Two of our occupational therapists recently were recertified as Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) in our Hands Clinic. Through their dedication to significant advanced related continuing education and the rigors of direct experience in Hand therapy, Kimberly and John recently met the requirements for recertification through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc., (HTCC), which recertifies them as CHT’s for another 5 years.

We are so proud of our therapist’s accomplishments! Here is the press release from the HTCC:

Kimberly Alquist, OTR/L, CHT, and John Artman, OTR/L, CHT, renew credentials as an expert in upper limb rehabilitation.

Working with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is beneficial to patients, physicians.

Bothell, WA – 12/22/2015 – People value the use of their hands; therefore any loss of function through injury or disease can devastate lives. A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) offers the public assurance that the therapist treating them has achieved the highest recognition of competency in the profession. Kimberly Alquist and John Artman of Bothell Pediatric and Hand Therapy has renewed the distinguished CHT designation after completing all requirements in December 2015.

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc., (HTCC), the recognized specialist in hand therapy certification worldwide, is proud to announce that Kimberly Alquist has renewed her credential as a Certified Hand Therapist and John Artman has renewed his credential as a Certified Hand Therapist. John has been credentialed since 1993 after meeting strict eligibility requirements and passing the rigorous Hand Therapy Certification Examination. Certification is granted for five years. In order to renew and maintain this certification at the end of the five-year period, CHTs must demonstrate current knowledge in the profession through work experience and professional development activities, or by taking the examination again. There are approximately 5600 individuals worldwide that hold this marked designation.

According to Dr. Roy Meals, a hand surgeon at UCLA, many physicians direct patients to Certified Hand Therapists to ensure good results after hand surgery. Dr. Meals says, “Treatment of most hand conditions requires modulation of scar tissue. The good news is that scar sticks tissue together; the bad news is that scar sticks tissue together. The hand is such a compact structure that the margin between good and bad may only be the thickness of a few collagen fibers. The only way for a surgeon to look good in this scenario is to enlist a Certified Hand Therapist to oversee the modulation. CHTs are entirely familiar with the diseases and injuries that I treat. CHTs efficiently and effectively manage my patients’ hand rehabilitation.”

Kimberly is an occupational therapist at Bothell Pediatric and Hand Therapy as well as the owner. She has over 20 years of experience in pediatric occupational therapy and with hand therapy in both the pediatric and adult populations.

John is an occupational therapist at Bothell Pediatric and Hand Therapy. He has almost 30 years of experience in occupational therapy. John first became CHT certified in 1993.

For additional information on Certified Hand Therapists, contact:
Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc.
1337 Howe Avenue, Suite 230 Sacramento, CA 95825-3397
Toll Free Phone: (800) 860-7097

For additional information on Kimberly or John, contact:
Bothell Pediatric and Hand Therapy
18606 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
Phone: (425) 892-2243 Email: office@bpht.com