Darren Gustitus
Ann Arbor,MI
Summary
Certified Hand Therapist leveraging over 30 years of experience in individualized care and clinic management. Expertise in developing progressive treatment and splinting protocols, enhancing patient outcomes, and managing referral partnerships to streamline operations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Hand Therapist/Owner
Hand Orthopedic Management and Education PLLC
Ann Arbor, MI
01.2026 - Current
- Deliver specialized hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder therapy evaluations and treatment plans for post-operative and non-operative conditions for outpatient patients in the confines of their own home.
Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons
Novi, Michigan
07.2023 - Current
- Deliver specialized hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder therapy evaluations and treatment plans for post-operative and non-operative conditions.
- Coordinate with surgeons to optimize and customize patient care.
- Patient and caregiver education.
- Static and dynamic splinting.
- Patient case management.
- Evaluate patient conditions to develop personalized treatment plans.
- Develop individualized treatment plans.
- Design progressive strengthening protocols.
- Implement therapeutic exercises to enhance patient mobility and strength.
- Extensive treatment of pain driven conditions, such as; complex regional pain syndrome using a multitude of techniques. These techniques include; modalities, graded motor imagery, kinesiology taping, manual techniques, desensitization, electrical stimulation, breathing techniques, and meditation.
- Collaborate with orthopedic surgeons for comprehensive patient care strategies.
- Perform manual therapy techniques such as mobilization, massage, and soft tissue manipulation.
- Extensive work with scar remodeling techniques.
- Create customized orthoses using thermoplastic materials for immobilization, mobilization of target tissues, recapture lost motion, and assist with functional movements.
- Record and review patient medical history through online medical database.
- Led classes and workshops on hand therapy practices to students and assistants.
Clinical Manager/Certified Hand Therapist
Michigan Hand and Wrist
Novi, MI
09.2005 - 07.2023
- Performed all duties listed under certified hand therapist for Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Developed hand therapy program for small surgical practice.
- Clinic management: hiring, supple management, budgeting, quality assurance, clinic maintenance. .
- Developed and implemented clinic policies to improve operational efficiency.
- Managed daily operations of the clinic, including scheduling appointments and assigning staff.
- Monitored clinic activities, such as billing, coding, and medical records maintenance.
- Oversaw recruitment of new personnel for the clinic, conducting interviews and making hiring decisions.
- Oversaw ordering, purchasing and maintenance of clinical equipment.
Staff Therapist
Michigan Hand and Sport Rehabilitation
Dearborn
09.1996 - 08.2005
- Work reconditioning therapist.
- Industrial consultative service provider.
- Physician and Therapist co-treatment to expedite successful return to work.
- Hand therapy duties.
- Static and dynamic splinting.
- Case management.
Education
Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan05-1997
Skills
- Clinical management
- Staff supervision
- Orthopedic assessment
- Treatment of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand
- Orthotic design
- Orthotic fabrication
- Therapeutic modalities
- Manual therapy techniques
- Scar management
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Therapeutic exercise
- Therapeutic activities
- Prehension training
- Pain management techniques
- Kinesiology taping techniques
- Clinical documentation
- Evidence-based practice
- Case management
- Patient education
- Anatomy
Publications
- Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Secrets, Second edition, Chapter 51 - Common Orthopaedic Dysfunction of the Wrist and Hand
- Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Secrets 3rd edition, Chapter 34 - Clinical Conditions of the Elbow.
- Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Secrets 4th edition, Chapter 51 - Common Orthopaedic Dysfunction of the Wrist and Hand
- Preparing for the Occupational Therapy National Board Exam: 45 Days and Counting, Chapter 14: Orthopedic Conditions of the Shoulder
Certification
Certified Hand Therapy Exam, Hand Therapy Certification Commission, 11/01/03
Timeline
Certified Hand Therapist/Owner
Hand Orthopedic Management and Education PLLC
01.2026 - Current
Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons
07.2023 - Current
Clinical Manager/Certified Hand Therapist
Michigan Hand and Wrist
09.2005 - 07.2023
Staff Therapist
Michigan Hand and Sport Rehabilitation
09.1996 - 08.2005
Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy - Occupational Therapy
Eastern Michigan University