Hand Therapy Specialists

What is a Certified Hand Therapist?

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational/ physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of hands.

They must have a minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience with at least 4,000 hours in hand therapy and have successfully challenged the Hand Therapy Certification Commission exam in order to obtain these credentials. CHT’s are dedicated professionals who have a commitment to meet the highest standards of their profession. The hand and arm have extremely intricate anatomy and complexity. Rehabilitation of the hand and arm requires in-depth knowledge and up-to-date techniques. Certified Hand Therapists have the highest level of competence in the rehabilitation of upper extremity injuries.

Certified Hand Therapists are able to initiate treatment immediately following surgery often while stitches are still in place. Early referral to a hand therapist is effective in preventing further surgeries and obtaining an optimal outcome.

Lauren Piekarski, OTR/L

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Lauren graduated from Clemson University in 2014 with Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Bachelor's degree in Food Science- Nutrition and Dietetics, and a minor in chemistry. She went on to receive her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the New England Institute of Technology. Lauren has experience working in a variety of settings such as skilled nursing facilities, home health, hospitals, and hand therapy. When she is not in our clinic, you can find Lauren working at INOVA with patients who have experienced a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. Her goal is to help her patients be able to participate in activities that are meaningful to them. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with friends, and working out.

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Kathryn Trizna, OTR/L

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Katie joined Alliance in 2017. She graduated from University of Virginia in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She then served two years of AmeriCorps before returning to school to complete a Master's program in Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Among her fieldwork placements, Katie worked with a skilled occupational therapist at The VA outpatient clinic in D.C. There, Katie worked with Veterans who presented with cognitive challenges, injuries to their upper extremities, and those with adaptive equipment needs. She enjoys treating patients with all upper extremity conditions, post-op cases, and fitting patients with customized splints. She is an active member of ASHT and AOTA. In her free time, Katie likes to spend time with her family and dog, go to the movies, read, and volunteer.

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Kimberly Hartman, OTR/L , CHT

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Kim is a Certified Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist specializing in Hand Therapy since 1995. In 1995, she received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University in Towson, MD. She began her career in an acute care hospital where she worked in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Here she received a broad perspective of Occupational Therapy, to include: acute trauma, post-surgical care, stroke rehab, pediatric developmental delays, wound care, lymphedema management and hand therapy. Later, she went on to attend one of the premiere schools in the nation for Hand Therapy, Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA., where she received a post-graduate level certificate in Hand and Upper Quarter Rehabilitation. She earned the prestigious Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) certification in 2005.Kim has assisted with implementing and developing Hand Therapy programs in various outpatient therapy practices in Northern Virginia. She has extensive upper extremity experience with treating both children and adults with complex hand injuries. Currently, she works directly with Hand Surgeons locally that specialize in orthopedic upper extremity injuries of the upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand. Kim is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and also has been trained in and is a provider of the Graston technique. Kim is a lifelong learner and she attends continuing education courses regularly so that she can provide the highest level of services to the patient’s she treats. She excels at the challenge of working with a variety of complex injuries and diagnoses and is extremely skilled in splinting and modalities. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and son, traveling, reading and outdoor activities.

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