JoAnn is a 1995 graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. Raised in Minnesota, she worked as an OT in Colorado, Kentucky, and Alaska prior to settling in Washington. JoAnn obtained her hand therapy certification in 2001, and received recognition for her role in a successful bid for state OT licensure changes in Kentucky in 2002. She was also a member of the Hand Transplant Team for our nation's 2nd hand transplant patient in 2002. She teaches continuing education courses and is active with two national hand therapy organizations, and enjoys giving back to the hand therapy profession in these roles.
Outside of the clinic, JoAnn enjoys hiking, skiing, horseback riding, camping and travel.
Erik graduated in 1991 from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. He completed his occupational therapy internship and first years of practice in the United States Army, where he became credentialed an Upper Extremity Neuromusculoskeletal Evaluator. Erik returned to the Seattle area in 1996 and has worked exclusively as an outpatient hand therapist since then. Erik received his hand therapy certification in 1997 and has experience in treating many upper extremity conditions such as burns, tendon repairs, fractures, and cumulative trauma injuries.
In addition to treating patients, Erik enjoys spending time with his family and playing soccer.
Erik has recently returned from an 18 month deployment in Iraq
Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science in OT from the University of Alberta in 1989 and earned her hand therapy certification in 1999. Her interest in hands developed when she worked with pediatric patients with burns or rheumatologic diseases. Michelle's expertise includes cumulative trauma, postsurgical care and patient education in ergonomics and proper body mechanics.
Michelle's love of travel has been augmented by work as a traveling therapist in a variety of North American cities.
Kerri graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In 2000, she graduated from Touro College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences and a Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy. After completing her Masters degree Kerri worked primarily in outpatient hand therapy. She received her hand therapy certification in 2005 and has experience treating various types of hand injuries such as tendon repairs, fractures, nerve lacerations, cumulative trauma injuries and shoulder injuries.
In her free time, Kerri enjoys hiking, snowboarding, kayaking, playing soccer and spending time with her yellow lab. She recently relocated from New York City to the Seattle area and is looking forward to joining the NWH team.
Katie earned her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in 2001 and worked in research before moving to Seattle in 2003. She has experience in acute and rehabilitative medicine and has spent the past two and a half years working in outpatient hand therapy. For fun, she loves spending time with her husband and friends, creative cooking, crafting, and checking out new movies, music, and local happenings.
Katie has enjoyed her time working with Northwest Hand Specialists in Seattle.
Rebecca Rainwater graduated from the University
of Puget Sound with a Master’s degree in
occupational therapy in 2000. She has gained
professional experience in outpatient clinics and
onsite at Boeing. Her interests in hand therapy
include repetitive stress injury and ergonomics. She
also enjoys fabricating splints, performing wound
care, and collaborating with patients to help them
regain the use of their hands.
Rebecca’s main passion is her family. Her hobbies
include yoga and training for triathlons.
Molly graduated in 1991 from University of Washington in Occupational Therapy. She returned to UW, and in 1999 completed an advanced Master's degree in OT with an emphasis in Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Her areas of interest are: orthopedic trauma, burns & wound anagement, repetitive stress injury prevention and treatment, and natural alternative approaches to healing.
Molly had the opportunity to travel to Nepal in 1998 & 2002, where she worked in a Leprosy Hospital. She recently returned from Japan, where she lived for one year.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys snowboarding, gardening, mountaineering, pottery, and travel.
Missi earned her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Florida in 2001. She took a special interest in hand therapy after working with people who had spinal cord injuries. She later branched out into outpatient orthopedic hand therapy and has enjoyed this setting for the past five years.
Outside of work, Missi enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, cooking, and sailing.
She is looking forward to working with the team at NW Hand in Shoreline.
See bio in Seattle section
Jackie is a 1989 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She obtained her hand therapy certification in 1999. Jackie moved here from Wisconsin and specializes in traumatic hand injuries, wrist injuries, wound care, and cumulative trauma injuries.
Important items in Jackie's personal life include being involved in her church, keeping in contact with her family who is spread all over the U.S., and enjoying Seattle's beautiful weather.
See bio in Everett section
Edwin D. Vyhmeister MD, C. Hendrik Kirchhoff MD and Harold J. Kirkpatrick MD - Providing services in hand and wrist injury surgery, tennis elbow and shoulder therapy and tendinitis treatment to the areas of Everett and Seattle, Washington.
Seattle Rotator Cuff Tear Treatment
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