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Background

Luis G. Vargas, PT, PhD, ATRIC was born in Puerto Rico. He attended the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy where he received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy Degree (Cum Laude) in May 1976. Prior to this, he completed an associate degree in physical therapy and worked as a physical therapist assistant in California before returning to Puerto Rico to pursue further studies.

He began his career as a physical therapist at Boston University Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. His area of clinical concentration was Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. Dr. Vargas occupied his first clinical administrative post as Chief Physical Therapist at Pondville Hospital, a medical-surgical oncology hospital in Massachusetts and later became the Assistant Director of the Physical Therapy Department and Supervisor of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy at The Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, a medical center affiliated with the University of Massachusetts.

Dr. Vargas completed his Master of Education Degree at Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His first academic appointment was as Chairperson of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Newbury College in Brookline, Massachusetts. Dr. Vargas had entered a new facet of his career as an academician which led him to other faculty and academic administrative positions in reputable institutions throughout the country. Among these were Northeastern University, Barry University, South University, Youngstown State University, University of Puerto Rico, Langston University, Hampton University, and Wheeling Jesuit University just to name a few. He has chaired eight academic programs in physical therapy at all levels: associate degree, master’s degree, and doctorate.

Dr. Vargas delivers the commencement address at Barry University

In 1990, Dr. Vargas successfully completed his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Higher Education Administration at The Union Institute and University, Graduate College, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His doctoral dissertation (PDE) is titled “Physical Therapy Education in the 1990’s: Curriculum Studies in a Multicultural Environment”. His curriculum was divided into four components within the realm of Higher Education Administration: Ethics, Law, Politics and Economics. In addition, the doctorate covered courses in organizational management, curriculum design and program policy. He completed three internships in academic affairs as curricular requirements.

In 1993, Dr. Vargas entered a new phase as an accomplished physical therapist. He became an aquatic physical therapist and completed intensive specialization training in all aspects of aquatic rehabilitation making this his new found specialty and area of clinical concentration. As an aquatic rehabilitation specialist Dr. Vargas is a distinguished speaker and presenter at congresses and conferences both nationally throughout the United States and internationally in countries such as Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea (Seoul), Spain, and his own homeland of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Vargas teaches an aquatic therapy specialty workshop in Seoul, Korea

Dr. Vargas was board certified by the International Council for Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Industry Certification (ICATRIC) which is no longer in existence and was involved in the development of a board certification process known as NCCARD, the National Commission for the Credentialing of Aquatic Rehabilitation Disciplines (which has also been dissolved).

Teaching Expertise

Academically, Dr. Vargas’ teaching expertise has centered on Human (Clinical) Gross Anatomy, Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Pathology, Physical Agents, Therapeutic Exercise, Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, and Aquatic Rehabilitation. He is also experienced in Oncology Physical Therapy, Infectious Diseases and selected elements of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation as a physical therapy educator.

Clinically, Dr. Vargas is a prominent aquatic rehabilitation expert and notably recognized as such throughout the United States and the world. Prior to this honorable distinction, he practiced as a cardiopulmonary physical therapist with expertise in critical, acute, and rehabilitation management of patients with pulmonary and cardiac disorders.

Dr. Vargas is not only a consummate traditional pedagogue but has a wealth of experience in others various models of physical therapy and health sciences education such as the “problem based learning model” (PBL).

Professional Service

Dr. Luis G. Vargas’ service to his profession is most worthy of commendation. He has served as consultant to academic institutions both in the United States and internationally in program design and implementation as well as in accreditation issues. In the capacity of academic consultant, he is credited with the accreditation of two academic programs which had their accreditation jeopardized and has been involved in multiple program accreditation activities.

Dr. Vargas has been involved with service learning and cultural competence activities in his role as academician both in the United States and internationally in countries such as Mexico involving students in this aspect of their academic training. His notoriety and fame in the aquatic rehabilitation industry has even earned him distinction as an expert witness in legal cases. He has provided specialized clinical consultation services and additionally been a valued consultant in the design and implementation of aquatic physical therapy services at clinics and hospitals throughout the country.

For numerous years Dr. Vargas has been an eminent faculty member for the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute, and as such has participated as instructor in specialty institutes, seminars and its popularly attended International Aquatic Therapy Symposium held every two years. Dr. Vargas has furthermore dedicated years of service to his professional organization, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) which regulates and governs the practice of physical therapy in the United States. He has been an active member of the APTA Education Section and the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section for many years. In the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section, he was elected 1st Vice President and Section Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates and served in this role for his fully elected term. Additionally, he served as the appointed Federal Affairs Liaison for the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section to the Government Affairs Office of the APTA. Dr. Vargas was a member of the APTA Aquatic Physical Therapy Section, Advanced Competency Task Force that studied and established guidelines towards formalizing the process of clinical credentialing of aquatic physical therapists.

Additionally, Dr. Vargas has served as adjunct professor (and peer) on doctoral dissertation committees for the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio.