Privacy Policy
It is American Hand Therapy Foundation’s (AHTF’s) policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect while operating our website.
Website Visitors
Like most website operators, AHTF collects non-personally-identifying information of the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request. AHTF’s purpose in collecting non-personally identifying information is to better understand how AHTF’s visitors use its website. From time to time, AHTF may release non-personally-identifying information in the aggregate, e.g., by publishing a report on trends in the usage of its website.
AHTF also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for logged in users and for users leaving comments on WordPress.com blogs. AHTF only discloses logged in user and commenter IP addresses under the same circumstances that it uses and discloses personally-identifying information as described below, except that blog commenter IP addresses and email addresses are visible and disclosed to the administrators of the blog where the comment was left.
Gathering of Personally-Identifying Information
Certain visitors to AHTF’s websites choose to interact with AHTF in ways that require AHTF to gather personally-identifying information. The amount and type of information that AHTF gathers depends on the nature of the interaction. For example, we ask visitors who sign up for a blog at WordPress.com to provide a username and email address. AHTF collects such information only insofar as is necessary or appropriate to fulfill the purpose of the visitor’s interaction with AHTF. AHTF does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below. And visitors can always refuse to supply personally-identifying information, with the caveat that it may prevent them from engaging in certain website-related activities.
Aggregated Statistics
AHTF may collect statistics about the behavior of visitors to its websites. AHTF may display this information publicly or provide it to others. However, AHTF does not disclose personally-identifying information other than as described below.
Protection of Certain Personally-Identifying Information
AHTF discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information only to those of its employees, contractors and affiliated organizations that (i) need to know that information in order to process it on AHTF’s behalf or to provide services available at AHTF’s websites, and (ii) that have agreed not to disclose it to others. Some of those employees, contractors and affiliated organizations may be located outside of your home country; by using AHTF’s websites, you consent to the transfer of such information to them. AHTF will not rent or sell potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information to anyone. Other than to its employees, contractors and affiliated organizations, as described above, AHTF discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information only in response to a subpoena, court order or other governmental request, or when AHTF believes in good faith that disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect the property or rights of AHTF, third parties or the public at large. If you are a registered user of an AHTF website and have supplied your email address, AHTF may occasionally send you an email to tell you about new features, solicit your feedback, or just keep you up to date with what’s going on with AHTF and our products. We primarily use our various product blogs to communicate this type of information, so we expect to keep this type of email to a minimum. If you send us a request (for example via a support email or via one of our feedback mechanisms), we reserve the right to publish it in order to help us clarify or respond to your request or to help us support other users. AHTF takes all measures reasonably necessary to protect against the unauthorized access, use, alteration or destruction of potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information.
Cookies
A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. AHTF uses cookies to help AHTF identify and track visitors, their usage of AHTF website, and their website access preferences. AHTF visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using AHTF’s websites, with the drawback that certain features of AHTF’s websites may not function properly without the aid of cookies.
Business Transfers
If AHTF, or substantially all of its assets, were acquired, or in the unlikely event that AHTF goes out of business or enters bankruptcy, user information would be one of the assets that is transferred or acquired by a third party. You acknowledge that such transfers may occur, and that any acquirer of AHTF may continue to use your personal information as set forth in this policy.
Ads
Ads appearing on any of our websites may be delivered to users by advertising partners, who may set cookies. These cookies allow the ad server to recognize your computer each time they send you an online advertisement to compile information about you or others who use your computer. This information allows ad networks to, among other things, deliver targeted advertisements that they believe will be of most interest to you. This Privacy Policy covers the use of cookies by AHTF and does not cover the use of cookies by any advertisers.
Privacy Policy Changes
Although most changes are likely to be minor, AHTF may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and in AHTF’s sole discretion. AHTF encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. If you have a WordPress.com account, you should also check your blog’s dashboard for alerts to these changes. Your continued use of this site after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such change.
Click Below for Past Awardee Lists
Grants
BURKHALTER New Investigator grant
| Year | Burkhalter Grant |
| 2025 |
Principal Investigator (PI): Jennifer Dodson, OTD, OTR/L, CHT. Co-Investigators: R. Glenn Gaston, MD, Bryan J. Loeffler, MD, Christopher J. Dy, MD, MPH, Calvin Chandler, MD, MBA, Ryan Serbin, Andrew Rees & Amy McQueen "Development and Validation of a Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Brachial Plexus Injuries" |
| 2024 | Nicole Hoover, MS, OTR, CHT for her research project entitled “Prevalence of Observed Thumb Metacarpophalangeal (MP) Collapse by Occupational and Physical Therapists: A Pilot Study.” |
| 2023 | Emily S. Ho, PhD, Med, OTReg (Ont), Lexi Davidson, BSc, MSc(c); Christine Novak, PhD, PT; & Samantha Anthony, PhD. Shouldering the Burdens of Adulthood — "An Exploratory Study on the Predictors of Lifelong Participation in Adults with Upper Limb Conditions" |
| 2022 | Christine Mulligan, OTD, CHT, Celeste Freeman, OTR/L, CHT, and Giovanna Fichera, OTD student — "Implementing a Novel Splinting Technique Using 3D models for Patients with Scleroderma and Arthritis" |
| 2020 | Emily S. Ho, PhD, Med, OTReg (Ont) - "Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Elbow Flexion Contractures in Infants and Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury" |
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2019
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Brocha Stern, OTR, MOT, CHT – “Self-Management in Adults after Distal Radius Fracture: A Mixed Methods Exploration”. |
| 2016 | Joseph Day, PhD, MS, PT, B.S Project entitled: “The Effect of Scapular Muscle Strengthening on Functional Recovery in Patients with Lateral Epicondylalgia” Awarded by AHTF Board approval: |
| 2015 | Kim McVeigh, Stephanie Kannas, Cindy Ivy, Peter Murray. The Efficacy of Dynamic Stabilization of the First CMC: A Prospective Randomized Study. |
| 2009 | Corey Weston McGee OTR, CHT, PhD student, University of Minnesota Twin Cites. Required hand grip forces for successful manual task performance. Fund with conditions |
| 2008 | Erika Lewis EdD, MSPT, CHT Trigger finger treatment; an outcomes study. |
| 2008 | Marcio Jose dos Santos PhD, PT Modulation of grip force in individuals with osteoarthritis of the hands. |
| 2006 | Rebecca L. Von Der Heyde, PhD, OTR/L, CHT The effects of shared decision making on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. |
| 2002 | Gail Groth OT Survey of Flexor Tendon Rehabilitation Practice Areas. |
| 2001 | Ayse Ozcan PhD, PT The age related sensorial changes in healthy subjects. ayse.edeer@dc.edu |
| 2000 | Orit Shechtman PhD, OT Using the torque-velocity test of the BTE-Primus to measure sincerity of effort of grip strength. |
| 1999 | Carla Cleary MPT, CHT & Kathy Sanders PT A comparison of potassium iodine and saline iontophoresis on scar pliability. |
| 1998 | Janet Poole PhD, OT Short term outcome following basal joint arthroplasty and occupational therapy, a pilot study |
| 1996 | Jennifer Wuori PhD The effects of bracing on grip strength and pain levels in lateral epicondyle |
| 1994 | Cathy Mishek O-Brien OT Health and comfort of the VDT workstations. |
| 1992 | Siaw Chui Chai, Ph.D Candidate. Hand Discomfort and Hand Function Status among Piano Students; University of New York; dept OT and Collega of Occupational Therapy, Malaisa |
Judy Bell-Krotoski "Grab the Evidence"
| Year | Grab the Evidence Grant (created 2002) |
| 2023 | Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, for "The Impact of Early ADL participation on Functional Outcomes Post Distal Radius Fracture" |
| 2022 | Tara Packham, OTReg(Ont.), PhD, for "Reliability and Validity of Somatosensory Measurement Techniques: A Proof-of-Principle Measurement Study of Novel Tools to Evaluate Altered Sensation" |
| 2019 | Sandy C. Takata, OTR/L, OTD, for “Informing a Precision Medicine Approach to Post-Surgical Flexor Tendon Rehabilitation using Sonography.” |
| 2016 | Corey McGee, PhD, MS, OTR/L, CHT and Ann Van Heest, MD Graded Motor Imagery for Women at Risk for Developing Type I CRPS following Closed Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Pilot Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial. |
| 2011 | Sharon Flinn, OTR, PhD Overuse injuries in the unaffected limbs of persons with hand amputations. Ohio State Uiversity. Columbus, Ohio. sharon.flinn@osumc.edu |
| 2008 | Raviniran Appuni BSPT, CHT Optimizing therapy dosage and use of hydrotherapy following rotator cuff repair; randomized, factorial study. |
| 2002 | Caroline Jansen PhD, PT Symptom-focused Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. |
| 1992 | Aviva Wolff, OTR, EdD, CHT Planning and execution of grasp in children with hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York |
Tri-Alliance Grant Honoring ASHT Founders
| 2025 |
Principal Investigator: Saurabh Mehta, PT, PhD, GCS |
| 2024 |
Holly Flanagan, BS, MSOT, OTRL, CL. |
| 2019 | Aviva Wolff, EdD, OT, CHT, for her project entitled “Effects of an Education and Prevention Program on Reducing Upper Extremity Injury in Musicians.” |
| 2016 | Neha Dewan PT, PhD Candidate and Joy MacDermid, PT, PhD. “Home safety leading to bone safety: Validation and feasibility testing for using GoPro video- technology to assess home fall risk in women following distal radius fracture”. |
| Folarin Babatunde PT, PhD Candidate, also McMaster University, mentored by Joy MacDermid, for the project “Physiotherapist-delivered internet-based behavior change intervention (i-bci) for managing psychosocial problems after a distal radius fracture: a pilot and feasibility study.” | |
| 2015 | Karen Harpster, OT. Co-PI: Jenny Dorich. OT Improving hand function using a McKie thumb splint or kinesiology tape for thumb‐in‐palm deformity in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study. |
| 2014 | Shawn C. Roll, PhD, OTR/L, , CWCE, RMSK, PI, David Black, PhD, Janice D. Rocker, MS, OTR/L, CHT, Aimee Aguillon, OTR/L, CHT: “Effects of Mind-Body Interventions on Stress, Anxiety, and Pain in Hand Therapy Patients |
| 2013 | Sam Leitkam, MS (PhD Candidate), Tamara Reid Bush, MS, PhD and Jeanine Beasley, EdD, OTR, CHT, FAOTA: Concurrent Validity of Goniometric and 3D Motion Ann M Lucado, PT, PhD, CHT Scapular Muscle Strength and Activity in Recreational Tennis Players with Lateral Epicondylalgia.Capture Measurements of the Hand and their Effects on a Model of Finger Functionality for Clinical Assessment. |
Joint AFSH and AHTF Collaborative Research Grant
| Year | Title | PIs |
| 2025 |
Assessing Thumb Stability During Key Pinch: A Pilot Study of a Novel Test |
Nicole Hoover, MS, OTR, CHT, and Jessica Hanley, MD. |
| 2024 |
At-Home VR for Phantom Limb Pain: Optimizing Targeted Brain Rehabilitation Therapy |
R. Glenn Gaston, MD, Marcie Siebert, OTR/L, CHT |
| 2023 | Physical and Mental Health Service Delivery in Pediatric Hand Surgery and Therapy | Emily S. Ho, BScOT, MEd, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Kristen M. Davidge, MD, MSc, FRCSC |
| 2022 | Evaluation of Patient & Family Treatment Goals for Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury | Jenny Dorich, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, CHT, Roger Cornwall, MD |
| 2021 | Standardizing Thumb Arthritis Therapy (START) | Kenneth Means, Jr., MD, Caitlin Murphy, OT, CHT, Aviram Giladi, MS, MD |
| 2014 | The First Dorsal Interosseous: A Dynamic Stabilizer Of The Radially Subluxed Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint? | Corey McGee, PhD, CHT, Virginia O'Brien, OT, CHT, Sara Van Nortwick, MD, Julie Adams, MD, Ann Van Heest, MD |
AOTF-ASHT-AHTF Hand in Hand
| Year | Title |
Pls |
| 2025 | Mas Fuerte (Stronger): Exploring the Role of Spanish-Language Video Education in Distal Radius Fracture Recovery | Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, and mentor Roger Ideishi, JD, OT/L, FAOTA (GWU) |
Scholarships
Janet Albrecht Memorial Scholarship
| Year | Janet Albrecht Memorial Scholarship (created 2019) |
| 2025 | Victoria Delgado, OT |
| 2024 | Holly Flanagan, BS, MSOT, OTRL, CL. |
| 2023 | Rebecca J. Zorn, MS, OTR/L |
| 2022 | Andrew Naylor, OTR/L |
| 2019 | Danielle Stairs, MS, OTR/L – preparation to sit Hand Therapy Certification Examination. |
EVELYN MACKIN TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
| Year | Mackin Travel Grant (created 2005) |
| 2024 | Aviva Wolff, EdD, OT, CHT. "Healing Hands: Advanced Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Training in War-Torn Areas.”" |
| 2023 | Nathan Short, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, for "Equipping Ukrainian Therapists in Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation" |
| 2013 | Jane Fedorczyk, PT, PhD, CHT, ATC, Guatamala; Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University. |
| 2011 | Jennifer Frydle OTR/LCHT. Education exchange in Peru. Oregon Health and Science University. Portland Oregon. |
| 2009 | Elizabeth Mayland MS, OTR, CHT-Loyola University Medical Ctr. Tendon transfers for tetraplegia. Fund with conditions |
| 2009 | Gail Groth OTR, CHT, PhD student, University of Wisconsin Madison. Heighten awareness of international hand therapy practice, flexor tendon rehabilitation. Fund with conditions. |
| 2007 | Susan Blackmore, MS, OTR/L, CHT Surgicorps Trip to Equador, South America |
| 2005 | Debby Schwartz, OTR, CHT Hands Across the Water, A trip to Norway and London. |
AHTF Orthotics Educational Scholarship
| Year | Scholarship |
| 2025 | Linda Parocua and Kyla Salisbury |
| 2024 | Anna Gray, PT. |
| 2023 | Maya N. Bell, M.Ed.,OTD,OTR/L. Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy |
Mary Kasch Scholarship
| Year | Scholarship |
| 2025 | Michelle Hauprich, OTR/L |
| 2024 | Elizabeth Levens |
| 2023 | Oliver Dela Rosa |
| 2022 | Tarannum Siddiqui |
| 2021 | Amber Opitz |
| 2020 | Katherine Siwy |
| 2019 | Ashley Coudron DeCo |
| 2018 | Chavi Perelman |
| 2017 | Sarah DiDomenico Ogburn |
| 2016 | Brocha Stern |
| 2015 | Marti Simpson |
| 2014 | Julie To |
| 2013 | Karen Heap |
GRANTS
Supporting novice or experienced researchers who are able to expand the scientific evidence, visibility, and quality of upper extremity and hand rehabilitation.
DONATIONS
Support our mission of promoting high impact clinical and fundamental upper extremity research. Your generosity makes a difference! Support your profession through a tax‑deductible gift today.