Karen M. Mainzer, OT

Karen Mainzer, OT, is an occupational therapist at Intermountain Health's Riverton Hospital specializing in hand therapy. She supports patients and their families in Riverton and surrounding communities and helps them regain functionality in their upper extremities. During her nearly 25 years of experience, she has developed an enthusiasm and respect for the nervous system and each patient's pain experience. Karen is known for listening empathetically to patients to collaborate in creating treatment plans centered on their functional goals.

After being raised in St. Louis and graduating from the University of Kansas, Karen jumpstarted her career by working alongside hand surgeons and burn survivors at the University of Kansas Hospital. Her love of travel and art history led her to West Yorkshire, England, where she worked as a hand therapist for a year. This experience was a perfect launchpad for seeing many beautiful European places. When she returned to the Midwest, Karen studied and received a Certification in Hand Therapy (CHT) in 2005. 

Her passion for traveling is a family affair. Six years ago, Karen's family of five relocated to Utah to explore the Mountain West. In doing so, she discovered an outdoorsy side and now enjoys snowy winters, skiing, hiking, trailer camping, and gorgeous summer evenings.