Meet Our Certified Hand Therapist

Laura Lee Smith, OTR/L, CHT

Bio

Laura Lee Smith is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist who practices at our Egg Harbor location. She received an associate degree from Manchester Community College and a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy from Quinnipiac College in 1986. Laura Lee then obtained a post-professional degree in hand and upper quarter rehabilitation from Drexel University in 2002. She became a board-certified hand therapist in 2001.

Before joining Twin Boro Physical Therapy, Laura Lee spent over 25 years working at the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation in Pomona, NJ, where she held various positions, including staff occupational therapist/certified hand therapist, assistant director of occupational therapy, and clinical director of the stroke program. She also served as the supervisor of occupational therapy at McLean Home and Rehabilitation Center in Simsbury, CT, a staff occupational therapist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Hartford, CT, and an occupational therapist/certified hand therapist at Rothman Institute in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

Laura Lee sees her practice of hand therapy as a combination of science and art. While the science component requires very specific knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, there is also an art component that allows for creativity in how she utilizes various hands-on techniques for each patient. She also loves meeting all different kinds of people and helping them with their dysfunction so they can return to their occupation of living life. Laura Lee makes it a priority to keep up with the latest technology and practices in hand therapy through continuing education, which ensure that her patients are receiving the best care currently available.

When treating each patient, she first gathers and analyzes all information on the injury and/or surgery performed, including the structures involved, integrity of the tissue, hardware and/or suture techniques used, and applicable test results (X-ray, MRI, EMG, etc.) She then focuses on managing edema, pain, scar prevention, and wound care, and if needed, fabricating orthoses that support, immobilize, or mobilize joints and/or tendons. Another critical step in her practice is educating the patient on their role in treatment and the use of a home program.