KATHERINE SEXTON, OTR/L, RECEIVES NATIONAL HAND THERAPY CERTIFICATION

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. Additionally, the Certified Hand Therapist has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.

Cumberland Medical Center is pleased to announce that Katherine Sexton, OTR/L, an occupational therapist on its staff received notification in late December that she was one of only 55% of those who took the national exam in November, 2005, to pass the Hand Therapy Certification Examination and become a Certified Hand Therapist.

Hand Therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper quarter of the human body. Hand therapy is a merging of occupational therapy and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the upper quarter, body function, and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment and treatment, hand therapists promote the goals of prevention of dysfunction, restoration of function, and/or reversal of the progression of pathology in order to enhance participation in life situations for individuals with upper quarter disease or injury.

Katherine Sexton, OTR/L, CHT, is a graduate of White Station High School in Memphis, TN. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from UT Memphis in 1997 with Highest Honors. Sexton is a member of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association. She is married to Cameron Sexton, and they have two children: Nathaniel, 6, and Olivia, 4; both children attend Crossville Christian School.

“We are very proud of Katherine. This is a great achievement for her professionally in a successful completion of the examination and credentials as a Certified Hand Therapist and an asset to the hospital and the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. It enables us to progress in our ability to assist physicians and patients with their care and rehabilitation,” said Larry Meads, Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Cumberland Medical Center.

What are the benefits of working with a CHT one might ask? People value the use of their hands and any loss of function through injury or accident may have a devastating effect on their lives. Anyone with an injury wants the very best of treatment to assure maximal recovery. The Certified Hand Therapist credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and stays up to date with practice within the field. Now those with the need for a Certified Hand Therapist know that Cumberland Medical Center’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department can provide that service in addition to the vast array of rehabilitation services already offered to the community on both an inpatient and outpatient basis by the department.

For more information about Cumberland Medical Center’s Hand Therapy services, Katherine Sexton, OTR/L, CHT, or any of CMC’s Physical Rehabilitation services, please call (931) 456-7291.