On today’s episode of Hands in Motion we are joined by the chairman of the American Hand Therapy Foundation, James King, to discuss what AHTF does as an organization, how they support the profession of hand therapy through research and education, and the collaboration between the tri-alliance of AHTF, ASHT, and HTCC. 

Jim has over 40 years of experience as a licensed occupational therapist and certified hand therapist with extensive knowledge and background in clinical rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity, work-related assessment and ergonomic work design, outpatient rehabilitation, and health care management, administration, and business development. He has been a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Texas Occupational Therapy Association since 1979. 

With over 150 local, state, national, and international professional presentations, as well as multiple clinical and business publications to his name, Dr. King is a lifetime fellow and past president of the American Society of Hand Therapists, and 2003 recipient of the Nathalie Barr Lectureship, ASHT’s highest award. He is an editorial board member of the Journal of Hand Therapy, and Vice Chair of the American Hand Therapy Foundation. 

He currently holds the position of Managing Partner for the Southeast Texas Rehabilitation Network in Houston, Texas, and is a full-time clinician and researcher. 

Dr. King earned his bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and a master’s degree and PhD from Texas Woman’s University. In his doctoral dissertation, Dr. King explored psychosocial factors in the development and progression of cumulative trauma disorders and then used the findings to develop and test a curriculum designed to guide healthcare professionals with a person-centered approach.