“We remain committed to opening our wallets to fund research,” said John Puetz, NSPF president. “With so many options, we will rely on Dr. Becker to identify the best and brightest and to help us get more bang for the buck. Dr. Becker will look at what important public health issues might aquatics play the greatest role, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndromes, respiratory dysfunction, and depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.”
NSPF CEO Dr. Thomas M. Lachocki spoke of Dr. Becker’s advocacy and research, which he feels will ultimately lead to more people using pools and spas.
Dr. Bruce Becker is a physiatrist (a medical specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) with a lifelong interest in aquatic therapy. He has researched, published and lectured on aquatics across the globe. Currently, Dr. Becker is a clinical professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and also an Adjunct Research Professor at Washington State University, where he serves as Director of the National Aquatics and Sports Medicine Institute, pursuing physiologic research during aquatic activity. He and Dr. Andrew Cole, MD, co-authored the textbook Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy, which is now in its third edition. He has been twice named to the Power 25 by Aquatics International magazine and is the 2011 recipient of the John K. Williams Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his work in adapted aquatics. Dr. Becker has been the recipient of major aquatic research grants from the National Swimming Pool Foundation, as well as other grants from the National Disability and Rehabilitation Research division of the Department of Education.
“I am truly honored by being placed in this role, and see within it tremendous potential to advance the awareness of the value of water in restoring and preserving human health. I am thrilled to help create centers of excellence around the world that can advance research on aquatic activity and its health benefits,” said Dr. Becker. “As a clinician, I have seen so many people’s lives improved in the water. This role is a big step to seeing those numbers increase exponentially."
