About us

Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA), Certified Hand Therapist (USA)

Felicity has over twenty years experience in hand and upper limb rehabilitation. After graduating from the University of Queensland in 1995, she gained her Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) qualification in 2003, before completing a Masters in Public Health in 2007.

Felicity has worked in both the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK. She gained her hand therapy experience at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, St Thomas Hospital, London and Sydney Hospital Hand Unit.

After moving to Newcastle in 2006 Felicity became the director and principal therapist of the Hand Therapy Centre. Felicity has developed a team of like-minded clinicians with a passion for hand therapy. With strong ethical principles and in pursuit of excellence, the Hand Therapy Centre has become a well-respected institution among patients and clinicians alike.

Felicity is a full member of the AHTA and has been involved in teaching their level-one splinting course. She is also involved in teaching undergraduate students at the University of Newcastle.

Clinical interests:
Complex trauma, wrist instabilities, arthritis

Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA), Certified Hand Therapist (USA)

Melissa graduated from Newcastle University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2009. After graduating, she worked as a physiotherapist for Hunter New England Health. She discovered her passion for hand therapy in 2012 at the John Hunter Hospital.

Melissa completed the prestigious Sydney Hospital Hand Therapy Clinical Fellowship in 2014 and her MSc (Hand Therapy) in 2019. She’s currently involved in teaching the Level 1 sports course (hand component) for the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA).

Clinical interests:
Hand injuries, evidence-based treatments

Associate AHTA member

Bree graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with honours in 2017. She is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA). She has completed a number of hand therapy courses through the AHTA. Her passion for hand therapy began during her work in hand therapy on the Gold Coast. Bree has a caring approach and strives to tailor plans specifically to patient’s goals to help return to meaningful activities. She works hard behind the scenes to ensure patient care is organised and at a high standard. Bree has an eye for detail with custom splint fabrication.

She is skilled treating a variety of hand injuries and conditions, with a particular interest in post-surgical care.

Clinical interests:
Post operative care and creating splints and casts

Associate AHTA member

Ruby graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2020 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honors). With over a decade of experience in occupational therapy since 2007, she has honed her skills, including serving as an AHA at a short-term rehab centre. It was during a clinical placement at Port Macquarie Base Hospital that Ruby discovered her passion for hand therapy.

After completing her OT degree, Ruby worked in paediatrics while also starting her own family. Her long-term goal has always been to return to hand therapy, driven by her dedication to helping individuals regain mobility in their upper limbs and regain independence in daily activities.

Currently, Ruby is in the process of accreditation through AHTA. Additionally, she is actively pursuing further professional development by enrolling in additional courses offered by external providers. Ruby is committed to expanding her knowledge base in Upper Limb therapy through evidence-based practices. She stays updated with the latest advancements by regularly reading journal articles, participating in webinars, and listening to expert discussions on podcasts.

Ruby’s passion lies in restoring upper limb mobility to individuals, enabling them to actively participate in meaningful activities and regain independence in their daily lives.

Clinical interests:
Trauma, return to function, tendon rehabilitation