Welcome to Hands in Motion’s 100th episode! For this special episode, we are so fortunate to be joined by Karen Prendergast Lauckhardt, one of ASHT’s founding members. Karen shares with us how a gathering of occupational and physical therapists in a coffee shop led to an organization dedicated to the hand and upper extremity therapy specialty. The persistence of this group of therapists who sought collaboration and education led to the formation of the American Society of Hand Therapists, and their mission continues today.

Guest bio: Karen H. Prendergast Lauckhardt grew up in suburban Long Island, NY, and graduated from Berner High School in Massapequa before earning a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College in 1970.

In 1973, Karen began working in New York City with hand surgeon Dr. Robert Beasley to establish the Hand Rehab Center on 30th Street. She is a founding member of the American Society of Hand Therapists and served in every volunteer office, including as ASHT President in 1977.

Karen earned a master's degree in Ergonomics and Occupational Biomechanics from New York University in 1981. That same year, she joined the Medical College of Virginia, where she designed and founded the Hand Rehab Center Clinic and served as director of the master's program in hand therapy.

In 1987, Karen married Chip Lauckhardt and moved north to practice at Lenox Hill Hospital. The following year, she established her private practice, Greenwich Hand Therapy. She retired to Bellingham, WA, in 2009 and is relocating to Exeter, NH, in the summer of 2026.

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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.