Rusk Rehabilitation

Course Description
Custom orthotic fabrication can be a difficult skill to master. It is not only a science, but an art that requires time, patience and practice. Clinicians must understand the theoretical principles of orthotic fabrication as well as develop an expertise in its application. They must develop an understanding of the appropriate use of a variety of materials as they customize the orthosis to fit each individual and unique hand. This lecture series is designed for OTs and PTs with minimal to no experience fabricating orthoses.

The goal of this course is to gain an understanding of common diagnoses of the hand, wrist and elbow including tendinopathies, neuropathies, fractures, and ligament injuries, as well as to develop basic skills in orthotic fabrication for these diagnoses.

The lectures will integrate both physician and therapist perspectives when it comes to managing these basic conditions.
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Course Format
On-demand/Self-Study

Learner Level
Introductory

Target Audience
This is a beginner-level course designed for Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physical Therapy Assistants.

Educational Objectives
At the completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Identify and discuss basic considerations for the treatment of common upper extremity conditions as well as the implication on occupational performance
• Discuss the purpose and rationale for orthotic application for common diagnoses of the upper extremity
• Explain theoretical principles of orthotic fabrication as well as the appropriate use of a variety of materials

Agenda | Self-Study

Exploring the Upper Extremity: Anatomy and Biomechanical Considerations for Function Kevin Chen, OTR/L, CHT

Hands-On: A Close Look at the Examination and Management of Hand Conditions Omri Ayalon, MD

Getting a Grip on Treatment of the Hand Jessica Emberger, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Mastering the Art of the Wrist: Examination and Management Ali Azad, MD

Simplifying Treatment of the Complex Wrist Erika Schnaps, OTR/L, CHT

Flexing Your Knowledge: Elbow Examination and Management Nader Paksima, DO, MPH

Fundamentals of Elbow Treatment Aileen Gavina, PT, DPT, CHT

Improving X-ray Vision: Basics of X-ray Reading Taylor Bates, MD

Basic Splinting Principles: Pearls and Pitfalls Valerie Aziegbe, OTR/L, CHT

Speaker Bio's
Omri Ayalon, MD
Dr. Ayalon is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He received his orthopedic and specialty training at NYU and is currently the Associate Director for the Hand Surgery Fellowship at NYU. He specializes in hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder surgery, with a focus on nerve surgery, reconstructive procedures, and trauma. Additionally, he is co-director of the Center for Amputation Reconstruction and is involved in researching the outcomes of traumatic injuries to the hand and wrist.

Ali Azad, MD
Dr. Azad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Southern California and fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at NYU Langone Health. He is actively involved in research and has several publications in the area of hand and upper extremity. His areas of interest include upper extremity trauma, peripheral nerve injuries, and reconstructive microsurgery.

Valerie Aziegbe OTR/L, CHT
Valerie Aziegbe is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and Certified Office Ergonomics Evaluator (COEE). She completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy at New York University in 2019 and has worked in outpatient orthopedics since the start of her career. She currently works at NYU Langone Orthopedic Center where she specializes in treatment of the hand and upper extremity. Her clinical areas of interest include shoulder rehab, sports rehab (martial arts, boxing and rock climbing), elbow fractures and orthotic fabrication.

Taylor Bates, MD
Dr. Taylor Bates is a Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellow at NYU Langone and an active duty U.S. Air Force officer holding the rank of Major. He obtained his medical degree from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) and completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). In addition to the traditional curriculum established for orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Bates spent one year serving as the department’s liaison to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR). Research interests include orthopaedic trauma, limb reconstruction, amputee optimization, and musculoskeletal infections.

Kevin Chen, OTR/L, CHT
Kevin Chen is a senior Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) at NYU Langone Orthopedic Center where he specializes in upper extremity orthopedic rehabilitation. Kevin works collaboratively with NYU Langone Health’s hand surgeons to provide custom fabricated splints for post-operative and non-operative patients. He has supervised multiple Occupational Therapy fieldwork students, and has presented on various hand therapy topics on both national and local levels including NYU Langone Orthopedic Comprehensive Webinar Series: Compressive Neuropathies.

Jessica Emberger, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Jessica is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) at NYU Langone Health. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Studies as well as her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She received her Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University in which her culminating thesis was a handbook on best evidence for orthotic fabrication. She has a research study published entitled "Hand Function Following Simulated Fusion of Thumb Metacarpophalangeal and Interphalangeal Joints" and has presented on numerous topics both nationally and locally including best evidence for orthotic fabrication, Interventions for Systematic Lupus Erythematosus for Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Dysfunction, and on musculoskeletal pain in the upper quadrant in postpartum mothers who breastfeed.

Aileen Gavina, PT, DPT
Aileen Gavina is a Senior Physical Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, and Certified Office Ergonomics Evaluator. She joined the Hand Therapy Department at NYU Langone Orthopedic Center in 2019, where she specializes in the treatment of patients with orthopedic upper extremity conditions. She is fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation at the University of Rochester in upstate New York. She has done several departmental presentations on various hand therapy topics and currently presents on the topic of Non-Operative Orthopedic Shoulder Rehabilitation to fieldwork OT students and new hires several times per year. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rutgers University and her doctorate in physical therapy from Drexel University in Philadelphia. She holds certifications in myofascial release, myofascial decompression, Graston technique, blood flow restriction training, Kinesio Taping, and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA).

Nader Paksima, DO, MPH
Dr. Paksima is Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Associate Chief of the Hand and Upper Extremity Division at NYU Langone Orthopedic Department. He received his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Masters of Public Health at Harvard University, did his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Ohio University in Dayton, Ohio and completed fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases Program. He is former Chairman of the Orthopedic Surgery Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and has been an active member of the staff at Jamaica Hospital and NYU Orthopedic Program since 1998 where he teaches residents and fellows and practices Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.

Erika Schnaps, OTR/L, CHT
Erika is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) at NYU Langone Health. She completed a fellowship in hand therapy at Hospital for Special Surgery and specializes in treating patients with a variety of orthopedic diagnoses of the upper extremity. She received her Bachelor’s Degrees in Occupational Therapy and Neuroscience as well as her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. Erika has presented on hand therapy concepts at NYU Langone’s 2018 Hand Surgery Update and at NYU Splinting courses in 2019 and 2022. She is the Senior Clinical Instructor for the hand therapy department and is a Certified Office Ergonomic Evaluator (COEE). Erika is also the splinting lab instructor for level II OT fieldwork students as well as new employees several times per year.

SPEAKERS
Course Director
Laura Welsh, OT/L, CHT

Content Planners
Eugene Gersh, OTR/L, CHT
James Koo, PT, DPT

NYU Langone Health Faculty
Omri Ayalon, MD
Ali Azad, MD
Valerie Aziegbe, OTR/L, CHT
Kevin Chen, OTR/L, CHT
Jessica Emberger, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Aileen Gavina, PT, DPT, CHT
Nader Paksima, MD
Erika Schnaps, OTR/L, CHT

Program Coordinator
Krystal Pearce, MBA
Senior Program Coordinator
Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health
Krystal.Pearce@nyulangone.org

Accreditation & Credit Designation
Occupational Therapy
NYU Langone Health is an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) approved provider for occupational therapy practitioners. This course is approved for a maximum of 4.5 CEUs. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.



Physical Therapy
NYU Langone Health is a New York State Education Department approved provider for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This course is approved for a maximum of 4.5 physical therapy/physical therapy assistant contact hours. The following states require continuing education units with no state-specific approval: CT, IA, ID, MO, ND, and WA.

Special Needs
Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health, in compliance with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that any participant of this educational activity who is in need of accommodation, submit a written request to Krystal.Pearce@nyulangone.org at least two weeks prior to the course start date.

Refund Policy
In order to request a refund you must email Krystal.Pearce@nyulangone.org.

Course Cancellation Policy
If a live course is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, or any other reason, Rusk Rehabilitation will refund registration fees in full. Rusk Rehabilitation will provide at least two weeks’ advance notice if cancelling due to insufficient enrollment and as soon as possible in all other circumstances. Rusk Rehabilitation is not responsible for any non-cancellable costs incurred by the registrant.

In the unlikely event that a recorded course is cancelled/not available on-demand for the specified period as advertised, the registration fee will be refunded in full.

Contact Information
Krystal Pearce, MBA
Senior Program Coordinator
Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health
Krystal.Pearce@nyulangone.org