Our 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.
Our Therapists
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 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. |
David Benavides, OTR/L, CHT
California Licensed Occupational Therapist Nationally Registered Occupational Therapist Certified Hand Therapist - HTCC (national) California Hand Therapy Certification California Physical Agent Modalities Certification |
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, and now joins our clinic with a strong desire to pursue the rigorous Certified Hand Therapist specialty. David's areas of interest include orthotic fabrication, wound care, and traumatic upper-extremity injuries.
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Alex Withrow, OTR/L, CNS
California Licensed Occupational Therapist Nationally Registered Occupational Therapist Certified Neuro Specialist |
Alex Withrow, OTR/L, CNS graduated in 2022 with his doctor of occupational therapy degree from West Coast University. As an athlete and writer with a family of musicians, he understands how important the use of the hands are for engaging in meaningful activities. Having experienced several hand injuries himself, Alex's lived experiences help influence his treatment and connection with his patients.
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