(Posted 10-4-00)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Service Contact: Natasha Ashe, 336-334-5371

UNCG PROFESSOR RECEIVES HIGHEST AQUATIC THERAPY AWARD
 
GREENSBORO — The desire to advocate and implement an aquatic therapy program at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro earned Dr. Ann Wieser, a professor of exercise and sport science at UNCG, the national Aquatic Therapy Professional Award.

The Aquatic Professional Therapy Award is presented annually by the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab, Institute, Inc. (ATRI), and recognizes outstanding professionalism and contributions to the aquatic therapy industry. The award was presented recently at the 11th annual Aquatic Therapy Symposium in Orlando, Fl. This year, the honor was given to two recipients for the first time ever. The ATRI is a nonprofit educational corporation that offers educational courses to advocate the competencies, knowledge and skills of the aquatic therapists. The agency provides membership and certification in the aquatic therapy and rehabilitation industry.

Combining her background as a Red Cross Instructor/Trainer and Adapted Aquatics Faculty with her desire to help others, Wieser developed and implemented one of the first university undergraduate aquatic therapy preparation programs in the U.S. The program was designed to provide entry-level professional preparation for students who will design, deliver and improve effective aquatics programs for a wide-range of community settings. This includes physical, occupational and recreational therapies as well as physical education. Over 25 students were enrolled in the UNCG program during the last academic school year. Wieser is a strong advocate for the aquatic therapy industry and was instrumental in its inception.

A UNCG faculty member since 1988, Wieser serves on the ATRI Standards and Certification Committees. She does reviews for the "Aquatic Therapy Journal" and is a member of the Aquatic Council, Adapted Aquatics Specialty Committee. Wieser's involvement in aquatics focuses in aquatics for individuals with disabilities. Wieser received her Ph.D. from the School of Education at UNCG.

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