Our Approach
Our approach at Hand + Physical Therapy NYC is to provide specialized, high-quality, and professional rehabilitation services for the whole body. Our history and expertise began as certified hand therapists and occupational therapists concentrating on upper extremity rehabilitation and specialized hand therapy for patients with conditions involving the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. However, our patients wanted more and we proudly answered the needs of our community. We expanded our expertise to include compassionate physical therapy for the whole body. We are proudly your trusted Hand + Physical Therapy partner to feel better.
We offer a personalized touch that is currently missing from larger institutions. The one-on-one attention our team provides during each hand therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports rehabilitation, splinting, and custom orthotics, ASTYM® appointment is an important differentiator from other providers. This type of individualized care is shown to significantly benefit patients recovering from an injury, surgery, or in need of tools to learn how to manage pain.
We’re different, and we’re proud of this distinction.
Meet Our Team
Michele Pasqualetto
BS, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, ASTYM OWNER
Michele has spent her career practicing in the specialty of upper extremity rehabilitation. Michele earned her specialization as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) in 2007 after working at some of New York’s best hospitals and trauma centers where she trained with some of the most highly regarded hand therapists, and orthopedic and plastic surgeons in the country. Michele has been published in the Hand Journal and has co-authored a chapter in the Hand Clinics book on Intrinsics of the Hand. She is a seasoned speaker who has been invited to speak both nationally and internationally and teaches as an adjunct professor at Touro and Hunter College. Michele, along with her colleagues, sponsor the Annual Lorna Ramos Conference on the Treatment and Management of Brachial Plexus injuries to educate other therapists, physicians, and health care providers in the treatment and management of hand and nerve injuries.
Katie Licata
MS, OTR/L, CHT, ASTYM
Katie graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology. After graduation, she worked as a Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in the Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry Department. While there, she fell in love with Occupational Therapy and began exploring the different settings it has to offer. She was offered a position at Hand + Physical Therapy NYC as the Patient Care Coordinator and there she developed an interest in the upper extremity. She then received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, completing clinical rotations at New York-Presbyterian and Project Renewal. Katie is passionate about providing comprehensive and individualized care to her clients. She is excited to rejoin the Hand + Physical Therapy NYC team as an Occupational Therapist.
Lauren Chan
OTD, OTR/L, Astym, CHT
Lauren earned her Doctorate and Master’s in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University, following her Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education and Psychology from New York University. She has extensive experience as a Certified Hand Therapist and Upper Extremity specialist, treating orthopedic and sports injuries. Dr. Chan is also passionate about treating pelvic health conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, pre- and post-natal discomfort, as well as bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. She is committed to empowering individuals through education, believing that a comprehensive understanding of the pelvic floor’s role and significance enables individuals to proactively manage their health and well-being. Born and raised in Singapore, Lauren enjoys spending time with her dog, family, and friends. In her free time, she can be found baking, reading, and riding her bike.
Karlie Brogan
MS, OTR/L, Astym
Karlie graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Science and continued her post-graduate education at Moravian for her Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She has experience as a Hand and Upper Extremity Therapist, treating orthopedic and sports injuries, and has also worked in Acute Care Rehab settings. She is currently working toward her CHT certification at Hand + Physical Therapy NYC. Karlie is passionate about treating her patients by radiating positive energy and empowering individuals to regain independence and participation in their preferred daily activities. In her free time, Karlie can be found running, reading, or cooking, and she loves to spend quality time with friends and family.
Vincent Liu
PT, DPT
Vincent graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from The College of Staten Island. He specializes in treating orthopedic and sports injuries among a varied patient population. He has experience working with weekend warriors, marathon runners, strength training athletes, high school and college athletes, and older adults. He enjoys working with post-surgical cases such as ACL reconstruction, meniscectomy, joint replacements, etc. Vincent utilizes movement screening, biomechanical analyses, and ergonomic assessments to optimize movement and prevent injury. Vincent believes one-on-one treatment sessions are optimal to strategically curate a plan for each individual in their rehab or performance optimization journey. Vincent uses an evidence-based approach where he incorporates the latest research evidence along with the patient values and lifestyle to optimize care. Vincent is currently working towards obtaining the orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) board certification and is taking varied continuing education courses to be on top of the most current research driven techniques. Vincent is most passionate about learning root-cause medicine, health optimization, and wellness and loves to share his latest findings with patients and colleagues.
Angell Chee
PT, DPT
Dr. Angell Chee is a New York State licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in treating orthopedic and sports injuries in a diverse clientele, including urban athletes, runners, high school, and college athletes. A graduate of CUNY College of Staten Island, Dr. Chee is a firm believer in individualized, one-on-one care, aligning evidence-informed practices with patient values to optimize outcomes.
With over 12 years of personal experience in strength training, Dr. Chee understands the importance of consistency in achieving goals, no matter the scale. He continuously builds upon his expertise by staying current on the latest treatment approaches through the Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) and the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Clinical Practice Guidelines, as he prepares for his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) board certification.
Dr. Chee has recently earned certifications in RRCA Level 1 Run Coaching and Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars (MAPS) MT-UC, further enhancing his specialized skill set. He is also advancing his manual therapy techniques through rigorous training with MAPS and will continue his training with the MT-3, and Intermediate Spine certification. His passion for fitness has led him to attend seminars with industry icons, focusing on topics such as assessment, warm-up protocols, and nutrition. His current passion project involves working on maximal speed and power output in sprinting.
Our Facility + Practice
The Hand + Physical Therapy practice combines proven state-of-the-art technology with research-based hands-on therapy to craft a highly individualized program for a better, healthier you.
