Member May 2026: Aquatic Medicine: Poolside Perspectives — Member Networking Night (On-Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session introduced the new Aquatic Medicine Group within AAPMR, focused on building a collaborative network for physiatrists and other providers interested in aquatic sports and aquatic rehabilitation. Dr. Brian Craback opened the meeting by explaining the group’s broad scope, including swimming, open water, diving, artistic swimming, and water polo, and emphasized PM&R’s strengths in multidisciplinary care.<br /><br />Erin Cameron, Director of Medical Services at USA Swimming, described how providers can get involved, mainly through referrals or by emailing her directly. She explained that USA Swimming assembles small medical teams for events and aims to restart a sports medicine symposium next year. Attendees discussed the importance of gaining sideline and swimmer-specific experience.<br /><br />Participants then introduced themselves and shared their connections to swimming, including personal backgrounds, rehabilitation interests, and concerns about drowning disparities in Black children. Resources from the USA Swimming Foundation were highlighted for swim lessons, community grants, and advocacy.<br /><br />The conversation also covered aquatic therapy’s role in neurology, autism, spinal cord injury, and general rehabilitation, plus the value of nutrition, sleep, and travel medicine in athlete care. Future plans included an AAPMR session on the swimming athlete, possible webinars, research collaboration, and networking opportunities.

Keywords

Aquatic Medicine Group

AAPMR

Physiatry

Aquatic Rehabilitation

USA Swimming

Swimming Athlete

Drowning Disparities

Aquatic Therapy

Sports Medicine Symposium