2025 Emerging Hand Therapist Award

NOMINATION INFORMATION

Description
The Emerging Hand Therapist Award addresses the involvement and achievements of Certified Hand Therapists within the first five years of initial HTCC certification as they begin their specialty careers. The purpose of this award is to foster a legacy of participation in the profession by recognizing a newly Certified Hand Therapist’s leadership, educational contributions, scholarship, advocacy efforts, and hand therapy awareness initiatives.

Eligibility
Nominees for the Emerging Hand Therapist Award must be Certified Hand Therapists within five years of initial HTCC certification and a current member of ASHT in good standing for at least three years.

Members of the ASHT Board of Directors and the Awards Committee are ineligible for nomination.

Process
The Awards Committee accepts nominations from the membership and selects the winner through a structured process, presenting a non-monetary honor (plaque or equivalent award) at the ASHT Annual Meeting.

Frequency
Nominees for the award will be considered each year. Up to one nominee may be selected to receive this award per year.

Requirements

  • Completed online nomination form. Nominator must write to each applicable category on the nomination form with inclusion of supportive data from the nominee’s CV or other relevant evidence. Data may not be repeated in different categories.
  • A letter of nomination (maximum of 250 words) from an ASHT member in good standing for at least one year highlighting the strengths of the individual and establishing why the nominee meets the criteria of the award.
  • Nominee’s current curriculum vitae.

This completed application must be submitted no later than August 20, 2025

Eligibility

Letter of nomination must be from an ASHT member in good standing for at least one year. In 250 words or less, the letter should highlight the strengths of the individual and establish why the nominee meets the criteria of the award.
Upload requirements
Upload requirements

Category 1. Leadership.

Please indicate the nominee’s participation in the following:

ASHT Committee Chair
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Committee Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Task Force/Work Group – Leader
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Task Force/Work Group – Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Board Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Committee Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Elected State Hand Therapy Association Board Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
State Hand Therapy Association Committee Chair
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
State Hand Therapy Association Committee Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Annual Conference Committee Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Overall Participation in Leadership Not Listed Above (Examples: APTA, AOTA, NATA)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.

Category 2. Educational Contributions.

Please indicate the nominee’s participation in the following:

HTCC Committee Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
HTCC Item Writer
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Annual Conference Speaker/Workshop Presenter/Panel Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Annual Conference Moderator
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
ASHT Annual Conference Poster Presentation
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Regional Hand Therapy Symposium, Chair (for example Philadelphia Hand Rehabilitation Foundation Symposium)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Regional Hand Therapy Symposium, Member
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Regional Hand Therapy Symposium, Speaker
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Educational Contributions Not Listed Above (and not within job description)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.

Category 3. Advocacy.

Please indicate the nominee’s participation in the following:

Legislative Activity on a National Level
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Legislative Activity on a State Level
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Legislative Activity on a Local or Community Level
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Advocacy Efforts Not Accounted for Above
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.

Category 4. Scholarly Contributions.

Please indicate the nominee’s participation in the following:

Books: Editor of Book (Hand Therapy related)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Books: Author/Co-author of Book (Hand Therapy related)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Books: Chapter Author (Hand Therapy related)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Manuscript Published in Peer-Reviewed Hand Therapy Journal
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Manuscript Published in Peer-Reviewed OT/PT/AT Therapy Journal
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Manuscript Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal with Content Relating to Upper Extremity Conditions
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Manuscript/Article Published in a Non-Peer-Reviewed OT/PT/AT Therapy Journal
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Reviewer for hand therapy related journal/publication
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF) Grant Reviewer
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Scholarly Contributions Efforts Not Accounted for Above
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.

Category 5. Hand Therapy Awareness Initiatives.

Please indicate the nominee’s participation in the following:

PR/ Media Appearances Regarding Hand Therapy (Live presentation)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
PR/ Media Appearances Regarding Hand Therapy (Virtual presentation)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Blogs, Instagram, or Social Media Pages Highlighting Hand Therapy (original content)
Regular maintenance of a blog, social media page, podcast, etc. relevant to hand therapy (must update 6 or more times per year)
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.
Hand Therapy Awareness Initiatives Not Accounted for Above
Please specify further by providing a reference, description, year, web links, and any other relevant information for each occurrence. This information may be copied and pasted from the nominee’s CV. (Do NOT indicate “see attached CV” as the information provided in the nomination form is what will be the basis for evaluating the candidate’s qualification for selection.) Data may not be repeated in different categories.