On this episode, we are joined by Lori Algar and Katie Loomis, who both serve on ASHT’s Research Division. They share with us the results of a recent research community survey that the division conducted to better understand the needs of our members when it comes to clinical research. 

Guest Bios: Lori Algar OTD, OTR/L, CHT is an occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist who works for Orthopaedic Specialty Group PC in Fairfield CT. She has been specializing in the outpatient treatment of individuals with orthopedic injuries to the upper extremity since 2006. She earned her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2013. Lori joined ASHT's Research Division following the completion of her clinical doctorate program and is currently the Research Division Director. She has many publications in the Journal of Hand Therapy and Journal of Hand Surgery, including a randomized clinical trial completed during her clinical work.  

Katie Loomis, MA, OTR/L, CHT, is a PhD candidate in the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California and a research assistant in the Musculoskeletal Sonography and Occupational Performance Laboratory. She has 12 years of clinical and research experience in hand therapy, is an active member of the ASHT Research Division, and an ad hoc reviewer for several rehabilitation-oriented journals. Katie’s research interests center on facilitating large-scale, collaborative practice-based research to better understand and quantify the multidimensional process of upper extremity rehabilitation, and to advance care effectiveness and individualization.