On this episode, we are joined by Kimberly Masker, an occupational therapist and certified hand therapy, and Tauni Bird, also an occupational therapist who have been researching and educating others on treating patients in the context of substance use.  They share with us what substance use disorder is, the stigma that surrounds these patients, and what we as hand therapists can do to mitigate that stigma and provide harm reduction.  Welcome to Hands in Motion, Kim and Tauni.

Guest bio: Kimberly Masker, OTD, OTR/L, CHT received her undergraduate degree from ETSU in 1995, her Master’s in OT degree from Washington University in 2000, and received her post-professional doctorate in OT from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) in 2015. She earned her Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) specialty certification in 2007. She is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at East Tennessee State University. Kim’s clinical practice is as senior therapist at The Hand Center at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Tennessee. Her professional interests have focused on hypermobility, wound care, upper extremity multi-trauma, substance use disorders and stigma, and treatment of musicians. She enjoys writing for various hand therapy related publications and blogs. She serves as a consultant for Axogen on studies such as pain and peripheral nerve injuries. She currently serves as Secretary Treasurer of the Northeast District of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association. She has volunteered for many years with the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT), is co-editor of the 4th edition of the CHT Test Prep Book and Clinical Reference (2022), and is the current President of ASHT.

Tauni Bird, OTD, OTR/L (she/her) is an occupational therapist and hand and upper extremity therapist. She is a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists, American Association for Hand Surgery, and American Occupational Therapy Association. She is interested in harm reduction and health equity. Her work on these topics includes conference presentations, non-research articles, and special grant projects. 

The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.