BENNINGTON, Vt.— Michaelia St. Jacques, OTR/L, CWCE, CHT, occupational therapist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center's (SVMC) Outpatient Rehabilitation department, has completed advanced training and certification for Hand Therapy. 

 

She is now a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) with the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.  

 

"This is welcome news for our patients," said Dr. David Veltre, a hand and upper extremity specialist at SVMC Orthopedics. "The added knowledge and understanding Michaelia has undertaken through the certification means that patients are getting the most advanced hand therapy techniques available in Bennington."

 

Until St. Jacques was certified last week, local patients had to drive more than 15 miles for this specialized treatment. The next nearest therapist was more than 20 miles away. 

 

St. Jacques received her undergraduate degree in biology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She completed her masters in occupational therapy from The Sage Colleges in New York. She is a member of the National Board of Certified Occupational Therapists, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Society of Hand Therapists.

 

"My goal is to provide this important specialized care to our community, so they can spend their time doing the things they want and need to do," St. Jacques said. "As a certified hand therapist I know that I am giving my patients the best shot at recovering from their upper extremity injury."

 

Outpatient Rehabilitation Department is located in the Toolan Building on the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center campus, 120 Hospital Drive in Bennington. Those interested in more information may call 802-447-5140.