Donald G. Pitts

Donald G. Pitts, OTD, MS, OTR/L, CHT is a nationally esteemed occupational therapist, certified hand therapist, educator, and executive leader with over three decades of expertise in upper extremity rehabilitation, industrial ergonomics, and orthotic innovation. He currently serves as CEO of Commonwealth Hand and Physical Therapy, Commonwealth Hand Technology, and Bluegrass Properties, leading a multi-site rehabilitation network recognized for its excellence in upper extremity care.

Dr. Pitts holds a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and has served in numerous academic roles, including professorship at Spalding University’s doctoral occupational therapy program and advisory faculty for the University of Kentucky’s Occupational Medicine Department. He is also a long-time consultant for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, where he designs ergonomic systems and return-to-work pathways for industrial injury management.

A U.S. Army veteran and former Master Fitness Trainer, Dr. Pitts has dedicated over 10 years as a lead educator for the U.S. Army’s 7/8 Trauma on the Battlefield program, training military personnel in advanced rehabilitation strategies for complex combat injuries. His experience bridges military, clinical, and academic domains, enabling him to bring evidence-based solutions to high-risk, high-performance environments.

He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, and is a frequent national and international lecturer at forums such as ASHT, ASSH, AAHS, and AAOS. His clinical research focuses on tendon rehabilitation, cumulative trauma disorders, and functional recovery within mass production and military systems.

Dr. Pitts is the former Chair of the American Hand Therapy Foundation and a long-serving board member of the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Beyond his professional contributions, he is a devoted husband of 39 years and the proud father of six children. His life’s work reflects a deep commitment to service, family, education, and advancing the field of occupational and hand therapy across all sectors of care.

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