— LISTEE'S SPOTLIGHT —

Dr. Katz is an Olympic swimmer, health advocate, and a longtime professor of health and physical education at the City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Taught from a young age that swimming was both a transformative sport and a crucial part of personal safety, she began swimming competitively, going on to participate in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and several Maccabiah Games. Dr. Katz holds numerous records and championship titles in FINA World Masters, United States Masters, and Pan-American Masters synchronized, freestyle, and relay swimming events, and has held leadership roles in the United States Maccabiah Games and United States All-American Masters swim teams for decades. She holds a Doctor of Education in gerontology and a Master of Education in therapeutic recreation for aging from the Columbia University Teachers College and has authored numerous books and aquatic fitness routines for participants of all ages. Dr. Katz is the creator of W.E.T.S for Vets and K.A.R.E., aquatic therapy programs for veterans and youth exiting the justice system, and a fierce advocate for the equalizing and healing power of aquatic fitness.