Meet Our Hand Therapists!
University Orthopaedic Surgeons’ hand therapists work closely with our hand, elbow, and wrist surgeons to provide a continuum of care. This can start within days of the injury or surgery and through to your return to a productive lifestyle.
Hand therapists are occupational therapists or physical therapists who, through advanced study and training, specialize in treating conditions affecting the elbow, wrist, and hand, such as:
- Arthritis
- Fractures and dislocations
- Nerve compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel
- Sports-related injuries
- Tendonitis and tendon lacerations
- Work-related injuries
Meet Our Hand Therapists
Lynne Johnson, P.T., C.H.T.
I chose my field of medicine and area of specialty because . . .
I enjoy the “one on one” time required to treat hand and UE patients. The complexity of hand patients is a challenge, but so rewarding. It is amazing to watch their progress - physically, functionally, and emotionally.
What would you like to communicate to all your patients about your approach and philosophy to providing care and treatment?
I would like them all to know I will do whatever it takes to help them achieve their highest goals for function. If I don't have all the answers, I will seek them out or draw on the expertise of my team members.
What makes you the happiest or what do you enjoy most about your profession?
I enjoy finding what each individual needs to know to help them achieve their goals. I want them to understand why therapy works and why I challenge them to be compliant with their plan of care. I love to see the joy in their eyes when they make progress and succeed.
Additional comments . . .
I am blessed to do something that rewards me while serving others. There is no better job than that.
Katie McKinney, M.O.T., O.T.R./L., C.H.T.
I chose my field of medicine and area of specialty because . . .
I love the idea of OT in that we really focus on the meaningful tasks of others to help regain function and allow them to do what they want/need to do. I also love the idea of PT in that they use exercise to facilitate strength, mobility, and endurance to regain or maintain basic body functions to be able to move easily. As a (future) CHT, I get to combine elements from both professions to really push others to reach their maximum potential. Working with hands is also a challenge for me because there is always something new to learn, a new way to do things, and I can't get complacent in my thinking or how I treat others.
What would you like to communicate to all your patients about your approach and philosophy to providing care and treatment?
I want my patients to feel like this is a collaborative effort in returning them to whatever it is they want to do. I'm an open book and I'm honest, I want to know what makes them motivated, and I want them to be even better than what they were before. If I don't know the answer - I will find it, and if there is a problem, I will do my best to fix it. I want them to feel comfortable and confident in my ability to help them become independent.
What makes you the happiest or what do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love people and I love when people do things they didn't think they could. It's amazing to see progress and the patient's mentality change throughout the process. I love getting to know my patients and I feel like they are my family and I only want what is best for them.
Additional comments . . .
I love this company and the people I work with, they have allowed me to grow from a student into a professional, and hopefully future CHT. I could not have done it without my mentors. I appreciate the surgeons and PAs and other staff that are so open to communication with me to achieve the best results for the patients. I respect our surgeons so much and I feel extremely honored to work with them and they trust me with their patients. I could not work for a better company.
Susen V Thomas, O.T.R./L., C.H.T.
I chose my field of medicine and area of specialty because . . .
I am intrigued and amazed by the intricacy and complex design of the hand and the upper extremity. Disruptions or pathologies in the upper extremity can be devastating. My job as a Hand and Upper extremity therapist allows me to assist people to regain and restore their abilities to use their hands and arms to return to their daily lives. This is why I feel privileged to work in this specialty.
What would you like to communicate to all your patients about your approach and philosophy to providing care and treatment?
That the patients can help themselves with my assistance to achieve their full potential in terms of using their hands and upper extremities. I like to help people understand and appreciate this precious gift of their hands. I would like the patients to know that I work as part of a team along with the physicians and other staff members to achieve their full potential. I count it a privilege to help people in their recovery.
What makes you the happiest or what do you enjoy most about your profession?
The challenge of seeing a tough patient, and figuring out solutions so that they can get better. Doing my job to the best of my ability to benefit others and further my profession. Seeing people get better and return to their lives. Teaching other patients, students, and other staff.