On this episode, we are joined by John Powers, a sculptor whose work depends on his hands to transform ideas into something tangible. After an injury resulted in the loss of his thumb and ring finger, John faced a profound change, not only in how he used his hand, but in how he approached his work and his identity as an artist. John shares with us his story of injury, adaptation and finding new ways to create.

Guest Bio: John Powers is a sculptor. He lives and works in New York.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.

On this third and final episode of our student series, we are joined by Tabitha Franceschini, an occupational therapist who just a year ago transitioned from being an OT student to a clinician practicing in a hand therapy clinic. Tabitha shares with us how the classroom prepared her to be a student in a hand therapy clinic, how her clinical instructor facilitated her learning and supported her critical thinking skills and how she then made the transition to full-time clinician in a specialty field.

Guest Bio: Tabitha Franceschini is an occupational therapist specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation at Tufts Medical Center. She graduated from Tufts University with her Doctor of Occupational Therapy in 2025 and completed the Tufts Hand & Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Certificate. Tabitha is also involved with the American Society of Hand Therapists through the Student Outreach Committee. She is passionate about hand therapy, clinical reasoning, and continuing to grow as a clinician, while sharing what she learns with other students and new graduates navigating the transition into practice.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.

On this second episode of our student series, we are joined by Romina Astifidis, a physical therapist and Certified Hand Therapist who has educated many students in the clinic during her career and now coordinates clinical affiliations and rotations for her company. Romi shares with us how her clinics prepare to take students in hand therapy, how to support students who might need a little more guidance and how to nurture a student’s critical thinking skills in the clinic.

Guest bio: Romina Astifidis is the Clinic Director at MedStar Curtis National Hand Center at Lutherville in Baltimore, Maryland. She earned her physical therapy degree at Loma Linda University and started exclusively treating hand and upper extremity 23 years ago. As part of MedStar hospital system’s Education and Mentoring Division, she has organized and lectured locally on a variety of topics including splinting, peripheral nerve injuries, CRPS, tendon injuries, and tendon transfers. Romina has served on many committees for ASHT and regularly presents for the Education Division. She also coordinates, as CCCE, all of the PT and OT students for the outpatient division of Medstar Health Physical Therapy.

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The views and opinions expressed in the Hands in Motion podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASHT. Appearance on the podcast does not imply endorsement of any products, services or viewpoints discussed.