Stephanie Griffin, an occupational therapist at Nash Day Hospital, recently earned her certification in hand therapy, making her one of an estimated 5,400 certified hand therapists worldwide.

Hand therapy focuses on rehabilitation of the wrist, elbows, hands and shoulder area. A certified hand therapist must pass a standardized exam and have a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy.

Griffin, originally from Tarboro, earned her bachelor’s of science in occupational therapy at East Carolina University. She has worked with Nash Health Care for the past 11 years.

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission Inc. is the only organization granting hand therapy certification in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. The Certified Hand Therapist credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist treating them has achieved the highest recognition of competency in the profession of upper limb rehabilitation.