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

Vice President: Tom Stormer, PT, DPT


Tom Stormer is a physical therapist and hand therapist practicing at Great Fall Physical Therapy in Great Fall, Va. He has served on the CHTA board since 2021. He graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Marymount University in 2016. He received his Bachelors of Art in Fine Art from Christopher Newport University in 2005 and prior to becoming a physical therapist he spent several years working in graphic design, photography, and public relations. He is a native of Northern Virginia and in his free time, Tom enjoys running, strength training, hiking, and kayaking.

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

Secretary: Heather Weesner, OTR/L, CHT


Heather Weesner graduated from the University of New Hampshire and has been a CHT for 10 years and an Occupational Therapist for 20 years. She currently works for the John’s Hopkins’ Rehabilitation Network in their outpatient department and treats a variety of hand and upper extremity injuries and works as their Hand Fellowship Coordinator. She has guest lectured at the Philadelphia Hand Symposium on topics regarding pediatric upper extremity injuries and recently co-authored a book chapter on pediatric upper extremity trauma in the 7th edition of Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity. She is an active member of the ASHT’s Education Division and the chair of the Upper Extremity Institute and assists with the Webinar Committee. She also serves as ASHT’s Board Intern. When she is not volunteering for ASHT, she can be found on the soccer field coaching one of her daughters. She has served on the CHTA Board since 2024.

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

Sarah Doerrer has been a practicing clinician since 2001. Her clinical experience includes working with adults with physical disabilities in the practice areas of inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, home health, and outpatient rehabilitation. Most of her career has been focused in the area of hand and upper extremity orthopedic rehabilitation. She is a certified hand therapist and certified lymphedema therapist. As a researcher, Dr. Doerrer’s interests are in rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity. She serves on the research division of the American Hand Therapy Association and is the Chair of their journal club. Sarah currently teaches at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program (OTD) and Doctor of Health Science Programs. She has taught in both the Masters in OT and COTA programs at Trinity Washington University and has taught in the Masters in OT program at Shenandoah University. Sarah joined the CHTA Board in 2024.

Member Outreach Chair: Sydney Chervenic, OTR/L

Sydney is an Occupational Therapist looking forward to certifying as a hand therapist within the next year. Sydney graduated from Radford University with a B.S in Recreation Therapy while participating as a member of the Radford University Women’s Soccer Team. Later, Sydney attended Towson University to pursue her graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. Sydney is a current hand therapist with Select Physical Therapy working in the Alexandria and Arlington area. In her spare time, as a Northern Virginia native she enjoys Washington DC sports, good eats, and spending time with her dog and two cats. Sydney has been contributing the CHTA board since 2024.

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