The Clinic
The Hand Therapy & Occupational Therapy Center provides specialized, skilled and compassionate rehabilitation for hand and upper extremity orthopedic injuries. A therapist-owned, outpatient clinic established in 2008, our staff is committed to serving those recovering from any injury, surgery, arthritic or congenital/genetic hand and upper extremity issue that is interfering with the ability to perform daily, work and leisure activities.
The Therapists
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Marji Hajic, OTR/L, BCPR, CHT
California Licensed Occupational Therapist Nationally Registered Occupational Therapist AOTA Board Certification in Physical Rehabilitation Certified Hand Therapist - HTCC (national) California Hand Therapy Certification California Physical Agent Modalities Certification |
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Memberships:
ASHT (American Society of Hand Therapists AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) AAHS (American Association for Hand Surgery ASSH (American Society for Surgery of the Hand HTA-CA (Hand Therapy Association of California HTSGLA (Hand Therapy Society of Greater LA) |
Born and raised in Northern California, Marji graduated from San Jose State University with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1990. Marji began specializing in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation early in her career, training with a Board Certified Hand Surgeon and participating in Hand Clinics with orthopedic surgeons at a busy county hospital. She is passionate about providing hand therapy services and is skilled in the therapeutic assessment and rehabilitation of hand and upper extremity injuries, in wound care, and in the fabrication of custom orthotics. She founded the Hand Therapy & Occupational Fitness Center of Santa Barbara in 2008 with the assistance of her husband and clinic manager, Steven Hajic.
The clinic specializes in outpatient, orthopedic treatment of a wide range of traumatic, repetitive and arthritic injuries. |
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David Benavides, OTR/L, CHT
California Licensed Occupational Therapist Nationally Registered Occupational Therapist California Hand Therapy Certification California Physical Agent Modalities Certification |
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David Benavides, OTR/L, graduated in 2018 with a MA in Occupational Therapy from USC. Having grown up playing the saxophone and guitar, David has always been fascinated with the function and ability of the hand to be used in a multitude of different ways throughout the day, whether it be for leisure, work, or anything in between. After completing two successful clinical internships at therapist-owned outpatient hand therapy clinics in Burbank and Encino, David knew that hand therapy was the path that he wanted to follow. He steadfastly pursued and achieved the designation as a Certified Hand Therapist, a rigorous undertaking that demonstrates a high level of competence in hand therapy practice. David's areas of interest include orthotic fabrication, wound care, and traumatic upper-extremity injuries.
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Kate Silverman, OTR/L, CHT
California Licensed Occupational Therapist Nationally Registered Occupational Therapist 
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Kate is a San Francisco native and received her Masters of Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt University in Northern California. Kate began to specialize in injuries of the hand and upper extremity while in Boston, working primarily with musician’s injuries, then broadening her experience working with orthopedic hand and upper extremity injuries. Kate is certified in Active Release Technique.
Kate eventually finally found her way back to her home state of CA, working in Santa Monica before relocating to Santa Barbara following the tragic Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025. Kate has a passion for fitness, with a deep love for hiking and the outdoors. Kate often incorporates the importance of general wellness/ exercise/ life balance as a major component of healing. Kate is a mom to two spunky girls and one loving dog, Cooper. |
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