The two most common questions I (and I'm guessing most hand therapists) get asked are:
Why did you choose Occupational Therapy (vs PT)?
Why did you choose hand therapy?
It's easy to dive into differences in scope of practice or diversity of job responsibilities… and oftentimes that is my go-to answer. But other times I remember how I first learned about OT and when I really think about it… the reason I choose OT and ultimately the reason I choose hand therapy... is the people.
I first learned about OT as a freshman pre-law student on a mission trip in another country. The orphanage we were at that week had an American OT and two students with her. I watched and even was able to help with some of their sessions and what stuck out to me the most was how much they LOVED their job. It was so incredibly evident that I came home, switched around the entire college plan and decided…”I am going to be a pediatric occupational therapist!”
Fast forward a few years to OT school…” I am going to work in pediatrics!” We start taking anatomy… “okay this is fascinating but I like pediatrics.” I got assigned to an upper extremity research study… “okay but I like pediatrics.” We learn how to make orthotics… “but I like pediatrics?” And then my two research advisors suggest maybe I should just try a fieldwork rotation at a splinting clinic. So three months later… “Now I don't want to leave! But what about pediatrics?” So my clinical instructor says “have you thought about pediatric hand therapy?” “That's a thing?!??” cue pediatric hand therapy capstone. I wouldn't have even known about hand therapy, or pediatric hands, if it hadn't been for the people encouraging me during OT school.
So why did I choose occupational therapy? And why did I choose hand therapy? Certainly not because it was my original plan 😅 but because of consistent support and interactions with occupational therapists and mentors who LOVED what they do, and sharing it with other people. When it came time to prepare for my CHT, the same thing was true. The willingness of my mentors from school, co-OT and MDs made it possible to study, learn and become better on a daily basis.
The 2026 ASHT conference theme – “Bridging the Gap: Collaborating and Amplifying Our Voices” – will emphasize how small daily actions collectively sustain and strengthen our field.” I tell my patients all the time “if I have to work, I'd choose my job every time.” I am so fortunate to interact daily with OTs, PTs and MDs who love what they do and who are passionate about helping people improve.
So to the ones who inspired me: Cindy Ivy, OTR/L, CHT & Gretchen Bachman PhD, OTD, OTR/L, MBA, CEAS, CHT
The ones who trained me: Sabby Wade OTD, OTR/L, CHT & Josh MacDonald, MOT, OTR/L, CHT
the ones who made me a CHT: Cindy Hartman, OTD, CHT & Tim Dooley, MD
& and all the amazing hand therapists & surgeons I have met in the last few years… This OT month I celebrate you! Thank you for sharing the hand therapy world with me 🍻