PhD

1. Prepare a statement of how your experience and expertise could be used in the office you seek to further the objectives of the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section. Please be sure to include any experience you have that is specifically relevant to the position for which you have been nominated.

I have served as Treasurer of the Aquatic Section for 3 years. In that time I learned the ways in which our section operates and the roles of the other officers, directors, and committee members. I have developed a productive working relationship with our Executive Director, Ellen Caruso and her staff. I have over 20 years of experience leading and directing operations in fitness and therapy organizations. I founded and was CEO for ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness for 7 years and I currently work as a full time therapist in that organization.

2. Explain your perceptions of the direction the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section should take in the future and how your goals for the position you seek will affect this end.

The Aquatic Section is a small organization within the very important and influential APTA. Most of our members are very enthusiastic about the value of aquatics in physical therapy and would like see a widespread use of aquatics in rehabilitation. I believe that we can expand our influence by providing more out reach to our current members, cultivating new relationships through working with PT students, establishing collaborations with the other APTA organizations, and working with other aquatic-related associations. The ultimate goal is to promote greater use of aquatic physical therapy because we know that it is so effective.

3. Provide brief biographical information in 100 words or less, highlighting your education, work experience, current employment and volunteer work with APTA and other organizations. Include any other information you wish to share.

Education

BS in Physical Education, University of Arizona
MA in Exercise Physiology, Ball State University
MS in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine
PhD in Animal Physiology, University of Arizona

Positions

Project Director, Arizona Heart Institute, Phoenix AZ
Fitness Department Director, DePaul Health Center, St. Louis, MO
Rehab/Ergonomics Dept Dir., HealthLine Corporate Health Services.,
St. Louis., MO
Physical Therapist, Heritage Physical Therapy, St. Charles, MO
Founder, CEO, and PT, ShowMe Aquatics & Fitness, St. Charles, MO
Associate Professor in PT, Program in PT, Washington University, School of Medicine

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Elected
Treasurer
effective
June 2008

Jan Marie Pratt, PT

1. Prepare a statement of how your experience and expertise could be used in the office you
seek to further the objectives of the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section. Please be sure to include any experience you have that is specifically relevant to the position for which you have been nominated.

I have been a member of the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section for ten years and a member of the American Physical Therapy Association for twenty-one years. I designed and opened Aquatic Fitness, Inc in Creve Coeur, Missouri in March 1997, and opened a second clinic in O’Fallon, Missouri in April 2002. I am responsible for the finances, and have handled all aspects of the company.

2. Explain your perceptions of the direction the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section should take in the future and how your goals for the position you seek will affect this end.

I would like the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section to continue to reach out and find new members so that our enrollment continues to grow thus giving us a larger budget. I would like the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section to invest time and money into getting the word out…educating Therapists, Physicians, and the Public on the benefits of aquatic physical therapy. And, finally to create a mentoring systems to further educate APTA members and students.

I received a BS in Physical Therapy and Science in 1987 from Maryville University. From 1987-1989 I was employed by St. Louis University Hospital. From 1989-1997 I worked in Industrial Rehab for The Work Center. In 1997, opened Aquatic Fitness, Inc. where I continue to treat patients. I have written an article entitled “The Healing Qualities of Water” for the Orthopedic Technology Review. And, have provided lectures and lab time to area Universities on the benefits of Aquatic Rehabilitation. Recently, I have lectured on Rehabilitation Principles after Total Disc Replacement at the Combined Sections Meeting in Boston, MA February /2007.

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Elected
Director of Membership
effective
June 2008

Beth Baudendistel McMahon, PT, MPT

As an Aquatic Coordinator and Physical Therapist I have “recruited” clients, patients and peers to participate in water exercise and aquatic therapy for the past 20 + years. As a member of the Aquatic Section BOD, I believe that I bring creativity and varied clinical experience to problem solving. I also have a strong desire to share my knowledge of the healing benefits of water with PT/PTAs, students, patients and clients and thereby strengthen the cause for Aquatic Physical Therapy.

2. Explain your perceptions of the direction the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section should take in the future and how your goals for the position you seek will affect this end.

I believe that the Aquatic PT Section should lead the entire Therapy realm (including Physical, Occupational and Recreational therapies as well as wellness-based exercise programs) in clinical and evidence-based practice and research. The APTA Aquatic PT Section should be the clinical specialists (and scientists) proving the efficacy and benefits of aquatic therapy and water exercise. As the Director of Membership, I will consistently seek and encourage anyone interested to find the support and direction they need to prove the value of our specialized profession. I will continue to provide continuing education on the safety principles needed when working in water and support programs in both therapy and wellness for the aquatic community including providing CEU courses.

My Physical Therapy education includes a 1985 BS PT from SLU and 2005 MPT degree from UTHSCSA. My work experience has focused on Aquatics throughout my career including inpatient rehab at the Rehab Institute of San Antonio (8 years), outpatient PT and wellness at Baptist HealthLink (3 years), and presently in wellness, community service and private practice at the University of the Incarnate Word (6 years). I have been a BOD member with the Arthritis Foundation (15 years) and Hot Wells Institute (5 years). I served this past year on the BOD of APTA Aquatic PT section and assisted on the Advanced Competency committee.

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Elected
Director of Practice
effective
June 2008

Marty Biondi, PT, CSCS

Having been in the aquatic therapy venue for over 30 years in various capacities, I have an understanding of the broad spectrum of aquatic therapy.
As an Aquatic Physical Therapist I have treated a host of diagnoses in pediatrics through geriatrics: orthopedics, neurologic, geriatrics with comorbities and elite athletes. Therefore, my understanding of what water can do is encompassing.
This tenured and diverse background will be applied to Director of Practice

2. Explain your perceptions of the direction the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section should take in the future and how your goals for the position you seek will affect this end.

The Aquatic Physical Therapy Section:

Should be able to coordinate a variety of aquatic practitioners to offer the best therapy to patients;
Become involved with organizations offering different aquatic therapies by way of improving patient services/wellness opportunities;
Should be at the forefront of aquatic therapy and setting practice standards.

In short, this Section should be the experts – and therefore the first place the individual therapist turns for help – by all aquatic therapists. My experience – as a practitioner, student and guest speaker – brings history, understanding and research to affect this end.

PT since 1991; currently partner in out-patient physical therapy facility
Over 30 years in aquatics in a variety of capacities.
Participated “PT on the Hill” as Federal Affairs Liaison
On APTA tasks forces for risk management, considering advanced competencies, reimbursement
ATRI certified, 1999-present
ATRI guest speaker, 1998-present: course topics range from Aquatic Lumbar Stabilization to Spinal Chord Injury; courses include the latest research available
National Committee for the Credentialing of Aquatic Rehabilitation Disciplines (NCCARD), Steering Committee, January 2007 – present.
Articles published in Physical Therapy-related magazines during the past 5 years; co-authored “Orthopedics and Aquatics” chapter in Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy, 2e.

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Elected
Nominating Committee Member
effective
June 2008

David Morris, PT, PhD

I have been a member of the Aquatic PT Section since it began and was on the original Executive Committee. I have served as Secretary (2 terms) , President (2 terms) and Journal Editor for the Section. As such, I have worked closely with individuals in all leadership positions in the Section and have a good understanding of the roles they play and qualities required to be successful in them. I have also had a variety of leadership positions in other APTA components including nominating committee for the clinical education special interest group (Section for Education) and the health promotion special interest group (Geriatric Section).

2. Explain your perceptions of the direction the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section should take in the future and how your goals for the position you seek will affect this end.

I believe that the Section should develop more post professional development opportunities for PTs and PTAs interested in Aquatic Physical Therapy. As an example, the Section could assist in the development of credentialed clinical residencies in aquatic PT. To achieve this end, the leadership for the Section will need to be visionary and work wisely and diligently. As a nominating committee member, I will look for candidates with the qualities needed for achieving this goal.

I am Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Prior to this appointment in 1991, I was the therapeutic pool coordinator at Spain Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham. In addition to leadership positions mentioned in question 1, I was Associate Editor for the Lippincott textbook Aquatic Rehabilitation. I have contributed to other texts, published numerous aquatic PT manuscripts, and provided numerous courses/lectures concerning use of the pool for therapeutic purposes. I am currently President of the Alabama Chapter of the APTA.

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fcc -- 02/19/08

7400 East Arapahoe Road, Suite #211, Centennial, Colorado 80112 U.S.A.
Phone 303.694-4728 Fax 303.694-4869 Email aquaticpt@assnoffice.com