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About The Hand & Wrist Specialists of the Palm Beaches

Laura Kolshak, M.D., M.S.

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Dr. Laura Kolshak is a fellowship-trained, orthopaedic hand surgeon and Board Certified Independent Medical Examiner.  She specializes in care of the hands and upper extremities with offices throughout Palm Beach County, FL.  

 

Dr. Kolshak has a passion for helping her patients return quickly to the lifestyles they love. She does this using the most minimally invasive surgical procedures, or non-surgically through means such as injections, occupational and physical therapy, and splinting. 

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Board Certified Independent Medical Examiner (IME)

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Independent medical examinations (IMEs) are evaluations performed for the purpose of clarifying clinical and case issues.  These examinations are performed by an evaluator who is not involved in the care of the examinee. IMEs are an important component of workers' compensation systems.  They are also used to clarify other disability or liability associated cases. Impairment evaluations are frequently used to provide a more objective understanding around the impact of an injury or illness.

 

Education

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  • Miami University, Oxford, OH- Microbiology

  • Hamilton College, Clinton, NY- Bachelor of Arts, Biology

  • SUNY at Buffalo/Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY- Master of Science, Natural Sciences

  • St. Georges University, Grenada, W.I. -Doctor of Medicine (Honors)

  • University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY- Orthopedic Research Fellowship

  • University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY- Orthopedic Residency

  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA- Fellowship in Surgery of the Hand and Upper Extremity

  

Distinctions

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  • Board Certified Independent Medical Examiner

  • Graduated from medical school with Honors

  • Outstanding Resident Presentation Award (2002)

  • Peer Review Committee Member Palms West Hospital, Past

  • Expert Advice Interviews, Fox Channel 29 News, Health Corner; Wellington Regional Medical Center Community Newsletter, Past

  • Faculty Member for AO Course for Operating Room Personnel, Past

 

Professional Societies

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  • Palm Beach Medical Society, Member

  • Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Member

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Candidate Member

  • Florida Medical Association

 

Memberships

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  • Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches

  • Greater Lantana Chamber of Commerce

 

Biography

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Dr. Kolshak is an orthopaedic surgeon with specialization in hand and upper extremity conditions, such as arthritis, nerve compression, muscle and tendon injury, fracture care, and upper extremity dysfunction.

 

She has been associate and partner at both small and large orthopaedic groups, and now, practices at Hand & Wrist Specialists of the Palm Beaches. She currently serves on the Health Care Committee at the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, and is active at the Florida Women’s Business Center.

 

Dr. Kolshak has been active in both clinical and bench research during her Master’s Degree and Orthopaedic Research Fellowship. She has numerous publications in books and journals and has been involved in multiple local and national presentations. She takes pleasure in spending time with her family.

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Christopher Lehnhoff, Licensed Physician Assistant

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    A licensed Physician assistant with several years of experience in a hand and upper extremity surgery. Involved in all clinical aspects of new, established and post-operative patient care. Including history-taking, physical examinations, determining and establishing treatment plans, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, prescribing medications, performing in-office procedures such as arthrograms, joint and tendon sheath injections, I&D’s, and fracture reductions.  

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     Conducts clinical assessments and evaluations of athletic injuries and administered treatment to the injured athlete, ensuring positive patient outcomes. 

 

Served as Head Athletic Trainer for Northeast High School in Ft Lauderdale, FL.

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Education 

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- Master of Clinical Medical Science-Physician Assisant | 2000-2002 | Barry University, Miami Shores, FLorida

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Recipient of the annual Dean’s Clinical Scholarship for Physician Assistant students for outstanding academic performance. GPA of 3.7

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- Bachelor of Science-Athletic training | 1991-1995 | Barry University, Miami Shores, FL

 Graduated Cum Laude.  Athletic scholarship recipient for tennis.  Nationally ranked in singles and doubles.

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Completed clinical internships at North Miami High School, Health South, and with the Miami Dolphins. 

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Certification/ Licenses

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NCCPA Board Certified (scored in the 97th percentile).  Current Florida State Physician Assistant License. 

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Languages 

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Multi-lingual (fluent in English and Spanish)

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Carol M. Hatt OTR/L , Occupational Therapist | Fully Registered & Licensed

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 Carol M. Hatt works with patients to help them achieve a fulfilled and satisfied state in life through the use of "purposeful activity or interventions designed to achieve functional outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve, sustain or restore the highest possible level of independence."

 

​​ Carol plays a major role in the rehabilitation and recovery of patients who have upper limb injuries, which include, the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder girdle, and cervical region. She plays a significant role in liaising with Dr. Kolshak, Christopher Lehnhoff (PA), our patients, employers, and case managers, in order to provide customized client centered care. Carol uses an array of specialized assessments for planning of treatments and therapeutic interventions for conditions such as fractures, tendon repairs, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tennis elbow, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, and stroke recovery. Treatments may include exercise activities, massage, physical agent modalities (ultrasound, paraffin, electrical stimulation, thermal agents) custom orthosis fit/fabrication, adaptive equipment, and education for home programs, preventative care, and healthy work habits.

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Hand Therapy is a specialized field of occupational therapy and it requires therapists to be highly skilled and knowledgeable in upper limb anatomy, and this is an area where Carol emphasizes the therapeutic models that the profession practices which focus on occupation, and aims to return patients to their normal daily functions.​

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Education

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University of Michigan | Graduate Work in Public Health

 

Eastern Michigan University, Michigan | Bachelors of Science | Occupational Therapy        

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