Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship
Clinical mastery and CHT exam preparation in one integrated program.
From Generalist to Specialist
A 12-month, post-professional fellowship for occupational and physical therapists specializing in upper limb and hand rehabilitation.
Offered in synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid pathways to fit your clinical schedule.
Open to therapists worldwide.
Contact Mirella with enrollment questions at mirella@virtualhandfellowship.com
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September Cohort Now Enrolling
Fellowship Term: September 13, 2026 through September 12, 2027
Program Overview
Structure & Accreditation
• 48-week upper limb and hand therapy core curriculum delivered within a 12-month enrollment period​​
• 42 expert interdisciplinary guest presentations, integrating specialized perspectives from across upper limb and hand therapy.
• Upon successful completion of the fellowship, graduates maintain complimentary access to the exclusive VHSF Lifelong Learning Center, providing continued professional development through live Grand Rounds, Clinical Case Exchange, multidisciplinary guest faculty presentations, and an expanding library of educational resources, for an additional 6 months.
• Designed as a post-professional program for licensed occupational and physical therapists
• Awards 21.7 AOTA-approved CEUs upon successful completion (Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider)
Learning format & core resources
• Available in synchronous, asynchronous, or hybrid pathways
• Three interactive digital workbooks designed to reinforce learning, organize key concepts, and support application throughout the curriculum
• Weekly learning objectives and quizzes to reinforce key concepts
• Comprehensive lecture library with video and audio recordings
• Downloadable lecture outlines and reference materials
• Mobile app access for flexible study across devices, with supplemental microlearning resources between clinical demands.
Mentorship, community, clinical reasoning, & professional development
• Structured progression from foundational sciences to complex clinical reasoning
• Remote clinical mentorship to support integration of learning into practice
• Access to mentorship resources (e.g., guided templates, clinical reasoning tools, and implementation support)
• Regular opportunities for case-based discussion and Q&A with faculty
• Virtual sessions featuring real patient cases and advanced clinical decision-making
• Grand Rounds provide an opportunity for case-based peer-to-peer learning
• Pathway to the VHSF Faculty Fellowship following successful Fellowship completion and CHT certification.
• An international learning community that brings together clinicians from diverse practice settings and professional backgrounds.
​ • Lifelong access to the VHSF Alumni Network, a community of Fellowship graduates who remain connected for ongoing professional support, collaboration, and shared learning.
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CHT exam preparation
• CHT exam preparation is integrated throughout the curriculum rather than as a separate course
• Dedicated focus on exam-style questions and content areas aligned with the CHT test blueprint
• Four CHT-style practice exams to support exam readiness, self-assessment, and targeted review
Hands-on and advanced learning opportunities
• Optional live weekend labs for applied orthotic fabrication and clinical skills*
• Optional virtual labs for learners unable to travel*
• Opportunities to observe and discuss complex clinical cases with experienced hand therapists and guest presenters
*Additional fees may apply for optional lab components.
Curriculum Design
Trimester I: Foundations
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Shoulder Anatomy & Biomechanics
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Elbow Anatomy & Biomechanics
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Wrist & Hand Anatomy & Biomechanics
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Neuroanatomy & Physiology
Trimester II: Pathology 101
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Pathology & Pathomechanics
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Clinical Exam
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Interventions, Procedures, & Rehab
Trimester III: Complex Pathologies
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Pathology & Pathomechanics
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Clinical Exam
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Interventions, Procedures, & Rehab
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Each trimester is a prerequisite for the next.
This scaffolded approach allows for the development of critical thinking skills.
Cohorts begin in January, April, and September
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*Application Required
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Recommended Text:
Skirvin, Osterman, Fedorczyk, Amadio, Feldscher, and Shin (eds). Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier, 2021. *VHSF holds no financial interest in the recommended memberships or purchase of required text.
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The Virtual Hand Therapy Fellowship is intentionally designed as a progression from foundational knowledge to clinical mastery. Each stage builds on the previous one to support both high-level clinical practice and CHT exam preparation.
1. Knowledge
Fellows begin by consolidating and expanding their foundational understanding of upper limb anatomy, biomechanics, tissue healing, and physiology. Through structured lectures, guided readings, and formative assessments, therapists develop a coherent framework for interpreting clinical presentations and exam questions. The goal in this stage is not memorization, but organized, retrievable knowledge.
2. Confidence
As knowledge becomes more integrated, fellows apply it to case-based learning, structured discussions, and weekly learning activities. They begin to recognize patterns, anticipate clinical problems, and select appropriate interventions with increasing assurance. Confidence at this stage reflects the ability to justify decisions with sound rationale, both in the clinic and in response to CHT-style questions.
3. Competence
Competence emerges as fellows consistently translate knowledge and confidence into effective, patient-centered care. Through mentored clinical reasoning, progressive case complexity, and repeated opportunities for self-assessment, therapists refine their evaluation strategies, differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and outcome monitoring. Competence here is defined as reliable, reproducible performance across common and complex upper limb conditions.
4. Mastery
Mastery is not the absence of questions, but the ability to ask more sophisticated ones. In the final stage, fellows are challenged to synthesize evidence, clinical experience, and patient-specific factors to manage nuanced and atypical presentations. They learn to critically appraise interventions, mentor others, and contribute to advancing practice in their settings. This level of thinking prepares therapists not only to sit for the CHT exam, but to practice as specialists in upper limb and hand rehabilitation.
"We've been educated as generalists. Our mission is to educate you as specialists."
- Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship
Mission
1
To advance expertise in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and management of patients with upper extremity and hand impairment and disability.​
2
To develop leaders in the field who help bridge the gaps between practice patterns utilizing evidence-based practice and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.
3
To prepare physical and occupational therapists to sit for the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) examination.​
Virtual Hand to Shoulder Fellowship, LLC
Bridging a Knowledge Gap in Upper Extremity & Hand Rehabilitation
