The Aquatic Therapy Professional Award recognizes outstanding professionalism and contributions to the aquatic therapy industry. 

Terri Mitchell, PTA, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Aquatic Therapy Professional Award. Bess Maxwell, PhD, PT, received the Aquatic Therapy Professional Award in Abstention. The awards were presented at the 17th Aquatic Therapy Symposium, June 30, 2010, in Sanibel, FL, by the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute (ATRI). Tsunami Spirit Awards were presented to Steve Bergstrom, VP Sales and Marketing, AquaJogger; and Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS. Aquatic Therapy Dolphin Awards were presented to Sally Brindle, BS, ATRIC; and Linda Scott, BA, AEA.

Mitchell has been involved with aquatic fitness since 1982. She is a training specialist with the Aquatic Exercise Association, a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), specializing in aquatic therapy, and instructor of a variety of aquatic fitness classes to persons of all ages and abilities. She has taught here in the US and also in Italy, Australia, Mexico, Japan, England and Korea. Mitchell practices at St. David's Rehab in Austin, TX, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Kinesiology Department. She holds certifications from AEA, ATRI, and IAR. Terri is a Certified Personal Trainer for both land and water. She is co-author of "Applications of PNF Techniques in the Aquatic Setting" manual and co-producer of "PNF in the Pool" video.  She is the 2001 recipient of ATRI's "Dolphin Award."

Dr. Maxwell is currently working as a full-time physical therapist at La Posada Out-patient Therapies in Green Valley, AZ. Her practice is 50% aquatics with an emphasis in geriatrics. She earned her PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Arizona and her master's degree in physical therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She is the current President of the APTA Aquatics Section. She also serves on the Board of Directors for ShowMe Aquatics and Fitness, a mission-driven organization in Missouri that she co-founded to provide barrier-free exercise programs for people with disabilities.

 Bergstrom has a Human Development and Performance degree from the University of Oregon. He began working with AquaJogger, when it was a start-up corporation, by developing production and shipping standards, securing raw material supplier partnerships, and assisting in new product development - including therapy-oriented innovations. He is currently Vice President of AquaJogger Sales and Marketing where he develops strategic marketing and sales plans, oversees all advertising and public relations opportunities, and explores new product additions.

Dr. Scalone is committed to demonstrating the benefits of aquatic therapy to health care workers, fitness experts, and others who otherwise may not be aware of its effectiveness. She received her PT degree from the University of Connecticut and her DPT from Boston University. She lives and practices in San Diego where she is an adjunct faculty member at San Diego Mesa College and the University of St. Augustine-San Diego. She has taught athletic trainers and teaches for ATRI, ARN and the APTA. Scalone has been the owner of North County Water and Sports Therapy Center in San Diego since 1997, where she works directly with patients, and supervises, aquatic physical therapy care for individuals with orthopedic programs. 

Brindle is the Aquatic Program Director at the Indianapolis JCC. She earned her ATRI Certification in 2005 and has been a certified AEA Fitness Professional since 2003. She has been a National Trainer for the Arthritis Foundation and an Arthritis Foundation Instructor. She is also an MS instructor and working toward being an MS trainer. Brindle earned her Ai Chi Certification in 2007 and is also WSI Certified and is a WSI Trainer. She is working on her master's degree in therapeutic recreation at Indiana University. Brindle currently works with clients with joint replacements, arthritis, back injuries, Parkinson's disease, Down's syndrome, Autism and teaches swimming lessons and water exercise classes for healthy people. She also volunteers for the Arthritis Foundation and the Diabetes Association.

Scott is an Aquatic Fitness and Rehab Specialist for her company, AkwaMotion. She has a long list of volunteer accomplishments to her credit including developing and maintaining the ATRI Online Certification Exam and ATRI Online Continuing Education Courses. She is also editor of the ATRI Newsletter. In addition, she has assisted with the review of the online educational course being prepared by Human Kinetics Publishers, and assisted with the review of the Aquatic Therapy Bibliography of Books for ATRI. She also assisted with the development and implementation of the Aquatic Program at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, which led them to their state grant. Scott is a sales associate for Water Wear, and is AEA Certified, Hydrorider Certified, Ai Chi Certified, Hydro-Fit CORE Certified, and Arthritis Foundation Certified.

The Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Inc. is a non-profit educational corporation that offers educational courses to advance the competencies, knowledge and skills of the aquatic therapist. To receive information about the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Inc. educational programs and/or for award nomination forms, contact: ATRI, Toll Free-866-462-2874 or E-mail: atri@atri.org.