15th Annual HTA-CA Conference 

NextGen Hands: Innovation in Hand Therapy and Surgery
Join us for the premier educational and networking event of the year, the HTA-CA Annual Conference. This is an unmatched opportunity to advance your expertise, gain critical insights into the latest research, and connect with a vibrant community of peers. This year's conference emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together leading hand surgeons and expert hand therapists to share knowledge, collaborate, and innovate the future of upper extremity care.
April 18–19, 2026
Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco, 223 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, CA
Register NowSpeakers

The Grand Bay Hotel: Where Silicon Valley Meets Waterfront Luxury

Our 2026 Conference will take place at the esteemed Grand Bay Hotel San Francisco—an exceptional venue to celebrate our 15th Annual Conference.

Ideally situated just 19 miles from Silicon Valley and 40 minutes from San Francisco, the hotel offers easy access to the Bay Area’s attractions and is conveniently located 9.4 miles from SFO Airport. 

Rooms are $179/night*  for a 2-night stay, with a March 27 cutoff to secure the discounted rate.

Use booking code HTAOCH767 to reserve your room within the HTA-CA hotel block at the special discounted price (TBA).
Check-in: 4:00 PM | Check-out: 11:00 AM.

*Taxes and fees not included

Book your stay

Booking for this event is now open

HTA-CA LIVE: NextGen Hands - New Directions in Hand Therapy & Surgery

Registration Fees:
Early bird registration is $500 when you register by February 15, 2026.
After February 15, the standard registration rate will be $550.

Contact for Questions:
If you need assistance, you can reply directly to your confirmation email or contact us at [email protected].

Register Now

14th Annual HTACA Conference - 2025

conference topics

18

Sat
  • Peripheral nerve injuries
  • CRPS management and assessments
  • Denervation and reinnervation in the hand
  • Trauma management: Surgeon and therapist’s perspective
  • Elbow tendinopathy: Differential diagnosis and management
  • Ultrasound in therapy
  • Return to sports for high level athletes
  • Management of pediatric population from a surgeon and therapist perspective
  • Orthotic intervention: Tips and tricks
  • Podium presentations: Innovative ideas in orthotic management

19

Sun

Why the 15th Annual HTA-CA Conference is Essential

Bridge Theory and Practice with Dual Perspective Learning

  • Experience the rare opportunity to learn from both renowned hand surgeons and master CHTs in collaborative sessions. Understand the complete patient journey from surgical intervention through therapeutic outcomes for more coordinated, effective care.

Expand Your Network in the Heart of the Bay Area

  • Build lasting professional relationships during dedicated networking events, cocktail hours, and breaks. Connect with peers facing similar challenges and industry leaders shaping the future of hand therapy—all in one of California’s most vibrant regions.

Maximize Your Professional Development

  • Earn up to 13.0 Contact Hours (pending CBOT and CPTA approval) toward your CHT renewal and state licensure requirements while investing in your clinical expertise and career growth.

Conference Topics Spotlight

This year’s conference brings together cutting-edge education across the full spectrum of hand therapy and surgery, including:

  • Nerve repairs and rehabilitation

  • Pain science and treatment

  • PIP injuries: new surgical techniques and therapy management

  • Ultrasound-guided assessments

  • Return to sports

  • Rheumatology

  • Orthoses—new innovations and foundational approaches

  • Digit arthroplasties

Meet our Speakers


Mione

Lauren Perlmutter Mione, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT

Read Bio

Jennifer Chan, OTR/L, CHT

OT and Pediatric Hand Therapist at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital
Read Bio

Margaret Cooke, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Read Bio

Jared Vagy PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

Climbing Injury Expert and Movement Science Educator
Read Bio

Dr. Joshua Richards, MD

Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon
Read Bio

Dr. Rudolph Buntic, MD

Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship Director at The Buncke Clinic.
Read Bio

Dr. Anne Elizabeth Goldring, MD

Sports and Spine Physiatrist at Stanford Medicine
Read Bio

Dr. Tara Packham (ASHT)

Dr. Tara Packham, OTReg.(Ont.), PhD: Occupational therapist, researcher and educator
Read Bio

Coming Soon!

Sponsor & exhibitor

Become a Vendor

Become a vendor and showcase your solutions to an active community of hand therapists and clinic leaders.
Register Now
Mione

Lauren Perlmutter Mione, MSOT, OTR/L, CHT

Lauren Mione is an occupational therapist and Certified Hand Therapist. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 2012 and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University in 2015. She currently works at Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center associated with Washington University In St. Louis. Prior to Milliken, she worked at Franciscan Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston and Shriners Hospitals for Children St. Louis. Lauren focuses on treating athletes of all levels, as well as children and adults dealing with trauma, fractures, arthritis, tendon and nerve injuries. Lauren has a niche expertise in working with children with congenital differences, and she also provides rehabilitation for individuals undergoing breast cancer treatment and reconstruction. In addition to her clinical practice, she collaborates with mission trip groups to provide evaluation and treatment for children and families in the Caribbean islands. As the Social Media Committee Lead for the ASHT Outreach Division, she helps create dynamic content to drive membership engagement, highlight ASHT’s offerings and initiatives, and increase public awareness of hand and upper extremity care. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, running and tennis, baking, and creating graphic design.

Jennifer Chan, OTR/L, CHT

OT and Pediatric Hand Therapist at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital

Jennifer Chan is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist working at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. A graduate of the University of Washington, Jennifer has been an occupational therapist for almost 40 years. Jennifer’s career has primarily been in the provision of OT/hand therapy for pediatric patients in hospital and outpatient settings. Her role at LPCH includes treating patients with congenital hand differences, brachial plexus injuries, post traumatic injuries, and participating in a specialty clinic for patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). 

As a hand therapist, Jennifer works closely with the patient’s medical team including surgeons, physicians, support staff, and caregivers. Working collaboratively to motivate patients to improve their hand function and enfold the caregivers as part of the rehabilitation team provides opportunities and challenges. Strategies often need to be play based, creative, and unique. 

Jennifer has participated in overseas medical missions to southeast Asia and Africa and has presented on topics of pediatric hand therapy and provision of OT and hand therapy for persons with EB. She has participated in the development and authorship of an international clinical practice guideline for occupational therapy for EB. One of Jennifer’s goals is to help to establish a platform for training hand therapists on congenital hand diagnoses and the provision of hand therapy to the pediatric population and their families.

Margaret Cooke, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery

Dr. Cooke is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She has a strong clinical interest in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery for adult and pediatric patients. She is dual fellowship trained in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery and Pediatric & Congenital Hand Surgery.

As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Cooke’s goal is to alleviate pain and improve hand, wrist, and elbow function so that her patients can return to the activities they enjoy. Her primary clinical interests are nerve compression (carpal tunnel), nerve injuries (traumatic/lacerations), joint instability/arthritis (degenerative conditions of the hand wrist and elbow), sports/athletic injuries, fracture care, and pediatric & congenital conditions of the hand and upper extremity.

Dr. Cooke utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach in order to provide comprehensive care for each patient. She works closely with colleagues from oncology, radiology, physical therapy, and other specialties. Her team includes certified hand therapists, cast technicians, medical assistants, and patient care coordinators. Together, Dr. Cooke and her team are committed to providing the best possible care for patients.

She invites patient referrals as early as possible when an upper extremity problem is suspected. She ensures a trusting relationship with referring physicians (whether primary care providers or specialists) by staying in communication so they understand and are comfortable with her recommendations.

In addition to patient care, Dr. Cooke has enjoyed contributing to her field through research. Among Dr. Cooke’s clinical research interests is fracture healing, including gene expression following administration of medication to stimulate bone repair. She has authored articles on topics like infection prediction and pain management after surgical repair of fractures. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, Osteoarthritis & Cartilage, Spine, and Transplantation. She also co-wrote the chapter “The History of Carpal Tunnel” for the textbook Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Median Neuropathies.

Dr. Cooke’s honors include a Howard Hughes Research Fellowship, an Outstanding Chief Resident Research Award, and recognition for authoring one of the top ten Foot & Ankle research papers at the 2016 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons conference.

In addition to her practice in the U.S., Dr. Cooke has traveled abroad as a physician volunteer to provide surgical services in underserved areas where there is no access to hand surgery specialists. In partnership with the surgeon-founded nonprofit organization Touching Hands, she has performed hand surgeries on adult and pediatric patients in Honduras. Dr. Cooke also has traveled with Shriners Hospital to treat children in Davao, Philippines.

Jared Vagy PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS

Climbing Injury Expert and Movement Science Educator

Jared Vagy is a Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of Southern California. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from USC and completed a one-year residency in orthopedics followed by a one-year fellowship in movement science. He is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Dr. Vagy also serves as a mentor in both the Orthopedic Residency and the Upper Extremity Elite Athlete Fellowship programs.

He is considered an international authority on rock climbing injuries and is a peer-reviewed, published author in the field. He is the author of the Amazon #1 best-selling Climbing Injury-Free and the forthcoming book The Resilient Climber.

With over 15 years of clinical experience treating climbers of all levels, Dr. Vagy works with athletes ranging from beginners to many of the top climbers in the world. He is an accomplished rock climber, ice climber, and alpinist, and continues to pursue and explore the adventures these disciplines offer.

Dr. Joshua Richards, MD

Orthopedic Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeon

Dr. Richards is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery and has a Certified Additional Qualification for Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery. For over 15 years he has specialized in the treatment of ligamentous, joint, tendon, nerve and bone injuries of the Hand, Elbow, Wrist and Shoulder.

He has served the Bay Area community as a UCSF Assistant Professor as a volunteer educator at San Francisco General Hospital, by teaching and treating complex trauma at the Alameda County Level One Trauma Center-Highland Hospital, and through various volunteer roles on athletic fields around the Bay.

Dr. Richards obtained his Bachelors Degree in Neurobiology at Cornell University, his Masters of Public Health at Columbia University, and his Medical Degree at New York Medical College.

He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the San Francisco Orthopedic Residency Program. He then returned to Cornell University’s Hospital for Special Surgery to complete his fellowship training in hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgery.

Until joining Stanford in 2023, he had been in private practice in the East Bay since 2006. He has volunteered locally in a variety of organizations and internationally on several continents.

Dr. Rudolph Buntic, MD

Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship Director at The Buncke Clinic.

Dr. Buntic is the Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship Director at The Buncke Clinic. He completed his post-graduate residency training in general and plastic surgery at Stanford University, followed by a fellowship in hand and microsurgery at Davies Medical Center in San Francisco under the mentorship of Drs. Harry and Gregory Buncke.

Dr. Buntic is board certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds additional board certification in the Subspecialty of Surgery of the Hand. He serves as an Associate Professor Affiliated in Plastic Surgery at Stanford University and is a member of the Clinical Faculty at the University of California.

He is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery. Dr. Buntic has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters and has presented nationally on a wide range of topics in plastic, hand, and microsurgery.

Dr. Anne Elizabeth Goldring, MD

Sports and Spine Physiatrist at Stanford Medicine

Dr. Goldring is a board-certified, fellowship-trained physiatrist with Stanford Health Care Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. She is clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Goldring completed a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, followed by fellowship training in Sports and Spine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Dr. Goldring’s clinical practice focuses on the non-operative management of musculoskeletal injuries and spine disorders. She specializes in delivering comprehensive care for a range of conditions, including sports-related injuries, osteoarthritis, neck, and back pain. She is focused on optimizing patient function, with the goal of helping patients return to their desired activities and prevent future injury. She believes that movement is medicine and wants to help patients achieve active, healthy lifestyles. She provides guidance throughout a physical rehabilitation course with personalized physical therapy prescriptions and exercise plans. When necessary, she also offers more aggressive interventions like injection therapies or surgical referrals. Her practice includes the use of diagnostic electromyograms (EMGs), ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal injections, shockwave therapy, Ortho biologics, such as platelet rich plasma (PRP), and fluoroscopic-guided lumbosacral spine injections.

Dr. Goldring has published articles in PM&R, Journal of Surgical Research, and The Physician and Sportsmedicine. She has delivered presentations and lectures all over the nation, including in Chicago, New Orleans, and New York. Her research and presentations have covered topics ranging from women’s sports medicine, improving medical education curriculum, ergonomic interventions in the workplace, and the impact of intensive lifestyle medicine programs on musculoskeletal pain.

Dr. Goldring is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Spine Intervention Society. She has provided sideline coverage at multiple athletic events, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Long Island Nets basketball, and United Soccer League (USL) games.

Dr. Tara Packham (ASHT)

Dr. Tara Packham, OTReg.(Ont.), PhD: Occupational therapist, researcher and educator

Dr. Tara Packham, OTReg.(Ont.), PhD is an occupational therapist, researcher and educator in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario Canada.  She has over 25 years of clinical experience in hand therapy, and a passion for advancing care of painful hand conditions. Her research addresses clinical measurement and moving evidence into practice, often at the intersection of the topic areas of pain and upper extremity disorders. She has contributed to over 80 peer reviewed publications and several book chapters.  Tara is an active member of the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists and an officer of the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome special interest group at the International Association for the Study of Pain.  She is currently serving as Editor-in-Chief at Hand Therapy and as an editorial board member for the Journal of Hand Therapy.