Theresa Courter
Belleville,MI
Summary
Evidence-based driven Occupational Therapist with 25(+) years experience as part of a multidisciplinary team approach to the rehabilitation of upper extremity/hand injuries and post-operative procedures, as well as breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema management of the upper quarter.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Travel Occupational Therapist
Ventura Medstaff
- OTR in charge of continuing development of a hospital based newly developed acute care, out-patient, and home care OT program as well as provide comprehensive treatment as part of an interdisciplinary team in these areas, at Harney District Hospital Burns, OR
- OTR in charge of beginning a traditional out patient orthopedic and hand program at an outpatient PT clinic ( Empower Physical Therapy) , in Wasilla, AK.
- Assessed physical, mental and vocational statuses of clients to develop rehabilitation plans.
- Supported executive-level management by offering feedback on strategy, program and initiative effectiveness.
- Maximized efficiency by spearheading special projects for management through effective problem resolution.
Resident Instructor
University of Michigan Health System
Canton, MI
2010 - Current
- Delivered training sessions to hand specialist/orthopedic occupational therapy residents in both in-person and via webinar-based instruction.
- Focus of instruct on the anatomy, function, assessment, and treatment of shoulder deficits.
- Introduced instruct on cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema treatment related to breast cancer.
- Identified valuable online resources to use in conjunction with lectures , practice with instructor, and in clinic experiences.
- Used quizzes, projects, lab, and observation of patient care to assess how well students grasped learning material and concepts.
Staff Occupational Therapist
University of Michigan
Canton, MI
2003 - Current
- Worked with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive treatment and support for breast cancer patients and upper extremity orthopedic patients.
- Personalized treatment plans to complement specific abilities and recovery goals of each patient.
- Aided in the education and guidance of orthopedic residents for U of M hand fellowship program.
- Provided staff members with instruction on various topics related to the treatment of specific deficits related to upper extremity orthopedic injuries and cancer patients.
- Provided education and instruct to interdisciplinary staff members regarding lymphedema of the upper quarter and breast cancer rehabilitation topics.
- Supervised occupational therapy students in their levels I & II fieldwork experiences.
- Lead the development of the cancer rehabilitation/breast cancer rehabilitation program at the Canton Health Center out patient satellite clinic of U of M.
- Perform measurements and fitting of lymphedema garments necessary for the upper quarter and upper limb and hand.
Staff Occupational Therapist
Mercy Memorial Hospital System
Monroe, MI
1995 - 2001
- Overseeing COTA in a subacute rehabilitation setting of patients recovering from orthopedic and neurological injuries.
- Provided assessment, treatment plans and treatment of patients recovering from upper extremity related orthopedic injuries.
Contract OTR
Plymouth Physical Therapy Services
Plymouth, MI
- Performed evaluations of physical and neurological deficits as they related to residents independence with ADLs and provided and treatment plan and implemented this along with supervision of COTA’s treatments.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MISkills
- Conflict mediation
- Detailed reporting
- Safety processes and procedures
- Client Rapport
- Student /resident assessment and instruction
- Upper extremity and hand injury assessment and treatment
- Breast Cancer Rehabilitation assessment and treatment
- Pain management
- Cupping
- Cold Laser Therapy
- Electrical Stimulation
- Controlled negative pressure treatment devices
- Lymphedema management of the upper quarter
- Fitting for upper extremity /hand/trunk lymphedema garments
Certification
- Licensed Occupational Therapist Registered - 1995
- Certified Lymphedema Therapist of the Upper Quarter, Klose Training Institute- 2011
- STAR Certified Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist - 2013
- Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist,Cancer Exercise TRaining Institute(CETI) - 2019
- Medical Advisory Board member of CETI- 2019
Timeline
Travel Occupational Therapist
Ventura Medstaff
Resident Instructor
University of Michigan Health System
2010 - Current
Staff Occupational Therapist
University of Michigan
2003 - Current
Staff Occupational Therapist
Mercy Memorial Hospital System
1995 - 2001
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Eastern Michigan University
Contract OTR
Plymouth Physical Therapy Services