President: Julie Brody, MS, OTR/L, CHT


Julie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania in 1993. She returned for her Post-professional Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy  from Boston University in 2006. Julie attained the Certified Hand therapist (CHT) credential in 2008. Julie spent five years as a travel therapist, and she was able to see much of the United States as well as experience practicing in everything from acute/subacute care, burn center, spinal cord injury program, home health, public schools, and early intervention. It was during her travel experiences that she had her first opportunity to work in hand therapy, and found her clinical niche. Professionally, she enjoys manual therapy, splinting, and problem-solving complex cases. She has also been a mentor to junior therapists, COTAs and students, throughout her career.  She currently works with Select Medical in Burke, Virginia. Outside of the office, she enjoys yoga, running, reading, good food and craft beer, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. She has served on the CHTA Board since 2021

Treasurer: Stephanie Katz, OTR/L, CHT


Stephanie Katz is an occupational therapist, and recently certified hand therapist. She obtained a dual bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From there, she went on to pursue her master’s degree in occupational therapy at New York University. She was offered a full time position during her last clinical rotation at George Washington University Hospital and has been working in the outpatient rehab department since graduating in 2019. She is now pursuing a doctoral degree in health science at GW as well as working as a lab instructor for the new GW OTD program. In her (limited) spare time, you can find her behind a pottery wheel, at the pickleball courts, or walking her German shepherd, Gatsby. Stephanie joined the CHTA Board in 2023

Education Chair: Sarah Doerrer, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT 

Dr. Sarah Doerrer PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT graduated with her Masters in OT in 2001 from Misericordia University and her PhD in OT in 2019 from Nova Southeastern University. She is currently an assistant professor at George Washington University. She is a certified hand therapist and certified lymphedema therapist. Dr. Doerrer serves on the research division of the American Society of Hand Therapists and is the incoming research division chair and serves as the education chair for the Capital Hand Therapy Association. She has received two foundation grants for her dissertation research “The Impact of Shoulder Pathology on Individuals with Distal Radius Fracture. More recently Dr. Doerrer received a grant from the American Hand Foundation for her clinical trial “Impact of Early ADL Participation on Functional Outcomes Post Distal Radius Fracture”. Dr. Doerrer is also a co-investigator on a Department of Education Disability Innovation Fund grant. Dr. Doerrer has had multiple publications in the Journal of Hand Therapy and is a reviewer for the Journal of Hand Therapy, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and OT Journal of Research.
 

Capstone Student/Student Liaison: Rachel Metts, OTS 

​​

Education and Member Engagement Committee: Angelina Romano Chilcoat, OTR/L, CHT, AIPCC

Angelina is an occupational therapist (OTR/L), certified hand therapist (CHT), and Autoimmune Protocol Certified Coach (AIPCC) with 29 years of clinical experience, including 14 years specializing in hand therapy. She has worked extensively in hospital-based rehabilitation settings and has developed occupational therapy service lines for multiple programs, including Sinai Hospital of Baltimore’s Aging Surgeon Program, Emerging from Chronic Pain Program, and the Rehabilitation Institute at Sinai Hospital’s Hand Therapy Program. Angelina is a dynamic educator, teaching occupational and physical therapists nationwide on hand therapy through the lenses of pain neuroscience and lifestyle- based interventions. She contributes to the Autoimmune Protocol Certified Coach training program and regularly speaks locally on pain, nutrition as a lifestyle intervention, upper-extremity rehabilitation, and orthotic fabrication. Her paper, “Hiding in Plain Sight: A Provider’s Educational Guide to Recognizing Ulnar Nerve Compression,” is in press for publication in the Journal of Hand Therapy. Angelina is honored to serve on the Capital Hand Therapy Association board and is passionate about advancing engagement, education and collaboration within the hand therapy community.

​​

Kathleen Albert MS, OTR/L, CHT, WCC

Kathleen Albert MS, OTR/L, CHT, WCC graduated in 2003 with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New England.  She began her career at the University of Maryland Medical Center and quickly developed a passion for hand therapy, earning her CHT credential in 2008.  Kathleen has practiced in both inpatient and outpatient upper extremity rehabilitation for over twenty years.  Presently, she works at Medstar Health in Baltimore and the surrounding areas.  As an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), she currently serves on the Education Division and has previously contributed as a mentor.  She has presented on various hand therapy cases with the UE Institute, and most recently taught a virtual course on flexor tendon rehabilitation with Exploring Hand Therapy.  In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with CRAB and the SPCA, sailing, skiing, and travelling with her husband and two teenagers.  

​

Education and Member Engagement Committee: Shannon Loiseau, OTD, OTR/L

Shannon Loisau is a hand therapist with Inova at the Sportsplex location in Alexandria–Springfield. She earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from The George Washington University in May 2025. Originally from Vermont, she spent part of her childhood in France and has lived in Washington, DC since moving to the area for graduate school, where she is happy to call home. She has a strong interest in sports-related upper extremity injuries, informed by her experience playing collegiate basketball, and is passionate about upper extremity rehabilitation and engagement in the local hand therapy community.

​

Member Engagement Committee: Sarah Druckman, OTD, OTR/L 

Sarah Druckman, OTD, OTR/L is a new graduate OT practicing in Montgomery County, MD. Originally from Stamford, CT Sarah moved to Washington, DC in 2016 to study Exercise Science and Dance and George Washington University. Little did she know that a few years later, she would return to GW as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. As a former dancer and fitness instructor, Sarah has always been passionate about finding joy in movement. In her current role as an OT, she is able to combine her fitness background with her knowledge and training in orthopedic conditions and interventions. You will typically find her cheering for her clients as they conquer challenging exercises or meet their short and long-term goals throughout the course of treatment. 

​