About
Mirella Deisher, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC
Founder & Faculty
Bridging Access, Innovation, & Education
​Welcome Message from Mirella
As the founder of Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC, I extend a warm welcome to you. For over two decades, I've been immersed in the world of hand therapy, witnessing firsthand the impact of providing highly specialized care on patient outcomes and the transformative power of education and mentorship on clinicians and the patients they serve.
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Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC, was established to address an educational gap in the specialty of upper limb and hand therapy. We uniquely offer a curriculum-based approach to continuing education coupled with mentorship that is designed to cultivate effective critical thinking skills.
We are trained as generalists, but through an evidence-based, comprehensive curriculum, professional development activities, and, most importantly, mentorship, clinicians demonstrate credibility and commitment to providing the highest level of evidence-based patient care in upper limb and hand therapy. This enables clinicians, whether new grads or experienced clinicians, to be more competitive for positions in hand therapy and more confident that they can provide high-quality specialized care as they transition to the role of a hand therapist.
At VHSF, our commitment to evidence-based practice ensures that every aspect of our curriculum is grounded in the latest research and clinical expertise. We are equally committed to utilizing online instructional strategies grounded in evidence. Our ultimate goal is to make the attainment of clinical excellence accessible in the specialty of hand therapy.
Virtual learning transcends geographical boundaries, offering clinicians from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to enhance their skills and expand their horizons. It fosters a community of collaboration and innovation, where individuals can engage with experts and peers alike, enriching their learning experience.
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Join us on this journey that will fill your knowledge gaps, increase your confidence, develop your competence, and put you on a pathway toward mastery.
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Warm regards,
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Mirella Deisher, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CHT
Founder, Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC
Career Highlights
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Mirella Deisher, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CHT, has built a distinguished career marked by leadership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in hand therapy. Her journey includes:
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Founder & Faculty, Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC: Since January 2020, Mirella has spearheaded a Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship, offering advanced education globally. This hybrid program aims to make specialized training accessible and affordable for therapists worldwide.
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Founder, Virtual Hand to Shoulder Institute, LLC: Since October 2019, Mirella has led this institute, providing teletherapy for upper extremity and hand rehabilitation.
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Adjunct Professor, Cedar Crest College: Mirella has served as an adjunct professor since December 2021, contributing her expertise in online teaching and higher education. She is also collaborating with Cedar Crest College to develop an onsite pro bono hand therapy clinic.
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Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, Cedar Crest College: From May 2020 to December 2021, Mirella was part of the founding faculty and was directly involved with designing lab spaces, developing curriculum, and developing mentorship guidelines and policies. She also served as an Assistant Professor teaching anatomy and neuroanatomy.
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Hand Therapy Coordinator, Lehigh Valley Health Health Network: During her tenure from April 2016 to April 2020, Mirella served in several roles, as Coordinator of Hand Therapy she elevated standards of care and rehabilitation through quality improvement initiatives and managed four hand therapy satellite offices. She also developed and served as Coordinator of the Hand Therapy Fellowship program for which she was awarded grant funding. She also provided patient care as a certified hand therapist.
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Director of Hand Therapy, St. Luke's University Health Network: From September 2010 to April 2016, Mirella held leadership roles, overseeing hand therapy programs and fostering excellence in patient care.
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Director of the Hand Therapy Fellowship, St. Luke's University Health Network: From September 2013 to April 2016. Mirella developed a clinical hand therapy fellowship program
Education
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Masters in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University (1997-1999)
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Certificate in Upper Quarter and Hand Therapy, Drexel University (2000-2001)
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Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University (2009-2012)
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Publications
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Deisher, M., Klaman, M., Gustafson, C., Missmer, D. “Continuous Improvement in Hand Therapy: Lean & The Improvement Kata Mindset.” Journal of Hand Therapy, 32, (4): 535-538. October-December 2019.
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McGowen, S., Deisher, M., Matullo, K. “Functional Fusion Angle for Thumb Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.” Hand. 11, (1): 59-64. March 2016.
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Deisher, M. “Systems change: Leading the way to meet health needs.” Journal of Hand Therapy, 26, (3): 282-285. July/September 2013.
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Deisher, M. “Twists, Turns, and Trouble” Advance for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine, 17, (1): 31. (2009).
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Deisher, M. “Different Strokes.” Philadelphia Daily News. May (2010).
Service
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ASHT Research Division 2012 to 2024
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Reviewer for Journal of Hand Therapy
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Mirella's career highlights underscore her dedication to advancing the field of hand therapy, bridging gaps in education, and ensuring quality care for patients globally.
