Shown with Dr. Vargas, center, are Richard Ruoti, Dublin, Penn., left, after whom the award is named, and Section President Karolyn Grimm, PT, MS, Greenport, N.Y.

In making the nomination, PT Marty Biondi wrote in part:

"Having worked with Dr. Vargas on various aquatic endeavors including a research project and certification process, I believe I can attest to his vast knowledge of physical therapy, his passion for aquatic therapy as a practitioner and as an instructor, his integrity and willingness to share his vast experience in the field of aquatics. 

"As the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy for Wheeling Jesuit University, he encourages the DPT students to utilize aquatic therapy as the treatment medium for their research and has facilitated this process by making his contacts in the field available to assist those who are interested.  Currently, he has two research teams involved in this much needed endeavor for the entire field of aquatics.  While having been Chair only since July 2006, Dr. Vargas has begun the process of establishing an Aquatics Residency/Fellowship Program for post graduate individuals interested in pursuing such a specialty.  This shall ultimately undergo the accreditation process of APTA, and will mark the first of it kind for the PT professional.  His long-term plan is to provide an academic specialty in Aquatic Therapy; to this end he is diligently working to satisfy the university criteria for such a program.

"Realizing that academia is only one facet of providing quality care for patients involved with aquatic intervention, Dr. Vargas has initiated  and is chair of a multi-tiered professional certification process to recognize the aquatic therapy professional and aquatic Physical Therapists. His commitment to providing the aquatic therapy professional with documentation recognizing the specific skill/knowledge involved with aquatic treatments is unmatched in our field to date.

"It would be a serious omission if I failed to include Dr. Vargas’ research endeavors, all accepted by juried publications.  His contributions to our knowledge of evidence-based aquatic interventions covers a multiplicity of topics verifying the value of Bad Ragaz, Wassertanzen and other popular treatment techniques addressing musculoskeletal issues.

"Dr. Vargas has also provided the therapeutic community with a comprehensive textbook geared to the practicing aquatic therapist.  Aquatic Therapy: Interventions and Applications, published in 2004, is a must have for anyone using aquatics for therapeutic intervention.  Dr. Vargas is currently working on an additional text, Diagnostic Aquatic Systems Integration, to be released in 2009, which will provide treatment progressions for a myriad of physical conditions that can be managed with Aquatic Therapy.

"Dr. Vargas has been a much sought after speaker with respect to aquatic therapy internationally, most recently as a keynote speaker / presenter at the IV International Congress of Physical Therapy in San Jose, Costa Rica. October 18-20, 2007. His lectures here included Clinical Wassertanzen Protocols, the use of aquatic myofascial and soft tissue release, and aquatic pain management techniques. Dr. Vargas was also invited to lecture in South Korea in October 2007; has spoken at three Combined Sections Meetings on various aspects of Aquatic Therapy; has been a much sought after speaker/presenter at ATRI events where he has given 20+ presentations on evidence based treatment techniques.  Dr. Vargas’ expertise is not limited to aquatics as he has been an active participant at the APTA’s 2006 and 2007 Leadership Conference for Academic Administrators and Clinical Educators.

"While Dr. Vargas’ accomplishments are exceptional, they are overshadowed by the awards he has received for service to the aquatic therapy profession and to his students.  These include:

~ AQUATIC REHABILITATION CLINICAL SPECIALIST Board Certification, The National Commission for the Credentialing of Aquatic Rehabilitation Disciplines (NCCARD), Aquatic Physical Therapy Commission, Certificate Credential # 107001, March 30, 2007  
~ 2004 AQUATIC THERAPY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD, 2004 Aquatic Therapy Symposium, Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute, August 14, 2004: Las Vegas, Nevada
~ AQUATIC THERAPY AND REHABILITATION CERTIFICATION, International Commission on Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Industry Certification (ICATRIC), June 2004
~  ITEM WRITER AND REVIEWER, FEDERATION OF STATE BOARDS OF    PHYSICAL THERAPY, Item Writer and Review Committee (Appointed Member), May 2001 to May 2002
~  2000 DOLPHIN AWARD, 2000 Aquatic Therapy Symposium, Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute, August 26, 2000: Orlando, Florida
~ 1995 OVERALL OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTOR AWARD, 1995 Barry University Physical Therapy Convocation Ceremony; August 12, 1995
~ 1993‑94 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, Barry University; April 1994
~ 1994 NOMINEE FOR CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY; Florida Physical Therapy Association

"In closing, I would like to mention that while he has been Chair / Director of a total of eight physical therapy programs at all levels (associate, bachelors, masters and doctorate). He has also served as faculty in four physical therapy programs, two of them at the doctorate level; has been the owner of a private company dedicated to aquatic physical therapy; and has been a practicing physical therapist since 1976, Dr. Vargas continues to bring enthusiasm, passion, and a consummate dedication unmatched to all aspects of aquatic therapy."

To learn about Wheeling Jesuit University, click on the following link:
http://www.wju.edu/about/

To contact Dr. Vargus, go to:
Directory, PT Dept., WJU

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