JAG PT Hand Therapists

Aditi Kadakia, OT, CHT: Bio coming soon!

Location: Jersey City (Greene St.), NJ

Barbara Golej-Figura, MS, OTR, CHT: Barbara is a certified hand therapist (CHT) and occupational therapist with more than 25 years of experience in the field. She was educated at Utica College of Syracuse University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy and made the Dean’s List upon graduating. Barbara later went on to attend Temple University, where she received an Advanced Master of Science in occupational therapy with an emphasis on hand therapy. Barbara manages patients with a wide variety of upper extremity injuries and conditions, but most frequently treats wrist and finger fractures, soft-tissue trauma, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive overuse conditions, and inflammation disorders. She takes a highly personalized approach to patient care, making it a top priority to understand how each patient is impacted by injury in their daily activities and emotional wellbeing from the outset of their care plan. Barbara particularly enjoys meeting different people and watching them progress from an injured, painful stage to recovery and a return to work and leisure activities that leaves them satisfied with their outcomes.

Location: Belleville (Clara Maas), NJ

Christopher Oliveri, OT, CHT : Bio coming soon!

Location: West Orange, NJ

Corinne Bordieri, OTR/L, CHT: Corinne Bordieri is an Occupational Therapist/Certified Hand Therapist with 15 years of clinical experience and is Fellowship Trained in hand and upper limb impairments.. In the most recent years of Corinne's career, she has primarily treated patients with hand and other upper limb injuries/diagnoses in an outpatient orthopedic setting. Corinne's clinical interests include complex hand and traumatic wrist injuries. She enjoys participation in continuing education and mastering her skills in custom orthosis fabrication. When Corinne is not treating patients, she can be found spending time with family, friends and her pets. Her non-clinical interests include hiking, sewing, knitting and crocheting.

Location: Tinton Falls, NJ

Joe Martinez, PT, DPT, CHT: Joe obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2011 from UMDNJ (now Rutgers School of Biomedical & Health Sciences). As a drummer, Joe always knew he wanted to specialize in hand therapy, allowing him to help musicians and people who work with their hands to get back the life they love while maintaining his versatility to be able to work with all body parts. As a way of pursuing more advanced knowledge and education, Joe went on to serve as the Hand Therapy Fellow at Hospital for Special Surgery from 2013-2014, after which he earned his Certified Hand Therapist designation in 2016. Joe sees splinting as a great outlet for his creativity and problem-solving skills. Joe also prides himself on thorough, open communication with his patients, encouraging them to be active participants in their own therapy, and enjoying helping guide them along the way.

Location: Wayne (Hamburg Turnpike), NJ

Kathryn Haskins PT, DPT, OCS, CHT: Kathryn graduated first in her class with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in 2011 and successfully obtained her board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Having developed an affinity for the upper extremity as a collegiate softball pitcher, Kathryn pursued specialization in her field after practicing for a number of years. She completed a Hand Therapy Fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery and went on to earn her designation of Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Kathryn has a special passion for exercising creativity through custom orthosis fabrication, and also enjoys integrating her orthopedic knowledge of more distant movement systems that influence the mechanics and function of the upper extremity.

Locations: Denville, NJ; Warren, NJ

Lynn Simon, OTR, CHT: Lynn is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with more than 35 years of experience treating complex conditions and injuries to the hand, wrist and elbow. She maintains excellent communication with referring physicians and provides in-depth patient education in order to provide optimal outcomes. Lynn expertly fabricates custom orthosis to protect / immobilize joints in order to maximize function for participation in daily activities, with a special focus on orthosis for athletes to return to competition. In addition, Lynn’s areas of clinical expertise include treating complex elbow and tendon injuries, tendinopathies of the elbow, wrist and hand, and arthritis of the upper extremity.

Location: West Orange, NJ

Maxcita Alvarez OTR/L, CHT: As an Occupational Therapist specializing in Hand Therapy practice, Maxcita’s absolute passion has been to increase her patients’ awareness/knowledge of their injuries. Through understanding we are able to capture purpose and work harder to achieve goals. Patient education is essential in ensuring compliance and improvement. Her growth as a clinician has been inspired by the most amazing group of therapists and physicians who have mentored and educated her through their outstanding and exemplary work. Each day, Maxcita works to motivate and inspire her patients to do more than the day before. She incorporates her patients’ unique experiences, goals, and purpose, as she works together with each individual patient to get them back to performing their daily life skills and regaining mobility and strength. Maxcita has experience working throughout various hospitals/settings including St. Vincent's, Mt. Sinai, and NYU Student Health Service, Private Practice, and Outpatient Therapy.

Location: Marine Park, NY

Melissa Roesch-Kanter OT, CHT: Melissa is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist with more than 30 years of clinical experience treating complex upper extremity injuries. Melissa is passionate about creating personalized treatment programs following a comprehensive evaluation of hand function. Melissa educates herself on the most current treatment techniques to help her patients maximize function and return to work and leisure activities. Special skill areas include: custom orthotic fabrication, manual therapy, wound care and management, soft tissue and elbow injuries.

Location: West Orange, NJ

Renee Ferraraccio, CHT, OT: Renee Ferraraccio is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and Occupational Therapist (OT) at JAG on South ave Staten Island, NY. Renee received her BS from SUNY at Buffalo NY and her MS in OT at Seton Hall Graduate Medical school with proven academic excellence. Renee specializes in treatment of upper extremity injuries including complex peripheral nerve injuries, trauma, soft tissue injuries, arthritis, fractures, tendonitis, complex amputations and fabrication of custom orthoses. She completed the Upper Quarter Rehab Certification for Advance Specialty at Drexel University and attends Continuing Education courses to stay relevant and evidence based. Renee’s career over 18 years has provided her with the opportunity to treat various complex Upper Extremity injuries, including multiple fractures, dislocations, trigger finger releases, Carpal tunnel, Dupuytren’s, Dequervain releases and tendon injuries . Renee believes successful outcomes are a result of a compliant patient, a great surgeon and a dedicated CHT!

Location: South Ave, NY

Shari Bensadoun, MS, OTR/L, CHT: Shari Bensadoun is a licensed Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She is a graduate of Touro College School of Health Sciences with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2008 where she earned a place in the Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society. After working as an Occupational Therapist and dedicating her time to continued learning she decided to further her career within the field of Hand therapy and become a Certified Hand Therapist. She specializes in post-operative rehabilitation and custom splinting and is certified in the Graston Technique. She also dedicates her time as a fieldwork supervisor for OT students.

Location: Atlantic Terminal, NY

Kristen Schumacher, OTR/L: Kristen received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Scranton's five-year accelerated program. Her clinical experience solidified her commitment to hand therapy, leading her to specialize in this field and pursue her CHT. Kristen brings her passion for hand therapy to the JAG Occupational Therapy department, since joining in September 2021. She enjoys treating patients of all ages with orthopedic and upper extremity injuries, as well as incorporating custom splinting. Outside of the clinic, Kristen enjoys taking workout classes, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.

Location: Jersey City (Greene St.), NJ; Jersey City (Newport), NJ