Orthotic Design and Fabrication for the Upper Extremity

Katherine Schofield, DHS, OTR/L, CHT is an Associate Professor and Assistant Program Director for Midwestern University's Occupational Therapy Program in Glendale, Arizona. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy in 1988 at the University of Alberta in Canada, her certification in hand therapy in 1993, as well as a Masters in Health Science degree in 2009 and a Doctorate in Health Science degree in 2012, both from the University of Indianapolis. Since beginning her career in 1988, Dr. Schofield has worked in physical rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient upper extremity orthopedics. Dr. Schofield has more than 30 years of experience as a practicing clinician. She has presented at numerous local, state, national, and international conferences and postgraduate educational venues on various topics pertaining to upper extremity rehabilitation. She has publications in peer-reviewed journals on anatomy content and teaching pedagogy for occupational therapy students and orthotic instructional strategies. Dr. Schofield began her career at Midwestern University in 2000 as an adjunct professor while concurrently managing an outpatient hand therapy clinic. She has been a full-time professor since 2007. She is currently a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, and a past member of the American Association of Hand Surgeons.


Deborah Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT is a hand therapist with over 34 years of experience as a practicing clinician. She works with Orfit Industries America to promote product awareness and splinting education. Debby is an active member of American Society of Hand Therapists and has participated in International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy meetings as well. She has presented on a variety of hand therapy topics both at national and international conferences and has written a number of articles for hand therapy publications, including the British Journal of Hand Therapy, ADVANCE for OT, www.exploringhandtherapy.com, and several research studies for the Journal of Hand Therapy. Debby regularly conducts splinting workshops for beginner, intermediate, and advanced splinting as well as introductory classes for occupational therapy students in university programs. Debby completed her doctoral studies in Occupational Therapy at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. She is currently writing several book chapters for hand therapy references.