Program
Hand Care 2026 Advancing the Quality of Patient Care through Medical Education
5:00pm-8:00 pm Registration | Lobby area
5:00pm-9:00 pm. Exhibit Area Set-Up | Waters A
7:00am-5:00 pm Registration Desk Open Foyer | Outside Waters B-C
7:00am-8:30 am Embassy Suites Breakfast Hotel Restaurant “The Local”
8:00am-12:05 pm Morning Lecture Presentations | Waters B-C
8:00-8:05 am Welcome & Introduction | Danielle G. Sparks, DHS, MOT, OTR, CHT
Session Moderator Nicolas E. Crosby, MD
8:05-8:25 am Diagnostic Ultrasound for Tendon Injuries: Applications in Hand Therapy | Nicolas E. Crosby, MD
8:25-8:50 am Flexor Tendon Repairs: Zone V | Nancy M. Cannon, OTR, CHT
8:50-9:10 am Plated Distal Radius Fractures: Key Information for the Hand Therapist | James P. Fischer, MD
9:10-9:30 am Problem Solving the Challenging Distal Radius Fracture | Sally Roscetti, OTR, CHT
9:30-9:50 am Wound Healing Principles: Fundamentals for Optimal Rehabilitation | Ian Chow, MD
9:50-10:20 am EXHIBITOR EDUCATION Exhibitors Area | Waters A
Session Moderator Gregory A. Merrell, MD
10:20-10:45 am Effective Treatment Approaches for Lateral Elbow Pain: To Cut or Not to Cut | Gregory A. Merrell, MD
10:45-11:10 am Getting Back to the Basics: Effective Treatment for Lateral Elbow Pain | Ashley M. Kinton, MS, OTR
11:10-11:25 am Clinical Experience: Benefits of Medrol Dosepaks | Mollie K. Hanlon, MS, NP-C, MBA
11:25-11:45 am Grip Strength & Aging: Indications for the Hand Therapist | Elena T. Bolin, EdD, MS, OTR, CHT
11:45-12:05 pm Anatomy of the Serratus Anterior & Its Impact on Shoulder Function | Danielle G. Sparks, DHS, MOT, OTR, CHT
12:05-1:00 pm
LUNCH BREAK
Hotel Restaurant “The Local”
12:05-1:00 pm EXHIBITOR EDUCATION After lunch, enjoy the exhibitors!
1:00-3:30 pm Afternoon Lecture Presentations | Waters B-C
Session Moderator Reed W. Hoyer, MD
1:00-1:20 pm Surgical Management of Midshaft Humeral Fractures | Gregory J. Schmidt, MD
1:20-1:45 pm Therapy Approaches for Midshaft Humeral Fractures | Sarah E. Mart, MS, OTR, CHT
1:45-2:05 pm Understanding the Skin’s Role in Pain | April M. Zapf, MS, OTR, CHT, COMT
2:05-2:30 pm Surgeon’s Approach to Managing PIP Joint Fractures and Dorsal Dislocations | Reed W. Hoyer, MD
2:30-2:50 pm Therapy for PIP Joint Fracture Dislocations | Corrine N. Sisson, OTD, OTR
2:50-3:15 pm Clinical Approach to Defrosting the Frozen Shoulder | Jessie K. Salley, MS, OTR
3:15-3:30 pm Embracing Innovation: Essential AI Tools for the Hand Therapist (co-created with AI) | Danielle G. Sparks, DHS, MOT, OTR, CHT
3:30-4:00 pm EXHIBITOR EDUCATION Exhibitors Area | Waters A
4:00-5:30 pm SESSION I
Hands-on Orthotics Lab: Midshaft Humeral Orthosis
– Brief overview of anatomy
– Preferred alternative prefabricated options
– Step-by-step instruction and hands-on fabrication of a humeral fracture orthotic
– Design considerations & fabrication pearls
– Cardstock template provided
Room TBD
Nancy M. Cannon, OTR, CHT
Sarah E. Mart, MS, OTR, CHT
Karen K. Nordin, OTR, CHT
Machelle E. Duke, OTR, CHT
Ashley M. Kinton, MS, OTR
4:00-5:30 pm SESSION II
Hand and Wrist Joint Mobilization
– Brief overview of wrist and digit anatomy
– Effective joint mobilization techniques for limited digit and wrist range of motion
– Key exercises to improve digit and wrist range of motion
– Hands-on joint mobilization practice
Room TBD
Debra J Sturm, OTD, MSOT, CHT
Priya Bakshi, OTD, OTR, CHT
Bindu C. Abraham, MOT, OTR, CHT
April M. Zapf, MS, OTR, CHT, COMT
4:00-5:30 pm SESSION III
Kinesiology Taping
– Taping techniques in the clinic that have proven to be effective
– Hands-on opportunity to work with K-tape
– Education on the importance of exercise in conjunction with K-tape
– Wear a tank top for optimal participation
Room TBD
Scott D. Gould, OTR, CHT, CKTP
Jessica A. Grogan, MOT, OTR, CHT
Jessie K. Salley, MS, OTR
Corey L. Benedyk, OTR, CHT
4:00-5:30 pm SESSION IV
Post-op Wound Care 101: What ALL Hand Therapists Should Know!
– Simple, objective approaches to assessing wound healing
– Importance of the light compression dressing for post-op patients
– Most common suture techniques
– Factors that influence the timeline for suture and staple removal: hand, wrist, and forearm
– Hands-on simulated suture removal and light compression dressing application
Room TBD
Nikki M. Samuelson, MOT, OTR, CHT
Caitlin S. Kent, MOT, OTR
Jenn R. Schelling, MOT, OTR, CHT
Savannah A. Moore, OTD, OTR
4:00-5:30 pm SESSION V
Ugh…The PIP Just Won’t Straighten: Exploring Orthotic Options
– Distinguish the difference between a PIP joint lag and stiffness
– The use of a relative motion orthosis to increase both PIP extension and flexion
– Hands-on fabrication of the “extension drop-out” orthosis
– Prefabricated options to increase PIP extension
Room TBD
Corrine N. Sisson, OTD, OTR
Samuel L. Kleinschmidt, MS, OTR
Kayla M. Jordan, OTD, OTR
Elena T. Bolin, EdD, MS, OTR, CHT
5:30-6:30 pm
EXHIBITOR EDUCATION, RECEPTION, & RAFFLE Exhibitor’s Area | Waters A
7:00am-5:00 pm Registration Desk Open Foyer
7:00am-8:30 am Embassy Suites Breakfast Hotel Restaurant “The Local”
7:00am-5:00 pm Exhibitor Education Area Open | Waters A
8:00am-12:00 pm Morning Lecture Presentations | Waters B-C
Session Moderator Brandon S. Smetana, MD
8:00-8:20 am CMC Arthritis: Options for Treatment | Brandon S. Smetana, MD
8:20-8:40 am Customizing Orthotic Interventions for CMC Arthritis | Caitlin S. Kent, MOT, OTR
8:40-9:05 am Isometric Strengthening: What Have We Been Missing? | Scott D. Gould, OTR, CHT, CKTP
9:05-9:25 am Detailed Intrinsic Anatomy Dissection | Suzanne R. Cornelius, PA-C
9:25-9:45 am Beyond the Catch: Problem Solving the Stubborn Trigger Finger Release | Samuel L. Kleinschmidt, MS, OTR
9:45-10:15 am EXHIBITOR EDUCATION Exhibitors Area | Waters A
Session Moderator Nancy M. Cannon, OTR, CHT
10:15-10:30 am Why “Aggressive” Therapy Does Not Work in Hand Therapy | Jenn R. Schelling, MOT, OTR, CHT
10:30-10:45 am Rotator Cuff Repair Video: Key Considerations in Surgical Techniques that Influence Post-op Therapy | Sameer K. Puri, MD
10:45-11:05 am Steps to Achieve Excellent Outcomes for Rotator Cuff Repairs: Keeping it SIMPLE! | Bindu C. Abraham, MOT, OTR, CHT
11:05-11:25 am Importance of Setting Expectations After a Nerve Transfer | Brandon S. Smetana, MD
11:25-11:45 am Desensitization Techniques and WHY They Work | Kayla M. Jordan, OTD, OTR
11:45-12:00 pm Orthotic Video: Here We Go Again…The Munster Fabrication | Lauren C. Koger, MOT, OTR, CHT
12:00-1:00 pm
LUNCH BREAK
Hotel Restaurant “The Local”
12:00-1:00 pm EXHIBITOR EDUCATION | After lunch, enjoy the exhibitors!
1:00-3:30 pm Afternoon Lecture Presentations | Waters B-C
Session Moderator Kathryn M. Peck, MD
1:00-1:15 pm Understanding Pickleball Players and Related Upper Extremity Injuries | Debra J. Sturm OTD, MSOT, CHT
1:15-1:35 pm The Hand Therapist’s Role in Ergonomic Assessment and Intervention | Nikki M. Samuelson, MOT, OTR, CHT
1:35-1:55 pm Managing Nail Bed Trauma in Surgical Practice | Kathryn M. Peck, MD
1:55-2:15 pm Nailed It: Therapy After Nail Bed Trauma | Corey L. Benedyk, OTR, CHT
2:15-2:35 pm Interpreting Research Articles for the Practicing Clinician | Priya Bakshi, OTD, OTR, CHT
2:35-3:00 pm The Effect of Growth Plate Injures in the Pediatric Population | Kathryn M. Peck, MD
3:00-3:30 pm Understanding Unique Characteristics of Pediatric Upper Extremity Fracture Rehabilitation | Jessica A. Grogan, MOT, OTR, CHT, CLT
3:30-4:00 pm EXHIBITOR EDUCATION Exhibitors Area | Waters A
4:00-5:30 pm Afternoon Instructional Sessions (repeat)
7:30am-8:30 am Embassy Suites Breakfast Hotel Restaurant “The Local”
8:00am-12:00 pm Anatomy – Orthotics – Evaluation Lab (Arrive early for gowns & masks) | Waters A-C
| Rotation 1: | Thumb Anatomy | Nikki Samuelson, MOT, OTR, CHT | 21: | Mollie Hanlon, MS, NP-C, MBA |
| Rotation 2: | Thumb Orthoses | Machelle Duke, OTR, CHT | 22: | Samuel Kleinschmidt, MS, OTR |
| Rotation 3: | Hand – Flexors | Deanna Mote, NP-C | 23: | Gregory Merrell, MD |
| Rotation 4: | The Intrinsics | Kelly Wikse, NP-C | 24: | Reed Hoyer, MD |
| Rotation 5: | Hand – Extensors | Caitlin Garren, PA-C | 25: | Jill Ridge, MS, OTR, CHT |
| Rotation 6: | Hand Orthoses | Corrine Sisson, OTD, OTR | 26: | Karen Nordin, OTR, CHT |
| Rotation 7: | Wrist Anatomy | Gregory Schmidt, MD | 27: | William Kleinman, MD |
| Rotation 8: | Wrist Orthoses | Jenn Schelling, MOT, OTR, CHT | 28: | Kayla Jordan, OTD, OTR |
| Rotation 9: | Forearm Bony Anatomy | Sarah Mart, MS, OTR, CHT | 29: | April Zapf, MS, OTR, CHT, COMT |
| Rotation 10: | Forearm Muscles | Ian Chow, MD | 30: | George Beyer, MD |
| Rotation 11: | Break | Break | 31: | Break |
| Rotation 12: | Elbow Anatomy | Sara Barton, PA-C | 32: | Derek Schloemann, MD |
| Rotation 13: | Elbow Orthoses | Jessie Salley, MS, OTR | 33: | Caitlin Kent, MOT, OTR |
| Rotation 14: | Shoulder Bony Anatomy | Debra Sturm, OTD, MSOT, CHT | 34: | Elena Bolin, EdD, MS, OTR, CHT |
| Rotation 15: | Shoulder Soft Tissue Anatomy |
Shelby Smith, MD | 35: | Jun Kit He, MD |
| Rotation 16: | Shoulder Evaluation | Sameer Puri, MD | 36: | Nicholas Crosby, MD |
| Rotation 17: | Taping Techniques for the UE |
Scott Gould, OTR, CHT, CKTP | 37: | Sue Lewis, OTR, CHT |
| Rotation 18: | Humeral Fracture Bracing | Nancy Cannon, OTR, CHT | 38: | Ashley Kinton, MS, OTR |
| Rotation 19: | Quiz Time! | Sally Roscetti, OTR, CHT | 39: | Corey Benedyk, OTR, CHT |
| Rotation 20: | Break | Break | 40: | Break |