Michael Smith

Director of Hand Therapy - PT, DPT, CHT, MBA

Michael is the founder and Director of the Hand Therapy Department at Movement for Life Physical Therapy. Now the largest group of Hand Therapy specialists in private practice in California. The majority of his time is spent both treating patients and as a mentor/clinical instructor for staff therapists and interns studying for the CHT specialty Board Exam for Hand Therapy.

To maximize patient outcomes, he regularly attends surgeries to observe the latest and varying techniques used by surgeons today to maintain close and clear communication with the physicians whose patients he treats. He collaborates with the clinical development committee of the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency program at Movement For Life Physical Therapy where he serves as an instructor in evaluation and treatment of the upper extremity for PTs preparing for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) exam. He is the first board-certified specialist in Hand Therapy (CHT) between Los Angeles and San Francisco with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Additionally, he is certified in myoelectric prosthetics through Touch Bionics.

Michael graduated pre-med with a B.S. in Biology from Fairfield University and his love of science led him subsequently to pursue study in the area of breast and ovarian cancer research where he received an Edmondson Fellowship at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. This exposed him to the trials faced by recovering patients and inspired him to enter the world of rehabilitation at the USC School of Physical Therapy; Biokinesiology. There he graduated with the nation's first entry level class offering the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree on the West Coast. Michael's primary area of study, as well as more than 28 years of specialty practice, has been orthopedic rehabilitation of the upper extremity including internships at Yale, City of Hope, Orthopedic Hospital of Los Angeles, and private practice at the Ventura Hand Center before coming to San Luis Obispo County in June of 2004.

On a personal level he can truly relate to his patients. Going through rehab following surgery for a broken hand while in PT school enables him to bring his own experience with surgery and hand therapy to bear daily in the clinic.

Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 1998

Grazidio School of Business, Pepperdine University, Malibu CA
Master of Business Administration, May 2004

Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
Bachelor of Science: Biology/Premed, May 1992
Double Minor: Philosophy and Studio Art

Troy McClanahan

PT, DPT, CHT

Troy was raised in Southern California before attending Cal Poly SLO. While there, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, he moved to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Arcadia University.

Troy began his second clinical rotation at Penn Medicine, where he discovered a fascination with the intricacies of the hand and took advantage of the opportunity to shadow both orthopedic and hand surgeons. Upon graduating in 2017, Troy returned to the Central Coast to join the Hand Therapy team at Movement for Life. In 2020, he earned his Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential and remains dedicated to ongoing research and evidence-based practice.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his two children, playing golf, and reading.

Education
Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Jan 2017

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, California
Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, Dec 2013
Minor: Psychology

Amy Gaffney

PT, DPT, CHT

Amy was born and raised in Southern California. She obtained her B.S. in Kinesiology from CSU San Bernardino and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of the Pacific. During her last internship training for her Doctorate, she had a rotation with a PT/OT hand specialist and fell in love with the specialty. Following graduation she pursued further orthopedic experience in outpatient clinics where she was the lead clinician for any hand/upper extremity injuries.

Subsequently, she accepted a position with Movement For Life in our specialized Hand Therapy Department in order to solely focus on treating elbows, wrists, and hands with a team of specialists in the field. Since joining the team, she completed the 4000 hours of mentored case work with patients with just upper extremity injuries required for application to sit for the national specialty exam and has become a Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) specialist herself.

She greatly enjoys getting patients back to living their lives, whether that involves regaining the ability to button a shirt or return to sport. She believes that no achievement is too small to celebrate with her patients.

Education

University of the Pacific, Stockton, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy, September 2019

California State University, San Bernardino, California

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, May 2017

Marissa Battaglia

PT, DPT. CHT

Marissa was born and raised in Atascadero, California, and spent her childhood on the Central Coast. She graduated from San Diego State University in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy, before returning to the Central Coast to work as a physical therapy aide in our Atascadero clinic.

After two years, Marissa moved to Miami, Florida, to attend the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in April 2021. During her time there, she developed a strong interest in hand therapy and completed her final clinical rotation with our Hand Therapy team in the San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria offices.

Since graduation, Marissa has focused on expanding her expertise in hand therapy. Her commitment to this specialty led her to successfully complete the rigorous national certification examination in 2025, earning her credential as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). She brings advanced knowledge and clinical expertise to the evaluation and treatment of all conditions affecting the hand and upper extremity. Marissa is passionate about building strong connections with her patients and takes great joy in celebrating their milestones throughout their recovery journey.

When she is not working, Marissa enjoys cooking, baking sourdough, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Education

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami, Florida

Doctor of Physical Therapy, April 2021

San Diego State University, San Diego, California

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an Emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy, May 2016

Megan Meisenheimer

PT, DPT, OTR/L, CHT

Megan discovered her passion for physical therapy and rehabilitation after recovering from competitive sports injuries. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Biology from UC Davis, where she served as a student athletic trainer for the Division I Football team, Track & Field teams, and Women’s Soccer team. She then completed her graduate studies with a dual-degree program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, earning both a Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a Masters in Occupational Therapy

While completing her graduate studies, Megan developed a strong interest in Hand Therapy and has since pursued additional continuing education, mentoring and credentialing to further her knowledge in this area. In 2018, she completed her Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) national credential which requires passing a rigorous examination. Megan is passionate about mentoring and teaching future hand therapists and helped establish a nationally accredited Hand Therapy Fellowship program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Now based on the Central Coast, Megan brings her specialized expertise in orthopedic and hand rehabilitation to the local community. Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two children, reading, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Education

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, San Marcos, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy December 2015

Master of Occupational Therapy August 2014

Lynne Harvey

Front Office Manager

Bio coming soon!