Our Team
Meet your Hand Therapists in Bellevue
Clyde Johnson, PT, CHT
Clyde graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Physical Therapy in 1991. He received his Certified Hand Therapist credential in 2000. Clyde takes a collaborative approach with surgeons and referring providers to help maximize therapeutic interventions and limit disability after traumatic injuries. His goal for each patient is to help them define and achieve functional goals in the context of work, leisure and home activities. Clyde specializes in the design and fabrication of simple to complex custom splints used for post-operative and conservative management of hand injuries. In addition to his clinical role, Clyde is actively involved in the education of peers in the specialty of hand therapy. He has authored and has published a case study in the Journal of Hand Therapy and authored a chapter on hand therapy and treatment protocols in the textbook “Principles of Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation” (3rd edition). He has presented yearly as guest faculty for upper extremity educational courses in Seattle and Bellevue since 2005. Course topics include treatment of chronic pain, hand and upper extremity injuries, arthritis and sports injuries. In addition to spending time with his wife and three children, Clyde enjoys skiing, cooking and home improvement projects.
Megan Swanson, OTR/L, CHT
Megan graduated with her Masters of Occupational Therapy Degree from the University of Washington in 2007. After graduation, she spent time in southern California where she worked in many settings of occupational therapy including, outpatient and school based pediatrics, inpatient acute hospital care and hand therapy. Megan earned her Certified Hand Therapy Certification (CHT) in 2013. Megan is passionate about further learning and has been involved in educating her peers at the yearly Overlake Symposium. She was also a contributing author in Principles of Hand Surgery and Therapy, third edition, and co-author of a peer reviewed case study published in the Journal of Hand Therapy. Megan takes a team approach to hand therapy rehabilitation. Collaboration with the doctor and learning the patients’ needs/goals are how Megan designs her individualized therapy plan for each patient. Megan takes a special interest in treating patients with arthritis, fractures, wounds, and tendon injuries. Outside of work, Megan stays busy enjoying time with her husband and two small children, and when time allows, skiing, biking, and keeping up with college football (Go Dawgs!).
Kate Osborne, OTR/L, CHT
Kate attended the University of Washington for her undergraduate education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree in 1997. She then went on to attend the University of Puget Sound, graduating with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree in 2000. It was during a fieldwork assignment at UPS that Kate first developed an interest in the specialized field of hand therapy. Following graduation, Kate worked as an inpatient rehabilitation occupational therapist in a hospital in Tucson, Arizona. After relocating back to Washington state in 2005, Kate decided to pursue her interest in hand therapy, earning her Certification in Hand Therapy credential in 2008. Kate continues to be fascinated by the complexity and intricacies of the anatomy of the hand, and enjoys the problem solving and creativity that goes into helping each individual patient meet their goals. She has a special interest in treating post-surgical cases and in custom splinting. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time outside with her family and friends, running and biking on trails and roads, and supporting Seattle sports teams.
Sandra Cawrse, OTR/L, CHT
Sandy graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy in 1995. After completing 2 years of traveling occupational therapy in the southeastern US and California, Sandy returned to Seattle and focused on treating hand injuries. She became a certified hand therapist in 2000 and has specialized in hand therapy ever since. Her professional interests include return of function after an arm or hand injury, post-surgical management, arthritis treatment, wound care and traumatic injuries such as fractures. She enjoys educating patients to the anatomy behind their injuries and working with her patients toward their goals for return of function. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and working on her house and yard.
Kate Manolopoulos, OTR/L, CHT
Kate graduated from the University of Washington with her Master of Occupational Therapy in 2016 and became a Certified Hand Therapist in 2019. Her hand therapy career began in Bellevue, WA, where she focused on post-operative care including custom orthosis fabrication. More recently, she spent two years as a traveling hand therapist, which included trauma hospitals in both Chicago and Salt Lake City. Through her traveling experience, she honed her skills in treating complex polytrauma before moving back to Seattle in 2023. Kate’s dedication to the field extends beyond her clinical practice. She is twice published in the Journal of Hand Therapy and is committed to advancing the field of hand therapy through mentorship and professional development. As a lifelong learner, she is always exploring the benefits of various treatment techniques and has been certified as both a vinyasa yoga instructor and Graston practitioner. Currently, she is learning fascial counterstrain techniques. She prides herself on taking a holistic approach to treatment, emphasizing patient education and clear communication to guide each person through their unique rehab journey. Beyond her work, Kate enjoys volleyball, camping, and spending time at the park with her life-partner, Luna the dog.
Julie Truong, COTA
Julie attended Washington State University for her undergraduate degree. Then she went on to attend PIMA Medical Institute, graduating with an Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy. She started in the health field as a Pharmacy Assistant and recognized that holistic care is her passion. This lead her to fall in love and pursue her career goals in Occupational therapy. Julie is passionate about continuing her education to help others achieve their goals. She enjoys the challenges of how complex and unique each hand injury may be and how there are many treatment options to address various conditions. Outside of work, Julie enjoys cooking, learning, and spending time with her three cats and husband.
Michael Saechao, COTA
Michael attended Pima Medical Institute, graduating with an Associate’s of science degree in Occupational Therapy. Prior to entering the field of rehabilitation, he knew he wanted to pursue hand therapy. He enjoys learning about the complexities of hand injuries, evidence-based treatment, and diverse techniques to help his patients return to prior levels of function. He wishes to continue his education and become a certified hand therapist in the future. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities such as tennis, swimming, volleyball, camping, & fishing.
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