OUR TEAM

Hands Up Team in Union Square Park.

Pepie Lapsatis M.S. OT, CHT

Pepie Lapsatis is an Occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She received a B.A. in Psychology at New York University and then pursued her M.S. in Occupational Therapy at New York University. She specializes in treating the Hand and Upper extremities, focusing on pre and postoperative orthopedic conditions. She has extensive hands-on experience working as a Hand Therapist for over 17 years working in various reputable hospitals including Mount Sinai Beth Israel, NYU Langone Hand Center, and the Northwell Health system in Long Island. Additionally, Pepie gained experience as a Hand Therapist in various private practices and sports therapy settings. She treats highly complex cases and works closely with renowned physicians and surgeons determining the best treatment plan for her patients.

Pepie has a passion for splint/orthotic fabrication. Her dedication to the field has enabled her to excel and provide individualized evidence-based treatment to all her patients. Pepie continues to advance her clinical skills as a therapist. Her vision is to create a setting that motivates patients to improve while delivering her enthusiasm, knowledge, and peppy personality to all patients.

Kelsey Osburn M.S. OTRL

Kelsey has been a member of the Hands Up OT Team for over 8 years in various roles. During her time at HUOT Kelsey has grown to become an exceptional Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapist. Kelsey earned her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Columbia University. Kelsey has had hands on experience in various clinical settings that include NYU Langone Rusk Rehabilitation and various reputable outpatient hand therapy practices in NYC.  Kelsey has had extensive hands-on experience treating a diverse caseload of medically complex and post-surgical orthopedic conditions of the upper extremity as well as neurologic, and cardiopulmonary treatment interventions. Kelsey has always demonstrated a passion for hand therapy and has worked alongside a team of Certified Hand Therapists and Hand surgeons. Kelsey is passionate about fabricating custom orthotics specifically the intricacies required for proper orthotic fit. Kelsey is committed to providing thoughtful and evidence-based care to her patients. Her positive outlook and empathic personality make Kelsey an asset to the HUOT team.

Courtney Coyle McManus, MS, OT, CHT, CEAS, COEE

 Courtney has been an Occupational Therapist since 2008 and a Certified Hand Therapist since 2014. She received her B.S. in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University (LSU) and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy from LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. She spent 11 years at NYU Langone Medical Center where she pursued her interests in hand therapy, ergonomics, as well as sports and shoulder rehabilitation. She is trained in Upper Extremity Active Release Technique, ASTYM, Blood-flow Restriction Training and is a Certified Office Ergonomics Evaluator (COEE) and a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS). Courtney enjoys teaching and has lectured at NYU Langone’s hand therapy and orthopedic medical conferences and has been an ergonomic consultant for local law firms, architecture firms, and corporations. She fabricates custom splints in a local orthopedic surgeon’s office and guest lectures annually at Columbia University. Courtney offers a diverse and individualized, evidence-based approach to patient care in helping each person achieve their goals.

KIRSTEN RODEK MS/OT

Kirsten is an Occupational Therapist with a keen interest in upper extremity rehabilitation and a strong background in the sciences. Kirsten obtained her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from New York University after receiving her Bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Studies from Connecticut College. Kirsten has had clinical experience in multiple outpatient hand therapy settings, including NYU Langone RUSK Rehabilitation for outpatient hand therapy at both Manhattan and Brooklyn locations. Kirsten has treated patients with various upper extremity injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder including post-operative orthopedic conditions, conservative management of fractures, repetitive stress injuries, arthritis, and ligament injuries. Kirsten takes a client-centered approach in which she aims to help restore patient’s functional independence so that they may continue to do what is most important to them in their daily lives. She believes in individualized evidenced-based treatment and ensures that each and every patient receives quality care. 

Christian Bantigue OTA

Christian Bantigue is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with extensive knowledge and experience in outpatient hand therapy. He has treated patients with a diverse range of upper extremity diagnoses. The outpatient setting and Hands Up OT have allowed him to develop the skills to understand his patient’s needs and provide treatment specific to the activities they love. He enjoys the creativity and customization necessary to create challenging yet functional treatment plans that allow for favorable outcomes.

Christian takes pride in providing service with a smile and truly getting to know his patients. He believes that the great thing about hand therapy is that there is always another way to do something better and that continuous learning within the field is a gift that keeps giving.

Skyler Stein M.S. OTR

Skyler Stein is an Occupational Therapist with a passion for hand therapy. Skyler graduated with her master’s from Quinnipiac University. She has been practicing for over six years. Skyler's experience includes working at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth NJ - where her clinical focus is hands - orthopedics, as well as private outpatient facilities in the tristate area. Skyler is well-versed and has experience working with various diagnoses including orthopedic and neurological conditions. Skyler brings a positive and encouraging attitude to every treatment. Skyler fits perfectly at Hands Up OT, which fosters the same optimistic and constructive approach to treatment. 

Sophie Goloff OT/ CHT

Sophie, a Certified Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist, is pursuing her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at New York University. With extensive experience in hand therapy, she has been affiliated with prestigious institutions, including the Hospital for Special Surgery, as well as several private hand therapy practices in New York City.

We are privileged to welcome Sophie to our team at Hands Up OT. Her expertise and dedication to hand therapy are commendable. She brings enthusiasm and a positive presence to our environment, taking great pride in her work and the recovery outcomes of her patients.

Allison Landy  M.S. OTRL

Alli is an Occupational Therapist, specializing in Hand Therapy, with a passion for restoring function and improving quality of life. Alli has experience treating a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder and is skilled in splinting/orthotic fabrication. Alli earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University after receiving her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Florida. Alli is passionate about pursuing continuing education opportunities to ensure the highest level of care for her patients. Alli has experience treating various patient populations including sports injuries, repetitive stress injuries, complex and trauma related injuries, amputations, neurological conditions, and pediatric therapy. Alli believes in a comprehensive approach to hand therapy, addressing not only the physical aspects of recovery but also the emotional and functional needs of her patients. She values collaborating with the physicians she works with to provide the best care for her patients. Alli seeks to motivate the individuals she works with through collaboration to gain strength, mobility and restore independence in their daily activities.Alli . 

Trinity Tilden: Administrative Assistant

Trinity is set to complete her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy this Fall. She has contributed to Hands Up OT as a volunteer, where her diligent work ethic and commitment to excellence led to her appointment as our administrative assistant. Her charming and pleasant demeanor makes her a joy to work with, and she frequently serves as the initial point of contact for the practice. Hands Up Occupational Therapy is pleased to have her on our team. Her compassion for patients is apparent, and she is always available to support both patients and therapists in the clinic, ensuring that operations proceed efficiently and that patient care remains uninterrupted.