Istanbul, May 8, 2025 — The conference titled “Meeting the Hand with Therapy and the Occupational Therapist’s Perspective in Clinical Practice”, which addressed current approaches and clinical practices in the field of hand rehabilitation, was held at Istanbul Gelisim University’s E Block TUSI Conference Hall with high attendance.
Organized by the Occupational Therapy and Community Rehabilitation Club, the event attracted significant interest from occupational therapy students and faculty members alike.
The opening speech was delivered by Dr. Beyza Aslı Bilsel, Vice Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at Gelişim University. The event’s moderator and keynote speaker, Occupational Therapist Sümeyra Ateş, shared both her professional experiences and clinical case examples with the participants.
At the end of the program, a plaque of appreciation was presented to Sümeyra Ateş by Dr. Beyza Aslı Bilsel and the President of the Occupational Therapy and Community Rehabilitation Club, in recognition of her valuable contributions and insights. The gesture was warmly applauded by the audience.
Sümeyra Ateş, an alumna of Istanbul Gelişim University’s Occupational Therapy Department, currently works as an occupational therapist at Çam and Sakura City Hospital. Her expertise in hand rehabilitation and real-world clinical experience offered inspiring insights to students.
While emphasizing the role of hand rehabilitation within occupational therapy, Ateş also highlighted the importance of building sincere and empathetic communication with patients. One of the most moving moments of the conference came when she recounted a patient who, prior to therapy, described her hand as something she “carried like a bag.” After completing therapy, the patient regained full hand function and was able to use it independently — a testament to the transformative power of occupational therapy.
During the Q&A session at the end of the conference, Ateş sincerely answered all questions from the audience, enriching her responses with personal clinical experiences. Her presentation, filled with real-life case examples, maintained high engagement throughout.
One attendee asked, “Occupational therapy is such a broad field. What led you to specialize in hand rehabilitation?” Ateş responded:
“One of the main reasons I chose hand rehabilitation was because I realized I gained the highest sense of professional satisfaction in this field. That sense of fulfillment is very important to me, and I knew I wanted to pursue and deepen my expertise here.”
Another question focused on patient continuity in the therapy process: “How do you guide your patients to maintain continuity in their daily lives during therapy?” Ateş replied:
“Before each session, I always ask my patients how they’ve been feeling and what they’ve done since the last session. I use this feedback to assess their progress and tailor the current session accordingly. This approach allows me to create a personalized and effective roadmap that supports their daily functioning and well-being.”
The primary aim of the conference was to promote awareness of hand rehabilitation, emphasize its importance within occupational therapy, and inspire students to explore the field further. By the end of the event, students had the opportunity to consolidate their theoretical knowledge and broaden their professional vision.
