ASHT is committed to developing emerging leaders both within the society and the hand therapy community. The society's Leadership Development Committee facilitates opportunities for ASHT members to grow leadership skills that can help them potentially transition into leadership opportunities both within the society and within the hand and upper extremity therapy community as a whole.
Leadership Development Program
ASHT’s Leadership Development Program aims to foster and enable present and upcoming leaders in hand and upper extremity therapy. The program’s goal is to advance the field of upper extremity rehabilitation by fostering a community of leaders. Participants will engage virtually in independent and group learning, as well as mentorship, in an inclusive environment. At the conclusion of the program, participants will have the skills needed to lead with integrity, compassion and innovation.
This program will provide participants with six modules over six months in both asynchronous and synchronous formats to assist in developing leadership skills in hand and upper extremity therapy. Required monthly cohort meetings will be held the last Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. ET.
Our 2025 cohort is underway (March to August 2025). The application window for the 2026 cohort will open in November 2025.
Cost: $240 (Participants will be notified in January and program fee will be due upon acceptance.)
Continuing Education: 12 CE hours/1.2 CEUs awarded to participants who complete all program modules.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend and present their program deliverable (e.g. poster presentation) at the ASHT Annual Meeting. Partial conference registration credit will be available for those attending.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Licensed as an occupational or physical therapist for at least one year
- An ASHT member in good standing (membership dues paid through the end of 2024 and must be renewed for 2025 by the start of the program)
- Committed to being a future leader with intentions to remain active within the specialty
- Available to attend monthly cohort meetings (via Zoom) at 8 p.m. ET the last Thursday of the month
- Willing to attend/present program deliverable at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City (October 23-25)
Time Commitment: 2024 participants reported the following average time spent on program activities —
- 1.9 hours weekly on asynchronous content
- 1 hour monthly in direct mentorship (mentor/mentee groups 1:2 or 1:1)
- 2.65 hours weekly on deliverable
View program objectives and outcomes
ASHT Connect Discussion Group
The ASHT Connect mobile app is a one-stop resource for connection, learning and idea sharing, includes exciting features so you can stay at the forefront of the latest discussions in hand and upper extremity therapy. Within the app's exclusive member forum, there is a Leadership Development forum created for users to learn more about leadership within ASHT at all levels, share volunteer resources and facilitate conversation among members in order to further their careers as leaders in the hand and upper extremity therapy community. If you are interested in being a dynamic player in this field to any degree, be sure to follow this forum community within the app so you don't miss a post!
Board Intern
The ASHT Board of Directors Intern position was established to introduce ASHT members to the process of board governance, nonprofit budget construction and ASHT activities. This opportunity will provide the intern with an experience to enhance his/her career in hand and upper extremity therapy, and help develop leadership skills that lead to future participation as a committee chair, division director or board member. This also provides a unique networking opportunity with ASHT leaders from around the country.
2024-2025 Board Interns
Amanda West, OTR/L, CHT
Karrianna Iseminger, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
If you are interested in learning more about the board intern position, please contact asht@asht.org.