Hand Rehabilitation Providers
Laura L. Glaser, MS, PT, CHT
Chief, Hand Rehabilitation
Laura graduated from Marquette University in 1994 with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy and a Masters of Science from University of Rochester in 2003. She has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 1999 and an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapists. Laura has been with the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation team since 1994.
Peter Casler OTR/L, CHT
Hand Therapist
Pete holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from University at Buffalo.
He earned his certified hand therapist designation in 2005. Pete has worked extensively in rehabilitation of the upper
extremity involving sports, orthopeadic, cumulative, and industrial injuries. He is skilled in
fabricating custom splints for the elbow, wrist, and hand. Pete was a provider in the New York City area and was
involved with managing shoulder and elbow injuries in athletes and their throwing programs.
Pete joined the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation team in 2008 after working several years in private
practice in the Rochester area. He is an active member in the American Society of Hand Therapists.
Danielle Igoe, MPT, CHT
Hand Therapist
Danielle graduated in 1998 from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy. She took an immediate interest in hand therapy and, upon graduation, began specialized training with a hand surgeon and his certified hand therapists at the Pennsylvania Hand Center. After three years, Danielle relocated to her native San Diego, working in outpatient Physical Therapy clinics while participating in continuing education courses emphasizing hand and upper extremity training, as well as attending anatomy labs with local hand surgeons. Danielle earned her CHT in 2004 and continues to work as a hand and upper extremity specialist. She joined the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation team in February 2011.
Emily Messina, PTA
Hand Therapy Assistant
Emily graduated from the Lasell College Physical Therapy Assistant program with an Associates in Applied Sciences degree. She joined the URMC Hand Rehabilitation team in 2003. Then, Emily provided physical therapy services to hospitalized patients at URMC for a year. In 2008, she rejoined the Hand Therapy staff as a Physical Therapy Assistant. Emily works with patients of all ages to guide them in their prescribed exercise program.
Courtney Middleton , OTR/L, CHT, CLT
Hand Therapist
Courtney earned a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College in 1998. She has focused her clinical skills in upper extremity rehabilitation since this time. In 1999, Courtney became a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and has extensive training in edema management and compression garmet fitting. She is trained in the administration of Functional Capacity Evaluations and Job Function Testing. Courtney earned her Certified Hand Therapist designation from the Hand Therapy Certification Commission in 2008.
Courtney joined the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation team in 2010. She regularly participates in continuing education programs and is an active memeber of the American Society of Hand Therapists.
Heather C. Smith, MS, PT, CHT, Cert MDT
Senior Hand Therapist
Heather has a Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Science and a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College.
She is credentialed in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy of the Spine by the McKenzie Institute. She is also credentialed by the Hand
Therapy Certification Commission as a Certified Hand Therapist.
Heather is skilled in fabricating custom orthotics for the elbow, wrist, and hand in addition to being trained as a WorkWell provider
for Functional Capacity Evaluations for the injured worker. Heather continues to remain active both clinically and professionally in
treatment and teaching. She is a guest lecturer to the graduate students at Ithaca College. She has been with the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
team since leaving private practice in 2005.
Tom Towner, OTR/L
Hand Therapist
Tom earned a Bachelor's of Occupational Science and a Master's of Occupational Therapy from Keuka College in 2011. He took an immediate interest in hand therapy during his educational career completing four internships/fieldwork experiences at hand rehabilitation clinics. Tom joined the URMC Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation team in July of 2011.
