Takapuna Tony Faulkner
Takapuna Clinic Manager
Physiotherapist
BHSc (Physio), MNZAHT

Tony graduated from the Auckland Institute of Technology in 1997 with a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy. After graduating, he worked at Middlemore Hospital before traveling to England in 1999 where he developed an interest in hand therapy while working at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. He then worked in a senior role at the Manukau Super Clinic in hand therapy and St Andrews Center for Burns and Plastic Surgery in England before returning to New Zealand at the end of 2006 and joining the Hands On Rehabilitation team. In 2008 Tony was appointed to manage the Takapuna clinic as well as seeing a client caseload.

Jessica Porter
Occupational Therapist and Hand Therapist
BOccThy, Reg. Hand Therapist

Australian-born Jessica graduated from the University of Queensland (Australia) with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2004. She developed an interest in hands as a student and worked in public and private hospitals in general medical, rehabilitation and orthopaedic wards before taking the opportunity to cross the ditch and join Hands On Rehabilitation in November 2006. Jessica completed the AUT Hand and Upper Limb module in 2007.

Odele Stuart
Physiotherapist and Hand Therapist
BHSc(Physio), PGD (Dev. Studies),
Reg. Hand Therapist

Odele qualified from Auckland Institute of Technology with a BHSc (Physiotherapy) in 1994. She has worked as a physiotherapist and clinical educator before deciding to move into the specialist area of hand therapy in 2001, completing the hand therapy training program in 2002 and becoming fully registered in January 2004. Odele has worked in a variety of hand therapy clinics within Auckland over the past six to seven years, joining the Hands On Rehabilitation team in 2005. She has a strong interest in working alongside people in poverty and has completed a post graduate diploma in development studies, which has supported the volunteer work she does in India, in particular helping those affected by leprosy.

Evelyn Willmann
Physiotherapist and Hand Therapist
BPhty, Reg. Hand Therapist

Evelyn graduated from the University of Otago in 2003 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (merit). Her first graduate position was as a rotational physiotherapist at Tauranga Public Hospital. Evelyn gained valuable experience rotating through the following departments; orthopaedics, medicine, general surgical, musculoskeletal outpatients and rehabilitation.

In 2006, Evelyn travelled to Australia working in various locum positions in Queensland and NSW. This covered inpatient and outpatient settings and both acute and rehabilitation clients. Settling in Auckland in 2007.

Evelyn joins Hands On Rehabilitation working full time hours, she successfully completed her Hand and Upper Limb AUT post graduate module in 2008.

Katie Salter
Physiotherapist and Hand Therapist
BHSc (Physio), Reg. Hand Therapist

Katie graduated from the Auckland University of Technology, gaining her Physiotherapy degree in 2000. She then worked at Middlemore Hospital, gaining valuable experience whilst rotating through the various areas of Orthopaedics, Cardiorespiratory, Neuro Rehab, both acute and outpatient Burns / Plastics and Hand therapy, Paediatrics & Musculoskeletal outpatients.

Developing a special interest in hand therapy, Katie then went on to work in both hand therapy and outpatient physiotherapy departments on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW in 2003, where she was part of a working party which worked to develop an integrated hand therapy service. During this year, Katie also completed the Hand Therapy training programme, to become a registered hand therapist.

Moving back to Auckland at the beginning of 2004, Katie then worked at both the Forrest Hill and Albany clinics for a few years, before returning to Australia - this time to Sydney in 2008. Here Katie worked in both a busy private hand therapy department working closely with several hand surgeons as well as in the community setting furthering her hand therapy experience. Katie returned home to settle in Auckland in September 2009 and enjoys all aspects of hand therapy with areas of particular interest including scar management & PIPJ injuries.

Kirsty Neal
Physiotherapist
BHSc (Physio), BSc (Sport Sci), PGDip Teach, MNZAHT

Kirsty completed a Bachelor in Health Science (Physiotherapy) degree from Auckland University of Technology in 2009. During her studies she gained valuable experience with a clinical placement at Hands On Rehabilitation. Kirsty was also able to observe and work alongside one of our local, respected orthopaedic hand and upper limb surgeon’s.

Kirsty holds a degree in Exercise Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and has seven years experience running her own business as a massage therapist. In addition to this she is also a qualified clinical Pilate’s instructor.

Kirsty joins the team at Takapuna, Hands On Rehab. working part time whilst continuing her general musculoskeletal physiotherapy work in an established private clinic on the north shore.

Meredith Self
Physiotherapist & Hand Therapist
BA, BHSc(Physio), Reg. Hand Therapist

Meredith graduated from the School of Physiotherapy at the Auckland University of Technology in 2000. Prior to this, she had completed a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in English and History, at The University of Auckland. During her time as an undergraduate at AUT, Meredith developed an interest in hand therapy and has worked as a hand therapist within the private sector in Auckland since graduating. She held a role on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Hand Therapy Association in 2004/2005. Meredith has a particular interest in thumb and PIP joint injuries, splinting and complex cases.
Meredith is currently on maternity leave.

Emma Hedges
Occupational Therapist
BHSC (Occ. Therapy) MNZAHT

Emma graduated with a Bachelor in Heath Science (Occupational Therapy) from AUT in 2002. She held a graduate position at the Kidz First Child Development Team at Middlemore Hospital working as part of a multi disciplinary team treating and managing a variety of conditions including, cerebral palsy, congenital conditions and developmental delay.

Emma moved into vocational rehabilitation in 2005 within the private sector working with employers, ACC and other funders to facilitate individual recovery and safe return to work and function. Emma has recently joined the Hands On Takapuna team working part time whilst she continues her vocational rehabilitation work. Emma successfully completed the AUT Post Graduate Hand and Upper Limb module in 2008 and is undertaking further study towards her masters degree. Emma is currently on maternity leave.

Ann Davidson
Physiotherapist and Hand Therapist
Dip Phys, ADP (OMT), MNZAHT

Ann graduated from Otago School of Physiotherapy in 1982 and completed her post-graduate manipulative therapy at AUT in 1989. Since then she has developed her interest for Hand Therapy, pain management and acupuncture.

Ann has worked solely on the Shore since 1994, and for five years within her own Hand Therapy Clinic. A brief hiatus from physiotherapy to concentrate on the demands of her busy family sees Ann return to part-time practice full of enthusiasm to support her patients in their rehabilitation.

Lisa Roberts
Business Administrator

Lisa was born in London and moved to New Zealand in 1989. She has an extensive experience within the medical profession, working in roles ranging from receptionist and administration to practice management.

Lisa has worked alongside plastic and cosmetic surgeons, general medical practitioners and in hospitals. She joined Hands On Rehabilitation in 2004 and works part time in an administrative role from our Takapuna clinic.

Maree Stewart
Receptionist/Administration

Maree has lived with her family in Takapuna for the past 18 years. She regularly walks Takapuna, Milford and Devonport and has been recently joined by the new addition to her family, puppy ‘Ralph’.

Maree has enjoyed many years in residential real estate and recently joined our Hands On team providing full time reception and support at our new Takapuna clinic.