Occupational therapy helps patients recover from injuries, trauma, and neurological or musculoskeletal disorders to regain the skills needed to resume the highest level of function for daily living and tasks. Occupational therapy helps people participate in the things they want and need to do every day, such as dressing, bathing, and getting around. At a first OT appointment, a therapist and the patient will set goals and create a plan to achieve those goals.

Caring for Patients

Occupational therapists (OTs) are licensed health care professionals typically with a master’s degree in occupational therapy. They offer specialized assessment and treatment in hand and upper extremity conditions such as arthritis, fractures, upper extremity traumas, tendon and nerve injuries, and recovery from surgical procedures.

Patients in need of hand therapy may be seen by a certified hand therapist. This is a licensed and registered occupational therapist with advanced training in hand therapy.

Occupational therapist assistants are part of a patient’s care team and help assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures.

Occupational therapy interventions include:

  • Custom splinting, constructed by hand therapists and used to help a painful joint rest, increase stability, and provide pain-free functional use.
  • Edema control
  • Soft tissue/scar management
  • Physical agent modalities
  • Strengthening
  • Therapeutic activities

The OTs provide care for conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injuries, including concussions. The neurological team focuses on self-care and homemaking re-training, custom splinting, cognitive and neuro-muscular re-education so patients may function safely at home and in the community.

Contact Us

725 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
4th Floor
Shapiro Center
617.638.7869
Monday-Thursday - 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday - 7:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Specialty Clinics

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Recovering from an injury or learning to live with a physical disability or limitation can be challenging. Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) can help patients regain strength or mobility, relearn skills, or find new ways of performing everyday tasks.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy (PT) is a healthcare specialty used to evaluate, diagnose, and treat physical problems or disorders of the human body. The goal of PT is for people to be able to go about their normal daily activities as they did before an injury or surgery. Therapists use exercise, manual skills, and functional training to help patients return to their prior level of activity.

Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery

The Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery is the first center in New England to provide such a comprehensive program and is a leader nationally in delivery of gender affirming care.

Medical Oncology

The Cancer Care Center at Boston Medical Center cares for patients with malignant and non-malignant blood disorders and cancer. The Center provides diagnostic services, innovative treatments, and comprehensive care to patients by an outstanding, nationally recognized, multidisciplinary team of hematologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, oncology nurses, social workers, and dieticians.

Orthopedic Surgery

The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Boston Medical Center, one of the most outstanding in New England, provides comprehensive, exceptional orthopedic care to every patient, without exception.

Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center

The Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Program offers consultation, expertise and comprehensive care to individuals with neurological movement disorders. Ongoing, long-term care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of specialists provides patients with individualized care and access to the newest developments in treatment. Our team includes Neurologists who are Movement Disorder Specialists, nurses and rehabilitation specialists. 

Pediatrics - Pain Clinic

The Pediatric Pain Clinic at Boston Medical Center manages acute, complex, and chronic pain in children from infancy to age 22. Our team of experts work closely with each patient's primary care physician, striving to help children regain normal lives and participate in typical age-appropriate activities.

Rheumatology

The Department of Rheumatology provides a full range of services - including joint injections, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and infusion therapies – for arthritis and systemic rheumatic autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma, lupus, inflammatory arthritis, spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. For all conditions, our rheumatologists work closely with providers in other departments to ensure you receive the best care possible, for all aspects of your health.

Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center

Boston Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center offers a full spectrum of clinical and academic services to provide contemporary treatment for patients with brain, carotid and spinal vascular diseases.

Our Team

Karen Mattie, MSPT
Director, Rehabilitative Services

Kara Schworm, MSPT, CCS
Manager, Inpatient Rehabilitative Services

James Sherman, PT, DPT
Manager, Outpatient Rehabilitative Services, Winthrop Neighborhood Health

Jeffrey Merritt
Operations Manager, Rehabilitative Services

Sara Aliperti, PT, DPT, MS, OCS
Manager, Outpatient Rehabilitative Services, Boston Medical Center Campus

Patient Resources

Residency and Fellowship Information

Physical and Occupational Therapy Education & Training for Students

Clinical affiliations with accredited PT, PT, and OT programs:

Physical Therapy

  • Boston University
  • Drexel University
  • Ithaca University
  • MGH – IHP
  • Northeastern University
  • Quinnipiac
  • Simmons
  • Springfield College
  • University of Indianapolis
  • UMass – Lowell
  • University of Rhode Island

Occupational Therapy

  • Boston University
  • MGH-IHP
  • Springfield College
  • Tufts
  • UNH
  • University of Indianapolis

Physical Therapy Assistant

  • Baystate College
  • University of Indianapolis