Our Team

Andrew J. Nelson, MD
Richard L. Manzo, MD
Donna Pepe, OTR/L, CHT
Janet Lisak, MOT, OTR/L, CHT
Sharyn Hampton, OTR/L
Kirsten Lebo Talusan, MS, OTR/L
What is a Hand Surgeon?
What does it take to obtain the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQ?)
What is an Occupational Therapist?
What is a Hand Therapist?
What does it take to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT?)
Alphabet Soup

Our medical team includes both highly trained orthopaedic surgeons and specialized occupational hand therapists. In addition to their training as orthopaedic surgeons, our physicians have also completed additional specialty or fellowship training in hand surgery. Our physicians are either eligible for or have obtained their "Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery" by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Our occupational hand therapy team is comprised of licensed occupational therapists that have a combined 60 years of experience in hand therapy. Our hand therapists are either eligible for or have achieved their advanced certification in hand therapy (Certified Hand Therapist, CHT.)

Andrew J. Nelson, MD

• Medical Certifications and Associations
  • Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery 1995 and Re-certified in 2006
  • Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Hand Surgery administered by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery 2001 and recertified in 2006
  • Licensed by the State of Connecticut
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (FAAOS)
  • Member American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
  • Member American Medical Association (AMA)
  • Member CT State Medical Society
  • Member CT Orthopaedic Society
• Military Service: Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, Charleston, SC
• Honors and Awards
  
  • CT Magazine Top Docs 2009
  • CT Magazine Top Surgeons 2007
  • CT Magazine Top Docs 2003
  • CT Magazine Top Docs 2001
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Boston University Chapter
• Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI
  • Medical Doctorate (M.D.) Boston University, Boston, MA
  • Surgical Internship, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Boston, MA
  • Orthopedic Surgical Residency, Boston University, Boston, MA
  • Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship, Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI
• Special Medical Interests
  • Simple and Complex Hand and Wrist Trauma and Fractures
  • Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery
  • Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Surgery
  • Wrist Arthroscopy

Back to top

Richard L. Manzo, MD

• Medical Certifications and Associations
  • Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery 2009
  • Eligible for the Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery administered by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery
  • Licensed by the State of Connecticut
  • Candidate Member American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • Candidate Member American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)
  • Member CT Orthopaedic Society
• Honors and Awards
  • Cavazos Award 2006; Most outstanding resident/teacher University of Connecticut Orthopaedic surgery residency
• Education
  • Bachelor of Arts in History, with Honors, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
  • Medical Doctorate (M.D.) University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
  • Surgical Internship, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
  • Orthopedic Surgical Residency, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
  • Hand/Upper-extremity Fellowship, Tufts-New England Medical Center/New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
• Special Medical Interests
  • Simple and Complex Hand and Wrist Trauma and Fractures
  • Open and Arthroscopic Surgery of the Shoulder
  • Open and Arthroscopic Surgery of the Elbow
  • Complex Fracture Care of the Upper and Lower Extremity

Back to top

Donna Pepe, OTR/L, CHT

• Hand and Occupational Therapy Certifications and Associations
  • Certified in Hand Therapy in 1997 by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission; re-certified in 2002 and 2007
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 2002 by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 1987 by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board
  • Licensed by the State of Connecticut
  • Member American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
  • Member American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
• Teaching
  • National speaker on topics of hand therapy and therapeutic electrical modalities
  • Former adjunct faculty in Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT and Briarwood College, Southington, CT
• Special Medical Interests
  • Custom Splint/Cast Fabrication
  • Biofeedback and Electrical Modalities
  • Lecturing and Teaching

Back to top

Janet Lisak, MOT, OTR/L, CHT

• Hand & Occupational Therapy Certifications and Associations
  • Certified in Hand Therapy in 1991 and Re-certified in 2006 by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 2002 and Re-certified in 2008 by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 1978 by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board
  • Licensed by the States of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey
  • Member American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Education
  • Masters of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX
  • Bachelor of Science in Education & Social Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
• Teaching
  • Entry-level Masters program in Occupational Therapy, Rush University, Chicago, IL
  • Entry-level Masters programs, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL
  • Entry-level Masters programs, Richard Stockton College, Pomona, NJ
• Special Medical Interests
  • Lecturing and Teaching
  • Nerve Injuries
  • Replantation and revascularization of injuries

Back to top

Sharyn Hampton, OTR/L

• Hand and Occupational Therapy Certifications and Associations
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 1985 by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board
  • Licensed by the State of Connecticut
  • Member American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
  • Member American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT
• Special Medical Interests
  • Traumatic Wrist Fractures and Reconstruction
  • Comprehensive Wound Management
  • Finger Fractures and Splinting

Back to top

Kirsten Lebo Talusan, MS, OTR/L

• Hand and Occupational Therapy Certifications and Associations
  • Certified in Occupational Therapy in 2006 by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
  • Licensed by the State of Connecticut
  • Member American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)
  • Member American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Education
  • Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy, Tufts University, Medford, MA
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
• Research
  • Research Fellowship, Positive Emotion and Resilience to Trauma 2001-2003, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, funded by the National Science Foundation
• Special Medical Interests
  • Hand and Elbow Trauma
  • Custom Splinting
  • Pediatric Hand Injuries

Back to top

What is a Hand Surgeon?

Hand Surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessels of the hand and upper extremity including the shoulder. Hand and upper extremity surgeons have received specialized additional training in the treatment of hand and upper extremity problems in addition to their board certified specialty training in orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery. Hand and upper extremity surgeons are eligible to become members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, after they have completed a full year of Hand Surgery fellowship training and must pass a rigorous certifying examination. About 70% of Hand Surgeons are Orthopedic Surgeons first and about 30% are Plastic Surgeons first.

Not all problems treated by a hand or orthopaedic surgeon need surgery. Our surgeons follow a "ladder of treatment" approach with each patient and all diagnoses. This step-wise approach may include such non-surgical treatments as rest, medication, splints, occupational or physical therapy, and injections. Our combined goal is to get our patients back to their optimal functioning using surgical options only when necessary.

Back to top

What does it take to obtain the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQ?)

• You must complete a Medical or Osteopathic Doctoral Degree at an accredited college or university.
• You must be a diplomat of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery or similar Board for Plastics or General Surgery.
• You must have satisfactorily completed an accredited, one-year fellowship in Surgery of the Hand.
• You must have been in the active practice of surgery of the hand for at least two years and currently have privileges in Hand Surgery at an accredited hospital or surgical facility.
• You must be currently licensed to practice medicine in the United States or Canada.
• You must demonstrate professional competence and adherence to acceptable ethical and professional standards.
• You must submit a list of at least 125 surgical cases of Surgery of the Hand from a recent one year period.
• You must take and pass a specialty board exam that is offered only once a year by a specialty board such as the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Once you are certified, you must re-certify every ten years, showing you are still practicing in good standing and have maintained advanced continuing education in the area of hand and upper extremity surgery.

Back to top

What is an Occupational Therapist?

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. Therapists provide skilled treatment that helps individuals regain function with the daily activities that are necessary for independent and satisfying lives.

Occupational therapists currently enter the field with a masters, or doctoral degree. An occupational therapy assistant earns an associate degree and works under the direction and supervision of an occupational therapist.

Practitioners must complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of health care settings, and pass a national examination to earn certification to practice. To maintain this certification, practitioners must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education hours every 3 years.

Most states also regulate occupational therapy practice through licensure. Connecticut licensure requires therapists to complete a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing education each 2 year recertification cycle.

Back to top

What is a Hand Therapist?

A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist who, through advanced study, specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity. Approximately 80% of hand therapists are occupational therapists.

The therapist's high degree of specialization requires continuing education and, often, advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.

Back to top

What does it take to become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT?)

• You must complete a Master's Degree in either Occupational or Physical Therapy at an accredited college or university.
• You must complete a minimum of five years in practice as an occupational therapist or physical therapist.
• You must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of direct patient experience treating hand injuries or diagnoses, in the five years prior to taking a specialty board examination.
• You must be currently licensed to practice in your field.
• You must take and pass a specialty board exam that is offered only once a year by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.
• Once you are certified, you must re-certify every five years, showing you are still practicing in good standing and have accumulated a minimum of 80 hours of advanced continuing education in the area of hand rehabilitation.

Back to top

Alphabet Soup

Back to top