The Occupational Therapy Department of Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Rehabilitation Services offer a Hand Therapy Program led by Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs).

Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) are licensed therapists who have met nationally recognized standards and passed a qualifying examination. They have the highest level of training in their profession for treating the hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder. Our CHTs are available to treat outpatients with various diagnoses resulting from any injury, surgery or medical condition of the upper extremity. Trauma, fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, nerve compressions, amputations, burns, repetitive strain injuries, and arthritis are just some of the commonly managed problems treated by our specialized team of experts. Cooley Dickinson has more CHTs than any hand therapy provider in Western Massachusetts.

Meet Our Special Team

Gail Hegeman, MS, OTR/L, CHT, CEES, has been a certified hand therapist since 1999 and has worked at Cooley Dickinson since 2000. Prior to that she practiced in return-to-work centers, hospitals and private practices. In addition Gail is a Certified Ergonomic Specialist and provides lectures in various settings regarding both hand and ergonomic topics. She specializes in managing work-injury-prevention programs.

Carol Stoddard, BS, OTR/L, CHT, is a founding member of the American Society of Hand Therapists with 35+ years experience in hand therapy. She joined Cooley Dickinson in 2005, bringing with her clinical experience in hospitals, outpatient services and private practices. Carol is a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member with two collegiate programs. She is a board member for the Journal of Hand Therapy. She is nationally recognized as a lecturer in flexor and extensor tendon injuries.