Hand Therapy Conference – Speakers and Planning Committee

Jean Christiansen, OTR/L CLT, is an Occupational Therapist at TRIA. Jean obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Therapy from Saint Catherine’s University. She has more than 30 years’ experience treating a variety of neurological, hand and lymphedema patients.

Sarah Joy DiDomenico, MS, OTR/L, CHT, WCC, is a Certified Hand Therapist and Wound Care Specialist in Richmond, Virginia. Sarah obtained a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology before completing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She received a Wound Care Certificate through the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy and a certificate in Hand Therapy through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. She is currently a member of American Society of Hand Therapists, National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy and the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association.

Erin Hanrahan, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, is a Certified Hand Therapist at TRIA. Erin obtained a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University before completing a Master of Education from Iowa State University as well as a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Minnesota. Erin is also an Epic Superuser.

Scott N. Loewenstein, MD, is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, and a Surgeon in the Department of Plastic & Hand Surgery HealthPartners Medical Group and Clinics. Dr. Loewenstein obtained a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, followed by a Certificate of Pathology from The University of Toledo College of Medicine while completing a Medical Degree at the same school. He then went on to complete an Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency from Indiana and Fellowship in combined orthopedic and plastic hand and microsurgery from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Loewenstein is a member of ACAPS, AAHS, ASPN, PSRC, ASPS, and ASAPS. He has 77 publications, including abstracts.

Ashish Mahajan, MD, FACS, is the Chair of Plastic and Hand Surgery at Regions Hospital. He is also a surgeon at HCMC. Dr. Mahajan obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, a Medical Degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed Residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and finally a Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery from Bucke Clinic. Dr. Mahajan is currently a member of ASSH, AAHS, ASRM, ACS, ACEPS, ASPS, MSPS. He has 9 publications.

Mary Pat Noonan, PhD, ABPP, LP, is a Psychologist at HealthPartners Pain Management Clinic at HealthPartners Neuroscience Center. Dr. Noonan obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the University of St. Thomas, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Alliant University and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of South Dakota. She completed a Postdoctoral Clinical Fellowship in Medical Psychology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Noonan is currently a member of Minnesota Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, and the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Toni Peterson, OTR/L, CFCE, is an Occupational Therapist at Hutchinson Health. Toni obtained a Bachelor of Science in Community Service from Bemidji State University and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota. She is currently a member of Champion Connection.

Logan B. Pewitt, OTD, OTR/L, CHT, is a Certified Hand Therapist at Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center at Washington University in St. Louis. Logan obtained a Bachelor of Psychology from Denison University and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She is currently a member of ASHT. She has 2 publications.

Venus Vakhshori, MD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota and a Surgeon at Regions and TRIA. Dr. Vakhshori obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of California – Los Angeles, a Medical Degree from the University of Pennsylvania, completed an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the University of Southern California, and finally a Hand Surgery Fellowship from New York University. She is currently a member of ASSH. She has 10 publications.

Michael Walsh, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon at TRIA Orthopedic Center. Dr. Walsh obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota before a Medical Degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He completed a General Surgery Internship at UMN before an Orthopedic Residency from the University of Missouri Kansas City – Orthopedic Residency. Finally, he completed The Orthopedic Center Sports Medicine Fellowship and the Rothman Institute Shoulder Fellowship. He is currently a member of HealthPartners Research Institute. He has 1 publication.

Kim Waterbury, MS, OTR/L, CHT, is a Supervisor and Clinical Specialist in the Hand Therapy Department of TRIA. Kim obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College and a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a member of ASHT, ACLM, and PAMA.

Kim is a member of the 2024 Hand Therapy Conference planning committee.

Lynn Wilbur, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, is the Rehabilitation Manager and Hand Therapy and Lymphedema Program Manager at TRIA. Lynn attended both Wartburg College and Colorado State University. She is currently a member of ASHT.

Lynn is a member of the 2024 Hand Therapy Conference planning committee.

Mark Wilczynski, MD, is a surgeon at TRIA. Dr. Wilczynski obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Anthropology, a Master of Arts from the Division of Social Science at the University of Chicago, and a Medical Degree from the University of Chicago. He completed an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a Hand Surgery Fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. He is currently a member of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Candidate member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and the Emerging Leader Program American Orthopaedic Association.

Bret Yonke, MD, is a Radiology Department Chair at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Yonke obtained Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Science from St. Cloud State University before attending Northwestern University and eventually the University of Minnesota Medical School where he got his Medical Degree. Dr. Yonke completed a Transitional Internship from HCMC, a Radiology Residency from the University of Minnesota and a Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship from Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He has 4 publications.

Jennifer Young, OTR/L, CHT, is a Certified Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist at Regions Hospital. Jennifer obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from St. Benedicts and a Masters in Occupational Therapy from the University of Minnesota. She is currently a member of MOTA.

Jill Olson Moser, BM, OTR/L
TRIA / Regions Hospital

Erin Peters, OTR/L, CHT
TRIA

Lucas Richer, CHT, OTD, CEAS
TRIA

Kim Waterbury, MS, OTR/L, CHT
TRIA

Melissa Wegshied, OTR/L, CHT
TRIA

Lynn Wilbur, OTR/L, CHT, CLT
TRIA

Brittany Willis, MS, OTR/L, CHT
TRIA