Debra Sturm, MSOTR OTD CHT CLT

Debra Sturm, OTD, MSOT, OTR, CHT, CLT, is a Senior Staff Therapist at Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of complex upper extremity conditions. A Certified Hand Therapist since 2003, Dr. Sturm has nearly three decades of clinical experience with expertise in postoperative rehabilitation, peripheral nerve injuries, orthotic intervention, and evidence-based hand therapy. Dr. Sturm earned her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Indiana University and serves as adjunct faculty for multiple Occupational Therapy programs. She is committed to advancing hand therapy through clinician education, mentorship, and the development of innovative treatment approaches. She has been an invited speaker at regional hand therapy conferences, presenting on upper extremity rehabilitation, manual therapy, anatomy, and orthotic management, and serves as an HTCC mentor. Her clinical practice poster highlights a custom orthosis developed to address the complex functional challenges associated with combined median and ulnar nerve palsy. Originally presented as an educational lecture, the orthosis has continued to evolve through years of clinical application and refinement, reflecting a passion for creating practical, patient-centered solutions that improve upper extremity function.