On this episode of Hands in Motion, we are joined by Thomas Berger — the recipient of the 2024 American Association for Hand Surgery Vargas International Hand Therapy Teaching Award. As a recipient of this prestigious award, Thomas traveled to Guatemala to provide hand therapy services, as well as educate local occupational and physical therapists on upper extremity rehabilitation. Thomas shares with us his experience serving in Guatemala and the support he received from AAHS.

Guest Bio: Thomas Berger, DPT, CHT, is a physical therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. He works at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL in the hand and upper limb clinic collaborating with a team of physicians and advanced practice providers. Thomas also serves as faculty for the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency at Mayo Clinic Florida, where he delivers annual education focused on the upper extremity.

Thomas has shared his expertise at both national and international forums, including the annual meetings of American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) and American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Thomas is the recipient of the AAHS 2023 Vargas Award, which he was honored to use for a medical mission trip withGuatemala Healing Hands Foundation. He presently holds positions on the ASHT Nominations Committee and the AAHS Vargas Committee.

The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.

While in Washington, DC for the IFSSH and IFSHT Triennial Congress, Stephanie and Cara had the pleasure of sitting down with Lisa Newington, a physiotherapist and hand therapist from London to discuss sustainability and the efforts that the UK is taking toward this. Lisa shares with us how their medical system is addressing sustainability and how we as hand therapists can do our part when treating our patients.

Guest Bio: Lisa joined the Barts Bone and Joint Health team in September 2023. She is an ac-credited hand therapist (British Association of Hand Therapists) and has combined research and clinical practice throughout her career. Lisa continues to work clinically at Barts Health NHS Trust, having previously worked as an advanced practice hand therapist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust.

She is involved in national and international hand therapy research and mentors re-search active allied health professionals through NIHR and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy mentorship schemes.

Lisa was recently appointed to the Scientific Committee of the European Federation for Societies of Hand Therapy (EFSHT) and has previously chaired the British Association of Hand Therapists Clinical Evidence Committee. Lisa is a Deputy Director for the London Centre for Work and Health and an Editorial Board Member for the journal Hand Therapy.

Lisa completed her PhD at the MRC Life course Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton through an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship (2016-2019) and held a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship with Imperial Biomedical Research Centre and Imperial Health Charity (2020-2023).

The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.

In this episode, we are joined by Stacey Doyon, President-Elect of the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy. Stacey shares with us information about IFSHT, their mission and how they are connecting upper extremity therapists across the globe. We also briefly discuss the upcoming IFSSH-IFSHT Triennial Congress being held March 24-28, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Silent Auction Link: https://ifsht.org/awards_grants/silent-auction/

Guest Bio: I have served on the board of the American Society of Hand Therapists from 1999-2008 which includes the following positions: Past president (2008), President (2007), President Elect (2006), Vice President (2005), Director of Advocacy (2004), Secretary/Treasurer (2003), Secretary/Treasurer elect (2002), Division Director of Alliances (2001), Division Director of Member Services (2000) and Board Member at Large (1999-2000). From 2008-2010 I was the Chairperson for the 2010 International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy, for the American Society of Hand Therapists. In 2011 I became a board member for the Hand Therapy certification Commission holding the position of Treasurer in 2017-2024. I was a committee member since from 2006-2024. I have also served on several committees for IFSHT which include the finance committee for 2007, 2018-2019, Abstract review committee for 2013 and 2016 and then the nominations committee in 2016. In 2019-2022 I was Treasurer for IFSHT and in 2022-present I became President-Elect. I will go on to be President of IFSHT at the end of the Triennial congress in Washington DC 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.