Athletico’s New Certified Hand Therapists

Athletico congratulates six staff hand therapists who recently passed the Certified Hand Therapist examination.  All have now earned the distinguished mark of the CHT.

The credentials “CHT” distinguish an occupational or physical therapist as someone who has had:

•  At least 5 years of clinical experience in their respective field
•  4000 hours or more of direct practice experience in hand therapy
•  Successfully completed a comprehensive test of advanced skills and theory in upper extremity rehabilitation.

Athletico’s Certified Hand Therapists have earned the highest professional credential in this specialty area.  Successful outcomes depend on the highest level of competency and advanced knowledge and skills.  Athletico is pleased to offer the highest quality and most advanced hand therapy to patients.

Athletico offers hand therapy at over 100 locations.

Congratulations to these newly credentialed Certified Hand Therapists!
Read more about them below.

Alex Degnan MS, OTR/L, CHT | Athletico River Grove, Illinois

Alex graduated with Masters of Occupational Therapy from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ in 2009. She has been a therapist with Athletico for almost 5 years. Alex was born, raised and still lives in the Northwest side of Chicago.

Catherine (Katie) Kerr MS, OTR/L, CHT | Athletico Norridge, Illinois

Katie has been an Occupational Therapist for almost 7 years. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services and Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy.  She is very interested in graded motor imagery and mirror therapy and enjoys treating all upper extremity diagnoses, but in particular wrist fractures, wounds, and tennis elbow.

Jennifer Hauschild, MS, OTR/L, CHT | Athletico Edwardsville, Illinois

Jennifer attended Washington University in St. Louis where she earned her Master’s Degree in Occupational therapy in 1997.  She began her specialization in upper extremity rehabilitation in 2010 and joined the PRORehab therapy team in 2012.  She currently practices at Athletico in her hometown of Edwardsville, Illinois, and recently expanded her service area to include the Athletico location in Collinsville, Illinois.

Neysa A. Torrisi, OTR/L, CHT | Athletico Vernon Hills, Illinois

Neysa earned her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in 1999 from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has over 15 years of experience and has worked for Athletico for 2 years. Her clinical interests include trauma/complex injuries, sports injuries and orthosis fabrication.

Luke Devries, MS, OTR/L, CHT, COMT | Athletico Logan Square (Chicago, Illinois)

Luke has been practicing exclusively in hand and upper extremity therapy for 5 years. He graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis with a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008 and received Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy from the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine in 2013. Luke volunteers as an adaptive ski instructor for children and veterans with disabilities for the non-profit, Adaptive Adventures.

Paul Kohler OTR/L, CHT | Athletico Festus, Missouri

Paul began his career as a Rehabilitation Aid in the PRORehab Festus clinic in 2006. This experience peaked his interest in the Hand Specialty. He pursued this interest and graduated from St. Louis University’s Occupational Therapy program in 2008.  Paul is also an Industrial Rehabilitation Specialist and treats injured workers with all types of injuries.

To schedule an appointment with a Hand Therapist near you or for a Complimentary Injury Screen, please click here.