Certified Hand Therapists (CHT)
All therapists practicing at Hand To Hand Occupational Therapy are Certified Hand Therapists (CHT) and demonstrate the highest level of competence through certification through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC). A CHT is an occupational therapist who has passed a comprehensive exam administered by HTCC, having a least 5 years of experience of treating conditions of the upper extremity and a minimum of 4,000 hours working in hand therapy.
CHT’s maintain their certification every 5 years by adhering to the rigorous continuing education standards.
Kate V. Smitkin
MS, OTR/L, CHT, Owner
Founder of Hand To Hand OT in 2011, Kate has been practicing in the specialty of Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for over 18 years. She received a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from The Sage Colleges, NY, and went on to earn the prestigious Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) certification in 2011. Her focus and specialty are in the Rehabilitation of Hand and Upper Extremity injuries and disorders. She has a particular interest in the Fabrication of Custom Orthotics.
Kate’s vision for Hand To Hand OT is to provide specialized, high-quality evidence-based rehabilitation services with a personal touch. She is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Kate travels across the country attending conferences and seminars in an effort to stay current with treatment techniques, cutting-edge research, and the latest in therapy trends.
She is an avid sports enthusiast including Skiing, Hiking, Golf, and Triathlon.
Allison Gifford
MS OTR/L/CHT
Allison obtained her Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy in ecember 2011 from The Sage Colleges in Troy, NY. She joined Hand to Hand OT as an occupational therapist soon after in January of 2012. After 5 years in the field she decided to take the next step in her career to earn her hand therapy certification (CHT) in May 2017.
Allison really enjoys working in a small practice as it provides an opportunity to get to know each patient individually, and follow their progress from the first visit to the last. She values being able to specialize in treatment of the complex upper extremity and likes the constant challenge it brings. She has a special appreciation for the treatment of hand injuries and one of her favorite parts of her job is fabricating custom splints.
Allison is from Queensbury, NY. When she isn’t working she spends her time with family, friends, and her dog Nala. She prefers to be outside and enjoys activities such as hiking, camping, and kayaking.
