Kelly Davison

Director

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips)

Kelly is an experienced physiotherapist and one of the founders of Hands On Rehabilitation. She has an extensive background in hand therapy, which started at Middlemore Hospital and developed into private practice, teaching, supervising and has also been involved in governance roles with Hand Therapy New Zealand from 2016 - 2020.

Together, with co-founder Tania, Kelly brings together a team of like-minded, committed hand therapy professionals who pride themselves on providing an expert, individualised and caring service to their hand therapy clients.

Tania Stephenson

Director

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips), MHSC

Tania is a co-founder of Hands On Rehabilitation and a physiotherapist. Her varied and dynamic background includes work in both the public hospital and private practice (here and abroad), as well as extensive post graduate study in manipulative therapy and Western acupuncture. She gained her Masters of Health Science in 2002. Tania’s commitment to hand therapy is highlighted in her continual training and supervision of Hands On rehabilitation staff, she loves to see therapists learn and evolve in their practice. She also has a strong focus on developing leadership and organising education opportunities that benefit the entire hand therapy profession.

Outside of work Tania keeps busy with her young family and still enjoys the camaraderie and competitiveness of hockey.

Rachel Atkinson

Whangarei Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Reg. Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy

Originally from Whangarei, Rachel graduated from Auckland Institute of Technology in 1987. Following three years of broad physiotherapy experience both at Waikato hospital and in the UK, she returned home and was employed at Middlemore hospital. It was here she was introduced to the exciting specialty of Burns and Plastics rehabilitation. This included hand therapy; Rachel spent over a year in this outpatient role enjoying the art of splint making, educating patients and assisting them achieve their goals of returning to work, home tasks,sport and leisure.

Rachel gained Registered Hand Therapist status in 2001. She later served two years on the HTNZ executive committee as secretary and has also held a sales & education role in the hand therapy field.

Rachel opened Drury’s Moving Hands in 2006 and then joined the Hands On Rehabilitation group in 2018.

Rachel especially enjoys treating multi trauma, those with complex pain and problem solving to make alternative splints.

Rachel has returned to her home town of Whangarei and is enjoying the Sunshine and lifestyle that Northland offers.

Alison Coyle

Hibiscus Coast Team Leader & Educator

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BSc (Occupational Therapy), PGD (Acupuncture), MHPrac.

Alison, a South-African trained Occupational Therapist, is the manager of our Hibiscus Coast clinic. Her hand therapy knowledge and expertise are diverse and comprehensive, particularly in (but in no way limited to!) the areas of splinting and paediatrics.  Alison joined Hands On in 2004 as one of its founding therapists, following considerable international experience, as well as a role leading Middlemore’s Burns, Plastics and Hand Therapy team. She continues to manage the training and development of new staff who benefit from her ability to impart great wisdom in such a reassuring and logical manner! She also co-ordinates the continuing professional development of the Hands On team.

Outside of Hands On, Alison has maintained a strong presence within HTNZ; teaching on AUT therapy programmes and leading splinting courses around the country.

Tony Faulkner

Manukau Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Tony is a senior hand therapist and has recently established the Hands On Rehab clinic in Manukau. For the 10 years prior to this he led the team at the Akoranga clinic – one of our biggest and busiest hubs. Tony comes from a physiotherapy background. He began his career in hand therapy at Middlemore Hospital and the Superclinic, before travelling abroad. He gained valuable experience at several prestigious London hospitals and then further honed his skills in a senior role at the St Andrews Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery. Tony returned to New Zealand and joined Hands On in 2006.

Larissa Fisher

Albany Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Larissa currently leads our Albany clinic. While she started her career in physiotherapy private practice, concentrating on sports, Larissa became fascinated with rehabilitation of the hand and upper limb after receiving treatment for her own injuries.

She now works for Hands On Rehab, where her strong focus on sporting conditions continues, with involvement in hockey, netball, adventure racing and touch. Larissa also is one of the representatives for the Auckland Regional Hand Therapy Special Interest Group. Outside of work she runs a busy household who are also happily involved in sports!

Jelena Nasmith

Westgate Clinic Team Leader and Admin Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), MHSc.

Jelena currently leads our Westgate Clinic, as well as our admin team. Starting out as a physiotherapist in musculoskeletal private practice allowed her to follow her strong sports interest, and she has worked with a number of sports teams, particularly rugby and netball, for over 10 years. Since then she has undertaken further post graduate study to become a registered hand therapist and gain a Masters’ degree. Jelena is a mum/taxi driver to three girls, loves the outdoors and especially enjoys mountain biking, touch and F45.

Kirsty Neal

Surgical Services Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), BSc (Sport Sci), PGD (Teach)

Kirsty joined Hands On Rehab in 2010. Her role with us sees her working closely alongside our local, respected orthopaedic hand and upper limb surgeons. She runs a Post-Operative Hand Therapy clinic for patients at the TRG Clinic in Shakespeare Road . Her strong, musculoskeletal physiotherapy background is complimented by her undergraduate study of sports and exercise, a post graduate diploma of teaching and to top it all off, she is also a qualified Pilates instructor.

Sarah Te Whare

Drury Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Grad Dip Physiotherapy

Sarah is Hands On Rehab’s team leader for our Drury clinic. Her physiotherapy career began in London, but it wasn’t until she travelled to New Zealand that she was introduced to hand therapy, in a role at Waitakere Hospital.

Sarah continues to be passionate about hand therapy and loves the challenge and creativity involved in designing and making customised splints, particularly for multi- trauma patients. She has also served as secretary for HTNZ and been involved with examining on the Hand and Upper Limb Training programme at AUT.

When not at work Sarah is kept busy with her family. She enjoys running, cycling and swimming whenever she gets the chance!

David Beattie

Akoranga Clinic Team Leader

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Manips), PGC (Rehab)

David joined Hands On Rehab in 2017 and is the Team Leader at our Akoranga Drive Clinic. He is an Auckland-trained physiotherapist with 25 years experience in the field. He has extensive expertise in sports physiotherapy and worked as the physiotherapist for the North Harbour NPC team, the Blues, as well as for Yamaha Rugby in Japan. His considerable skills and knowledge are now well-utilised in treating patients solely with hand and upper limb injuries. David lives with his family on the Shore and enjoys cycling (in any spare time he happens to get).

Alisha McKeown

Westgate Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Acupuncture)

Alisha joined the Hands On Westgate team in 2019. Prior to this she worked as a physio in musculoskeletal private practice where she gained valuable experience with various sports teams including Beko netball, rugby league and NZ touch rugby. Alisha now splits her time between Hands On Rehab and private practice as she works towards her hand therapy registration.

In her spare time, Alisha enjoys time outdoors with her husband, and she is a keen scuba diver, having recently gained her PADI open water dive certificate.

Ann Davidson

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, ADP (OMT)

Ann is based at our Albany clinic. She has over 20 years experience as a physiotherapist, with postgraduate studies in manipulative therapy, acupuncture and hand therapy. Since 2001, she has worked solely in hand therapy, five years of those were within her own hand therapy clinic. Ann is passionate about hand therapy and supporting her patients through their rehab. She uses acupuncture as an adjunct to treatment and has a particular interest in pain management.  She is a keen tennis player and, through this, works with players from club through to elite level.

Ashton Helliwell

Westgate Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

Barb Murdoch

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BPhty, PGD Sports Medicine, PGC (Rehab)

Based at our Albany clinic, Barb has spent many years working as a physiotherapist in Australia and the UK, with a particular focus on treating sports injuries. Since returning home to New Zealand, she worked in a city-based private practice until joining Hands On in 2016. 

Barb spends her time away from the clinic keeping active with her husband, two boys and their dog doing lots of bush walks - including the occasional great walk – biking, and time at their local beach.

Becky Masters

Maternity Leave

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGD HSc (Western Acupuncture)

Becky works at our Drury clinic, and joined Hands On in 2018. Her interest in hand therapy was piqued early as the result of a research project while still in physiotherapy training. After several years working in the musculoskeletal field post graduating, she returned to study to focus on the hand and upper limb. Becky enjoys treating a wide range of injuries, as she continues to gain experience and knowledge within the hand therapy field. When not at work, Becky enjoys playing netball, fishing and going to the gym.

Brierley McCarten

Hibiscus Coast & Silverdale Clincs

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Occupational Therapy), PGC (Rehab), PGC (Western Acupuncture)

Brierley works at our Hibiscus Coast clinic. She brings a wealth of experience that began in her early occupational therapy years at Middlemore hospital. She went on to spend six years in London, working in varied hospital and private roles that further developed her skills. Upon return to New Zealand, and Middlemore, she took on the role of Section Head Therapist of Occupational and Physiotherapy for Burns, Plastics and Paediatrics. Since then she has also completed post graduate study in Western acupuncture. Brierley joined Hands On Rehab in 2011 and continues to be passionate about treating traumatic injuries, as well as a wide variety of other hand and upper limb conditions. Additional to her role at Hands On, she also assists clients with graduated return to work programmes and ergonomic workplace assessments. Brierley loves to figure out what makes her patients tick to get the most gains in rehab.

Outside of work Brierley is busy with her young family, pottering in the garden and keeping fit and healthy.

Chantal Choromanski

Maternity Leave

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab)

Chantal works at Hands On in Akoranga Drive. Prior to joining Hands On, she gained experience in musculoskeletal private practice and then a rotational physiotherapy programme at Middlemore Hospital, where she covered various areas of rehabilitation for 5 years. During this time Chantal developed a passion for hand therapy and she went on to work a further two years in the hand therapy, burns and plastics departments, while also working part time in a private hand therapy practice. She has completed post graduate studies in the hand and upper limb as well as rehabilitation. Chantal joined us in 2016 to follow her passion for hand and upper limb rehabilitation.

Claire Kriel

Drury Clinic

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Bachelor Occupational Therapy, PGDip (Hand Therapy)

Claire is part of the team at our Manukau and Drury clinics. Having studied occupational therapy in South Africa, she went on to work in East London for eight years where she developed an interest and passion for hand therapy, burns and adult rehabilitation. In 2015, she completed her training in hand therapy before emigrating to New Zealand and joining the Hands On team in 2019.

Donna Hickmott

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, Dip MT, PGD (Manips), MHPrac (Hons)

Physiotherapy. Donna developed an interest in hand therapy while working at AUT and completed papers in the hand and upper limb and Western acupuncture, as part of her clinical Masters.

Elizabeth (Lilly) Taura (Nee Somerfield)

Westgate Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip Physiotherapy, MHPrac (Hons)

Lilly joined the Hands On team in 2005, and currently works in our Westgate branch. She brings to her clinical practice experience from a wide variety of public health physiotherapy roles both here and in the UK. As a former women’s football representative, Lilly also has a keen interest in sporting injuries and hand injury rehabilitation.

Felicity Stevens

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Felicity is a member of our Albany Hands On team. She has a strong musculoskeletal physiotherapy background with a keen interest in sports physiotherapy. Prior to joining Hands On in 2018, she worked in private practice  and with several rugby and AFL teams. She is also trained in Pilates and PINC and STEEL cancer rehabilitation. Following her own injury, Felicity developed an interest in hand therapy.

Hannah Sutherland

Hibiscus Coast & Silverdale Clincs

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Hannah is part of our Hibiscus Coast team. Prior to joining us in 2018, Hannah worked locally as a physiotherapist in a musculoskeletal clinic. She has also trained and worked diversely as a Pilates instructor and a veterinary nurse. After sustaining a wrist injury herself, Hannah developed a keen interest in hand therapy (and sympathy for her clients). Hannah is a self-proclaimed foodie, who enjoys baking (keeping the Hibiscus Coast team well-nourished!) and beach life.

Harry Long

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Harry is based at our Akoranga clinic. Prior to joining us in 2020, he worked as a physiotherapist in the musculoskeletal private practice setting where he gained experience with rugby teams, return to work rehabilitation and pain management. Harry is currently working towards his hand therapy registration. Harry speaks Mandarin and outside of his work enjoys playing badminton, riding his bike and more recently working on riding a unicycle.

Janine Manga

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab), BSc, BA

Janine is one of our Akoranga team. She comes from a strong neurological physiotherapy background, and has worked in neuro rehab in both the hospital setting and in specialist neuro rehab clinics. Janine has also enjoyed a stint living in Chicago with her family. She has completed post graduate study in rehabilitation. Janine joined the Hands On team in 2019.

Jennifer Leaton

Westgate Clinic

Occupational Therapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Occupation Therapy)

Jennifer works at our Westgate Clinic, and joined Hands On in 2018. Like many of our team, Jennifer started out at Middlemore Hospital as an occupational therapist, where she got an excellent grounding in hand therapy and burns. She then went on to lead the National Burns Unit. These valuable skills, along with her experience in vocational rehabilitation, gives her great expertise in her role as a hand therapist. Jennifer lives locally with her husband and two young daughters and is a fluent Mandarin speaker.

Joanne Covacich

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Dip. Physiotherapy, PGD HSc (Rehab)

Jo works part-time for our clinic in Albany. While gaining a strong physiotherapy base and initial hand therapy experience in New Zealand, Jo spent extensive time working in the UK where she gained further expertise in a specialist burns and plastics hospital as well as private practice. She enjoyed travelling and cycling throughout Europe before returning to New Zealand in 2003. She joined Hands On at our original clinic in Forrest Hill, and has continued as a valued member of our team since. At home Jo has four children.

Jodee Parker

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc ( Physiotherapy), PGD (Musculo), PGC (Rehab)

Jodee is part of the Hands On team at Akoranga. She is a physiotherapist with over 20 years experience. Before entering the hand therapy field, she gained extensive skills working predominantly in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, both here and abroad. During this time she worked with many sports teams from club to national level. After working alongside registered hand therapists for many years, she finally took the leap to pursue her interest in the specialty and joined Hands On in 2017. Outside of work, Jodee keeps busy with her two school-age children and playing competitive hockey. She loves the outdoors and is a recent convert to paddle-boarding.

Johanna Baumann

Akoranga Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

B.AppSc ( Physiotherapy), PGD (Rehab)

Johanna is based at our Akoranga clinic. She has worked in hand therapy for the past ten years, but prior to this developed a strong physiotherapy base working as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and pilates instructor in private practices and hospitals in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Johanna initially joined Hands On in 2010, then relocated to Sydney where she worked in a hospital-based hand unit. She returned to New Zealand, and happily to Hands On, in 2019. She continues to have a keen interest in post-operative splinting and rehabilitation of hand injuries.

Outside of work, Johanna enjoys exploring the New Zealand coastline, giving old houses a new lease on life, and attempting to keep up with her active boys in and out of the water. She is also fluent in German.

Julie Bartlett

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc ( Physiotherapy), PGC (Acupuncture), MHPrac, PGD (Rehab)

Julie is based at Hands On’s clinic in Albany and joined the Hands On team in 2017. She has a strong background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy having worked predominantly in private practice and within the rugby community. Her love of rugby continues, and she is an avid Hurricanes supporter, she also works with Marist rugby. She gained valuable experience and insights while working for a period in a rural practice, as well as on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. Julie has completed post graduate studies in acupuncture, rehab and hand and upper limb therapy, as well as gaining a Masters of Health practice. She now enjoys working exclusively in the hand and upper limb field. When not at work Julie enjoys hiking and the beach, which she is lucky enough to have right on her doorstep!

Karine Dellow

Hibiscus Coast clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGD (Sport & Exercise)

Karine is a member of our Hibiscus Coast team. She has a strong physiotherapy background in exercise and sports performance/sports rehab, particularly rugby. This has seen her work extensively with local and regional rugby teams. She has also undertaken the mentoring and supervision of undergraduate physiotherapy students. Since moving into the field of hand therapy she has been able to utilise her skills to manage many sporting upper limb injuries as well a wide range of other conditions. Karine lives locally and enjoys spending time with her young family at their rural property.

Karryn Smith

Akoranga Clinic

Occupational Therapist and Registered Hand Therapist

Bachelor Occupational Therapy, PGC (Rehab)

Karryn works at our Akoranga clinic. She began her career in occupational therapy at Hutt Hospital, went on to travel and work in the UK for several years, before returning to New Zealand and a job at Middlemore Hospital. She gained valuable skills rotating through the specialty areas, including hand therapy, and developed a special interest in the field. She joined the Hands On Rehab team in 2017, and continues to also provide services to the National Burn Centre Scar Management clinic at Middlemore.

Khushali Shah

Manukau Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Khushali graduated from AUT in 2016. Prior to joining the Hands On team in 2020, Khushali worked at a private Physiotherapy clinic for 3 years. While working with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries, she developed an interest in hand and upper limb therapy. This inspired her to pursue further study in the area. Outside of work, Khushali enjoys spending time with her family and friends, while also exploring her creative side with watercolour painting. Khushali is fluent in both Hindi & Gujarati.

Lindsay Egbers

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab)

Lindsay works at our Albany clinic. He began his physiotherapy career at Waikato Hospital, and he went on to gain private practice experience also before choosing to follow his interest in hand therapy. He completed post graduate training in hand therapy and became a registered hand therapist before leaving New Zealand in 2015 to travel and work in the UK. He returned in 2017 and joined the Hands On Rehab team shortly after.  Outside of work Lindsay enjoys spending time with his young family, cycling, fishing and getting outdoors.

Louise Moore

Maternity Leave

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGC (Rehab), MHPrac

Louise is based at our clinic on the Hibiscus Coast. As a physiotherapist she has worked predominantly in musculoskeletal private practice in Auckland, London and Melbourne. She has also completed post graduate studies in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. On her return to New Zealand, Louise chose to focus on hand and upper limb therapy and she joined the Hands On team in 2013.

Mark Lanigan

Albany Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy), PGDip (Musculoskeletal), MHPrac (Musculoskeletal)

Mark is part of our Albany team. He has spent the majority of his physiotherapy career working in musculoskeletal private practice. Mark has had stints in Australia, the United Kingdom and back home in Wanaka as a ski field triage physio. He also spent 10 years in Warkworth running his own private clinic, before choosing to focus on hand and upper limb injuries and joining Hands On in 2019. In this time Mark has also completed his Masters in Health Science. Outside of work Mark enjoys staying active with his young family, surfing, playing in the occasional Masters water polo tournament and a bit of DIY for good measure.

Naomi Marshall

Hibiscus Coast Clinic

Physiotherapist and Registered Hand Therapist

BSc (Hons) (Physiotherapy)

Naomi joined the Hibiscus Coast Hands On team in 2019. She trained as a physiotherapist and began her career in the UK. Naomi quickly developed an interest in hands and plastics and held a senior role at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital.

Naomi then travelled to New Zealand shores and worked at Middlemore Hospital for three years before returning to the UK with her Kiwi husband in 2003. She had some time off to have her family and then continued to work in hospital based hand therapy roles until moving back to New Zealand in 2017.

Naomi has worked in all areas of hand therapy but has a strong interest in plastics, particularly soft tissue injuries and surgeries. On her days off Naomi is kept busy on her family’s lifestyle block and especially enjoys getting out on her horse.

Ronnie Brdanovic

Hibiscus Coast Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Ronnie works at both our Albany and Hibiscus Coast clinics. From early experiences of her own sporting injuries, Ronnie developed a strong interest in rehabilitation, which lead her to study Physiotherapy. Ronnie has worked in musculoskeletal private practices across Auckland. Her experience includes physiotherapy support to sporting teams, pilates-based rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning training.

At Hands On, Ronnie continues to be passionate about helping people rehabilitate from their injuries and return to the things in life they enjoy. She joined our team in 2019. Outside of work she keeps fit and enjoys an active lifestyle.

Thomas Wang

Manukau Clinic

Physiotherapist and Assoc. Hand Therapist

BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Thomas works at our Manukau clinic, and joined our team in 2020. He started his physiotherapy career at North Shore and Middlemore Hospitals, before focussing on musculoskeletal private practice. He has gained a wide range of clinical experience and knowledge in managing musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Thomas has also worked alongside sports teams, managing player's acute injuries. Thomas is a fluent Mandarin speaker and outside of work enjoys tramping and snowboarding.