The 2015 Healthcare Excellence in Aquatics Award Judging Panel

Kevin Wilk

Dr. Kevin Wilk has a distinguished career as a clinical physical therapist for the past 29 years, as a leading authority in rehabilitation of sports injuries and orthopaedic lesions. Kevin is currently Associate Clinical Director for Champion Sports Medicine (a Physiotherapy Facility) in Birmingham, AL. In addition, he is the Director of Rehabilitative Research at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham and is Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Kevin is the Rehabilitation Consultant for the Tampa Bay Rays’ Baseball Team, and has worked with the Rays for 15 years. Kevin has served as President of the Sports Section of the APTA from 6/2007 till 6/2010, and has served as Vice-President, Education Program Chairman and Editor of the Home Study Course for the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA for 7 years. Kevin is a clinician, researcher, and educator and is generally regarded as one of the leading sports physical therapists experts in the evaluation and treatment of shoulder, knee and elbow joint injuries. He is active daily with patient care, research and educational activities.

 

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Dr. Dennis Dolny

Dr. Dennis Dolny received his BA and MS in Physical Education from Wake Forest University and PhD from Kent State University in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology. For the past 24 years he was on faculty at the University of Idaho where he also directed the Human Performance Laboratory. In 2008, he accepted the Department Head position in Health, Physical Education & Recreation in the College of Education & Human Services at Utah State University. He has chaired ten doctoral committees and published 30 peer-reviewed research articles. At USU his laboratory collaborates with USU Sports Medicine examining the role of hydrotherapy in rehabilitation following lower extremity surgical procedures and joint replacement in the elderly.

 

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Dr. Paul Hetrick

Dr. Paul Hetrick is President of The Hetrick Center, international lecturer on chiropractic rehabilitation, inventor of the HydroWorx pools, Chairman of the Board of HydroWorx Int., international lecturer on Aquatic Therapy, Advisory board member for the PTA program at Central Penn College, Past President, Chairman of the Board, Treasurer and Board member for the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, Chiropractor of the Year (1991) for the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, post-graduate instructor for Palmer College of Chiropractic, Life University, Cleveland Chiropractic Colleges.

 

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Keith McCrate

Keith McCrate is the director of rehabilitation at Presbyterian Village North, a faith-based nonprofit CCRC in Dallas, Texas. He received his Physical Therapy degree from The Ohio State University in 2002 and has been working with the geriatric population for the past 12 years. At PVN he oversees a team of 46 licensed therapists, his comprehensive therapy program at PVN incorporates the latest information and technology including aquatic rehabilitation into senior rehabilitation and wellness.

 

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Kim Eichinger

Kim Eichinger is a certified fitness professional with 30 years experience designing and leading exercise programs with the past 15 years committed to promoting senior fitness and wellness. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Fitness for Country Meadows Retirement Communities. The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) bestowed her with its Innovator Award for inspiring creativity and helping to shape the future of health and wellness for seniors. In addition to directing the fitness programs and providing leadership to the team of fitness coordinators at Country Meadows Retirement Communities, Ms. Eichinger has also served as a fitness consultant for the Pennsylvania Office of Aging by providing community senior centers with exercise classes, directed the senior wellness program for HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital and trained activity staff from more than 60 assisted living communities in exercise instruction. 

 

 

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Veronica Paquette

Veronica Paquette is a physical therapist and owner of Essex Aquatic & Rehab Center in Essex Junction, VT. Veronica graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS in Physical Therapy and is certified in Aquatic Rehabilitation. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the APTA Aquatics Section. She has been certified through the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute since 1997 and through the Postural Restoration Institute since 2010. Practicing in the physical therapy profession since 1990, Veronica has developed a passion for treating patients in the aquatic medium. Opening the doors to her own private practice 12 years ago and adding private therapy pools has allowed her ability to continue to pursue her passion of treatment in the aquatic medium. 

 

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The 2015 Healthcare Excellence in Aquatics Award Selection Process:

The public voting page will be open through January 28, 2015 11:59pm EST. Individuals are allowed to vote once per day. At the conclusion of the open voting period, the winner of the public’s vote will count as 1 vote. The finalists will also go through a judging process by a panel of six independent judges, listed above. Each judge's final selection will count for 1 vote toward the winner for a total of 6 votes in addition to the 1 public vote.  

 

The winner of the 2015 Healthcare Excellence in Aquatics Award will be announced in the HydroWorx Booth, at the American Physical Therapy Association's Combined Section's meeting in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 6:15pm, during our cocktail event.

 

The 2015 Healthcare Excellence in Aquatics Award Recipient will Receive:

  1. A trophy commemorating their accomplishments for Aquatic Excellence and a $1,000 cash prize.
  2. The second place recipient will receive a $500 cash prize.