Awards

Shining Star Award

The Shining Star Award began in 2003 by Kim Granhaug and the TSHT Board of Directors. The idea for this award was generated by Karen Griggs' editorial response in our chapter newsletter to an article written by Ken Flowers in the Journal of Hand Therapy (Jan/March 2003). In the article, Mr. Flowers commented that his own list of shining stars of the next generation was shockingly short. In the former Texas chapter, and now the Texas Society for Hand Therapy, we have a long list of selfless volunteers who spend many hours every year on various projects at the state and national level. The Shining Star Award is presented each year and nominated, and voted on, by the Board of Directors.

Eligibility Criteria:

Active and participating member of the Texas Society for Hand Therapy

Have served on the Board of Directors of TSHT for more than one year

Recognized as a strong contributor to the TSHT mission

Shining Star Award Recipients

Nancy Geers Award

Nancy Geers was an inspirational person and role model for those who were blessed to know her and know of her legacy. She was born March 5, 1952 and died April 21, 2000 after a long illness. She was dedicated to and proud of her profession, and her actions spoke for themselves.

Nancy had many notable accomplishments in the field of hand therapy and promoted our field with a great passion. She received a B.S. in 1975 from Texas Woman’s University. She was an officer in several campus and professional organizations and was a member of the Delta Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon. In 1997, she was a guest lecturer for the Texas Tech University School of Occupational Therapy and was nominated to the Ethics Committee of ASHT. She served on the board for the Texas Society for Hand Therapy as Historian. During her time as Historian, she put together an incredible history of our chapter and designed the first chapter logo with TEXASHT woven into the state of Texas.

In 1982, Nancy opened her own hand therapy clinic in Longview, Texas. One year later, she was involved in a serious car accident and spent many months recovering in Midland, Texas. After her recovery, she worked with Hospice of Midland for a period of time. She reopened a successful hand therapy practice that she eventually had to close in 1996 due to her failing health. In 1999, she conducted a 13 week seminar on fibromyalgia. She further developed support groups for individuals with fibromyalgia in Midland and Odessa. At the time of her death in 2000, she worked as a consultant for Healthsouth.

The recipient of the Nancy Geers Award receives Lifetime Membership to the Texas Society for Hand Therapy along with complimentary attendance at the annual education conference. In honor of Nancy Geers’ dedication to promoting our profession, an honorarium was established in 2002 by Kim Granhaug, OTR, CHT to recognize those who promote hand therapy. The award is presented every other year and nominated by the members of TSHT during the annual education conference.

Eligibility Criteria:

Recognized as a strong supporter of the field of hand therapy

Cannot hold an Active membership with the Texas Society for Hand Therapy (Active members are CHTs)

Nancy Geers Award Recipients

Distinguished in Excellence and Education Award

In 2018, the Texas Society for Hand Therapy created an award for a member that stands out among our organization for educating our members through lectures during the TSHT annual conference, mentoring therapists in their area, or organizing other educational opportunities for hand therapists. The Distinguished in Excellence and Education Award recognizes our members’ educational contributions and their relationship with TSHT and the hand therapy community. This award is presented every other year and nominated, and voted on, by the Board of Directors.