2026 AHTF Happy Hour with a Scholar
Christine B. Novak, PT, PhD
AHTF’s 2026 Honored Scholar
Nerve Injury and Nerve Compression: Insights from a Clinical Researcher
Guest Lecturer: Christine B. Novak, PT, PhD
Location:
2026 American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Meeting
Baird Center in Milwaukee
400 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI
Date: Saturday, October 10th
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Lecture Description
Patients with nerve injury or nerve compression present with variable sensorimotor impairments, which can contribute to functional limitations and disability. From the lens of a career as a physical therapist and clinical researcher, this lecture will present an overview of the advances in the assessment and management of patients with nerve injury and nerve compression through clinical research, patient engagement, and collaboration.
Meet Dr. Novak:
Christine B. Novak, PT, PhD
Associate Professor in the Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery and Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto.
Her research has focused on clinical outcomes, assessment of patients with nerve and musculoskeletal disorders, and factors related to upper extremity disability. She has numerous peer review publications, book chapters, and national and international presentations. Dr. Novak is a past-President of the American Society of Peripheral Nerve, has served on the Board of Directors of the American Association for Hand Surgery, and is an Associate Editor of HAND.
Generously Underwritten by North Coast Medical
Scholar Circle
Hand Therapy Society of Greater Los Angeles
Dorit Aaron, OTR, MA, CHT, FAOTA & Barbara Winthrop OTR, MA, CHT, FAOTA
Research Circle
American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
Hospital for Special Surgery
Hand Therapy Certification Commission
Kirk Gober, OTR, OTD, CHT.
Greg Pitts
Mentor Circle
Aviva Wolff, EdD, OT, CHT
Explorer Circle
Texas Society For Hand Therapy
Lisa Delventhal
Elizabeth De Herder
Keri Landrieu, LOTR, CHT
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Pat Crespil Locksmith & Safes
Past Scholar Honorees:
2025 Julianne W Howell, PT, MS, CHT
2024 Charles Goldfarb, MD
2023 David Green, MD
2022 Mark E Baratz, MD
2021 Susan Mackinnon, M.D., F.R.C.S.(C), F.A.C.S
2020 Scott Kozin, MD
2019 A. Lee Osterman, MD, FAOA
2018 Joy MacDermid, BSc, BScPT, MSc, PhD
2017 Roy Meals, MD
2016 Sue Blackmore, MS, OTR/L, CHT, COMT, UL
2015 Peter Amadio, MD & Nancy Cannon, OTR, CHT