The Hand Therapy Fellowship at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush is designed to provide advanced clinical training, professional development, and leadership skills in occupational therapy. Fellows will gain extensive hands-on experience, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to academic and clinical education, preparing them to become leaders in the field of hand therapy.
Goal: Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills throughout the patient’s continuum of care from evaluation to discharge.
The fellow will synthesize protocols to establish priorities when developing a plan of care for complex hand trauma patients.
The fellow will direct patient care plans to meet goals and optimize outcomes aligned with MOR’s mission of excellence in orthopedic care.
Goal: Demonstrate effective communication with a multidisciplinary team to provide complete and holistic care.
The fellow will clearly and confidently communicate with hand surgeons and staff to obtain patient information, update progress, and adapt interventions when necessary.
Goal: Demonstrate proficiency in advanced occupational therapy skills specific to hand therapy.
The fellow will apply skills learned in each module to accurately evaluate and implement effective occupation-based treatments across diverse diagnoses and patient populations.
Goal: Demonstrate mastery of fellowship content to advance the field of hand therapy.
The fellow will teach concepts such as fracture and tendon care, orthosis fabrication, and modalities to RUSH OTD students.
Goal: Demonstrate proficiency as an educator and mentor in occupational therapy.
Fellow will lecture to RUSH OTD students, mentor practicum students, and lead journal clubs with evidence-based discussions.
Goal: Adhere to the 2025 AOTA Code of Ethics and Core Values (Altruism, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Dignity, Truth, Prudence, Advocacy).
The fellow will complete monthly ethical reflections and consistently demonstrate ethical decision-making in clinical practice.
Goal: Acquire the experience and skills required for the HTCC Certified Hand Therapy Examination.
Fellow will track and log approximately 2,000 fellowship hours, contributing toward the 4,000 required for the CHT exam.
Goal: Utilize and apply evidence-based practices in clinical care.
The fellow will conduct literature reviews and appraisals to inform and implement OT evaluations and treatments.