Meridian Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist Earns Prestigious Certification in Hand Therapy

Jeff Breeden, an occupational health therapist at Meridian Rehabilitation in Neptune, has earned his certification in hand therapy (CHT) and is now credentialed as an expert in upper limb rehabilitation. The rigorous, voluntary certification is bestowed by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc., (HTCC), and required that Breeden met at least five years of clinical experience as an occupational therapist, a minimum of 4,000 hours in direct practice in hand therapy, and successfully completed an advanced clinical skills and theory exam in upper limb rehabilitation. There are only approximately 5,400 individuals worldwide who hold this marked designation and just over a dozen in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“Certainly people value and rely of the use of their hands and any loss of function through injury or accident is challenging to their lives,” says Joe Cofone, manager at Meridian Rehabilitation.  “We are proud to have Jeff on our team and to be able to offer his advanced skills to those recovering from traumatic hand injuries or surgeries or those trying to maximize function. The CHT credential is recognized by many surgeons as the hallmark for excellence in hand therapy.”

Meridian Health is one of the region’s most comprehensive providers of rehabilitation, offering two acute-care rehabilitation hospitals, five progressive sub-acute and long-term care rehabilitation facilities, 13 outpatient facilities, and a wide-range of in-home rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages.

Breeden has been an occupational therapist with Meridian Rehabilitation for 8 years, with all of his efforts focused in the outpatient setting treating hands and upper extremities. The Neptune location is affiliated with Jersey Shore University Medical Center and is located across the street from the hospital.

About Meridian Health

Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and outpatient centers. Meridian Health has consistently been rated among the top performing health systems in New Jersey for clinical quality, is one of the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For”, and is the recipient of numerous state and national recognitions for patient care and nursing excellence.