Occupational Therapists
About Marie
Marie is a registered occupational therapist with 25 years’ experience in the assessment and management of injury, illness and disability on an individual’s functional capacity and their ability to participate in their daily activities.
She has clinical and case management experience working with:
- upper and lower limb amputations
- hand injuries
- musculoskeletal injuries
- age-related illness and injury, and dementia
- acquired brain injury, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, chronic pain and depression
- palliative care.
About Sarah
Sarah completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2012. Since graduating, she has worked in a variety of settings within Illawarra Shoalhaven and South Western Sydney including acute, rehabilitation and community roles.
She has worked with clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities such as neurological, spinal, trauma, complex orthopaedics, degenerative conditions, congenital conditions, palliative care and age-related conditions.
Sarah has experience providing complex equipment prescription; seating assessments and wheelchair prescription; pressure care education and product prescription; minor and major environmental modifications, and upper limb therapy programs.
About Anna
Anna completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2010. Since graduating, she has worked in a variety of roles in Illawarra Shoalhaven, Rural South Australia and the United Kingdom.
Her experience includes completing basic and complex equipment prescription; wheelchair prescription; pressure care education and prescription of products; and minor and major environmental modifications.
She has experience in many acute, rehabilitation, community and aged care roles. Anna has worked with clients with a diverse range of disabilities and diagnoses including orthopaedics, neurological, medical/surgical conditions, Motor Neuron Disease and other degenerative conditions, palliative care, and age-related conditions.
About Louise
Louise completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2012. She has worked in several community and inpatient rehabilitation settings within regional, rural and remote Queensland and New South Wales.
Louise has experience working with people who have neurological conditions and is currently doing postgraduate studies in neurological rehabilitation.
She has a great interest in upper limb recovery after stroke and has developed and delivered constraint induced movement therapy with individuals, groups and through Telehealth.
About Mel
Mel graduated in 2013 with a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of Canberra. Since graduating, Mel has worked in a variety of settings, including occupational rehabilitation, acute, subacute and community settings. Her experience is in seating assessment and prescription, equipment prescription, pressure care, falls prevention, and minor and major home modifications. She has worked with clients who have various disabilities, medical conditions and functional impairments, including neurological, orthopedic, respiratory, trauma, cardiac, degenerative, palliative care and aged related conditions.
About Madei
Madei Low is an occupational therapist with five years’ experience, currently living in Jervis Bay and working in the Shoalhaven region.
She has worked in Australia and Canada, and gained experience in a variety of settings including acute hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation, community rehabilitation and jobsite settings. Madei has provided services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities, from complex orthopaedic, neurological, trauma and medical/surgical conditions to age-related conditions.
Her clinical experience includes disability, neurological rehabilitation, community rehabilitation, functional and cognitive retraining, equipment prescription, wheelchairs and seating, environmental modifications, return to work support services and case management services.
About Lauren
She has worked with clients with a wide range of disabilities and diagnoses including neurological, Motor Neuron Disease and other degenerative conditions, brain injuries, and medical/surgical issues.
Lauren is a Driver Trained Occupational Therapist who can conduct driving assessments and assist clients to maintain or regain their licence.
About Clementine
Clementine graduated in 2002 from the University of Brighton, in the United Kingdom, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy and Master of Science in Health through Occupation. After gaining experience in acute physical health she developed a special interest in wheelchairs and specialist seating, working in the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre. She also worked in community rehabilitation and rapid response in North Somerset, before moving to Australia.
Clementine has worked in Sydney and Illawarra for a number of years, in a variety of roles including private rehabilitation, community and aged care.
She has 12 years’ experience providing occupational therapy interventions to clients with a range of diagnoses including orthopaedics, medical/surgical, neurological and age-related conditions.
About Taneeka
Taneeka is a registered occupational therapist. She completed a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Health Promotion and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Since graduating, Taneeka has worked across Western Australia and New South Wales.
Her clinical experience includes disability, equipment prescription, home modifications and paediatrics. Taneeka has worked with a diverse range of disabilities including neurological conditions, spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities, upper and lower limb amputations, Motor Neurone Disease and palliative care.
About Emma
Emma completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2016. Since graduating, she has worked in a number of different settings in South Western Sydney including acute, rehabilitation, palliative care and hand therapy.
Emma has worked with a wide variety of clients with complex injuries, diagnoses and disabilities including brain injuries, orthopaedic injuries, amputations, and psychiatric, neurological, degenerative and congenital conditions.
She has experience in home modifications and equipment prescription as well as hand and neurological upper limb splinting. Emma completed training with the Australian Hand Therapy Association and Sydney Hand Hospital.
She is passionate about developing innovative solutions to daily problems that improve client function, independence and enjoyment in life.
Outside of work, Emma enjoys exploring the outdoors, travelling, creative arts and following the footy.
About Lily
Lily graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2017. Since then, she has worked in a variety of settings in South Western Sydney including acute, rehabilitation and community.
Lily has experience providing services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities including oncology, palliative care, neurological, orthopaedics, amputations, degenerative conditions, congenital conditions and age-related conditions.
Her experience includes completing minor and complex equipment prescription, pressure care, and minor and major environmental modifications.
About Emily
Emily graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2020.
Through her university placements, she has gained experience in the community aged care, paediatric, acute and rehabilitation settings. Emily has volunteered and worked with clients with a diverse range of disabilities and diagnoses including oncology, neurological, orthopaedics, amputations, intellectual disability, mental health and age-related conditions. Emily is enthusiastic about adding value to the life of her clients through utilising a client centred approach.
Beyond work, you will find Emily in the outdoors, enjoying her morning coffee by the ocean or travelling in her newly equipped van. Emily loves all things sport, and is heavily involved in Wollongong Touch Association as a representative coach and player.
About Joanne
Joanne is an occupational therapist with over 25 years’ experience in orthopaedics, degenerative neurological conditions, trauma, spinal injuries, brain injuries, amputations, complex medical conditions, arthritis, dementia, soft tissue injuries and palliative care.
Her clinical experience spans the acute hospital system, brain injury services, and primary and secondary rehabilitation.
About Jess
Jess graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) and Master of Occupational Therapy – Honours Class l. Since graduating, she has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, acute and community roles (both hospital and non-hospital based) within the Illawarra Shoalhaven, ACT and far South Coast areas.
She has experience providing a range of clinical services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities including neurological, spinal, orthopaedics, amputations, intellectual disabilities, mental health disorders, degenerative conditions, congenital conditions, trauma, palliative care and age-related conditions.
Jess has experience with minor and complex home modifications, simple and complex equipment prescription, pressure injury prevention and management, functional and cognitive retraining (for inpatient and community-based rehabilitation), upper limb therapy, wheelchairs and seating, and manual handling.
Outside of work, you will find Jess doing CrossFit training, playing soccer, exploring the outdoors with her partner and Boxer dog, Macey, or spending time with her friends and family.
About Kate
She has also worked across the Acute Stroke Unit, Illawarra Brain Injury Service and has run an out patient upper limb group. She has experience providing services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities including neurological, spinal, trauma, complex orthopaedics, degenerative conditions, palliative care, and aged related conditions.
Her experience has included completing equipment prescription, seating assessments and wheelchair prescription, pressure care education and prescription of products, minor and major environmental modifications, upper limb therapy programs, cognitive rehabilitation and community access retraining.
When she is not working she is normally chasing her two children around, playing netball or surfing the local breaks with her family.
About Maria
Her clinical experience includes return to work support services and case management, aged care rehabilitation and acute care, cardiac, amputee, palliative care, complex orthopaedic and trauma. Maria has also had extensive experience in medical/surgical conditions, pressure care management, equipment prescription and environmental modifications.
About Stephanie
Her experience includes completing simple and complex equipment prescription; seating assessments and wheelchair prescription; pressure care education and prescription of products; and minor and major environmental modifications.
Steph has worked with clients with a diverse range of disabilities and diagnoses including traumatic conditions (brain injury and spinal cord), developmental disabilities, orthopaedics, neurological, degenerative, and age-related conditions.
About Michelle
Michelle completed Bachelor of Science Occupational Therapy, graduating in 1998. She worked in Perth and the UK for a number of years both in community and hospital settings. Michelle has since settled in the Shoalhaven where she has worked for the last 15 years primarily for Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District predominantly in the community setting.
Her experience includes working on the acute wards, rehabilitation wards, acute stroke unit, and many years performing home assessments for the purpose of equipment prescription and home modifications. Michelle’s experience also includes seating assessment and wheelchair prescription, pressure care education and prescription of equipment to manage pressure care needs.
Michelle has worked with clients with diverse diagnoses including neurological conditions, orthopedic, spinal injuries, aged related conditions, and palliative care.
About Nicole
She has experience providing services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities including neurological, spinal, trauma, orthopaedics, amputations, degenerative conditions, palliative care, intellectual disabilities and age related conditions.
Nicole has experience with minor and complex home modifications, simple and complex equipment prescription, pressure injury prevention and management, functional and cognitive assessment and retraining, upper limb therapy, wheelchairs and seating and manual handling.
Outside of work, you will find Nicole chasing after her young daughter, having a coffee at a local café, spending time with her family and friends or at a Pilates class.
About Jennifer
She has experience providing a range of clinical services to clients with diverse diagnoses and disabilities such as neurological conditions, medical/surgical conditions, degenerative conditions, spinal injuries, orthopaedic conditions, lower body amputations, palliative care, age-related conditions, and mental health conditions. Jennifer has experience providing simple and complex equipment prescription, pressure care prevention and management, falls prevention, minor and major environmental modifications, upper limb therapy, cognitive assessment and retraining, and functional retraining to support others to engage in their valued and meaningful activities of daily living.
On the weekends she is normally outdoors enjoying the water and sunshine, and spending time with her friends and border collie.
About Laura
Laura graduated as an occupational therapist in 2009. Since then, she has gained experience across a variety of settings including private practice, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, paediatrics and community settings. Laura has predominantly worked within the Illawarra and South Western Sydney regions.
She has worked with individuals with a diverse range of health and disability conditions including orthopaedics, neurological, developmental, cardiac, degenerative conditions, autism spectrum disorder and age-related conditions.
Laura has experience providing functional mobility and transfer retraining, simple and complex assistive technology prescription, seating and wheelchair prescriptions, pressure care education and equipment, home modifications and running education program including back care, manual handling, falls prevention and cardiac education.
Laura enjoys a good vanilla latte, backpacking the world (her goal is to go to all the Disney’s with only Shanghai Disney left) and when she is not working Laura is kept busy looking after her 2 young daughters.
About Kiyan
Through placements and volunteering opportunities, Kiyan has had experience working in hospital and community settings with clients from diverse cultural and medical backgrounds of all ages. She has had experience working with participants in the disability sector, aged care, mental health and paediatric settings.
About Bridget
In her clinical placements she has developed experience in acute orthopaedic, inpatient rehabilitation, and community paediatric settings. She has worked with clients across the lifespan with diverse needs and diagnosis. These include musculoskeletal conditions, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, neurological conditions, and mental health conditions
About Kate
Kate worked in Sydney as a House Manager at a respite home for people with physical and or intellectual disabilities. She worked with people who had challenging behaviours.
After having her three children, Kate worked as a School Learning Support Officer at a mainstream primary school in the Illawarra, proving support to the class for children with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.
In her spare time she loves being with family and friends, going to the gym and spending time at the beautiful beaches of the Illawarra. She also enjoys bushwalking.
About Kimberley
Kimberley worked in the Advertising industry for 10 years until recently having her first child, which further drove her desire to change careers and assist others. She has a strong passion for helping people be the best version of themselves.
Outside of work Kimberley enjoys the outdoors including bushwalking, surfing, and going to the beach. She also enjoys spending time with her family and travelling.
About Sarah
She has worked in South Africa and Australia employed as a sole clinician in community rehabilitation as well as acute settings and private practice. Sarah has specialized in the area of mental health for the past 8 years as mental health clinician, coordinator of community mental health programs and as a private practitioner with Headspace. Her clinical experience prior to this included vocational and ergonomic assessments, injury management consultation, Paediatric rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation, Spinal ICU, Burns, Amputations, Wheelchair seating, equipment prescription, community development and health promotion projects, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology as well as dementia behaviour management.
About Anna
Since relocating to the Illawarra with her family, she has worked mainly in Hospital settings as an Occupational therapist. She has serviced Emergency and High dependency wards through to Rehab and Palliative care wards. She has experience with a diverse range of disabilities and diagnosis and is passionate in assisting people with disabilities and their families reach their personal goals and maximize their quality of life.
About Thomas
In his clinical placements he has gained experience in inpatient rehabilitation and acute care settings where he’s developed his skills in neurological, cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal physio.
Physiotherapists
About William
Having spent much of his youth competing in tennis tournaments and playing AFL, Will was no stranger to the physiotherapists’ office. After completing his Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2013, he spent three years at Wollongong Hospital before transitioning into private practice.
He has worked across multiple health settings including the Intensive Care Unit, neurological and musculoskeletal. Will brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his clinical practice. He has also completed additional training in dry needling and Clinical Pilates.
Will prides himself on a client first approach and aims to deliver an individualised road to recovery for each person.
When he isn’t working, you will find Will coaching at Figtree Australian Rules Football Club or sampling local wine and cheese venues with his wife Nicole.
About Khairel
Previously a firefighter and HAZMAT specialist of seven years, Kai graduated from the University of Canberra with a Master of Physiotherapy in 2019.
Following a motor vehicle accident, Kai underwent a year of intensive physiotherapy. After successfully returning to firefighting, Kai was inspired to pursue a career in physiotherapy.
With a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science from Edith Cowan University, Kai has experience working with various sporting organisations as a sports trainer and sports scientist.
In his graduate year of physiotherapy, Kai worked in a private practice specialising in musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy. Kai prides himself on treating the person, not the condition. He enjoys working with disabilities as it encompasses a holistic approach. He thrives on making a positive difference in an individual’s life, however small that may be.
Outside of work, Kai plays soccer for a local team in a community league. He is also an avid traveller who has lived in the United Kingdom. Spain, Thailand and Singapore for various parts of his life.
About Samuel
Sam graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Master of Physiotherapy. Since graduating, he has worked at St Vincent’s Hospital and Wollongong Hospital.
Sam has extensive experience across a variety of domains including neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal and rehabilitation.
Away from work, you will find Sam exploring nature with his kids, exercising or in his vegetable garden.
About Sophie
Sophie graduated with a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, specialising in rehabilitation, from the University of Montpellier in France. She also has a European Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity (Montpellier, Leuven, Belgium, Grenoble).
She worked in a rehabilitation centre in France for five years where she provided exercises and hydrotherapy to clients with neurological and orthopaedic disorders. Sophie subsequently retrained as a physical therapist in Canada, graduating from McGill University, Montreal with a Master’s in Physical Therapy in 2010. She worked with clients, post-surgery, in a public hospital before her husband was recruited to the University of Wollongong in 2011.
She has worked in and around Wollongong in private practice, mostly with clients getting injured at work, but then lived in Canberra for three years working as a Senior Physiotherapist at Calvary John James Hospital with clients, post orthopaedic surgery. Sophie returned to live in Wollongong in 2017 and has worked in private practice and aged care facilities.
She really enjoys getting to know her clients with a primary goal of helping them to improve their quality of life. Away from work, Sophie enjoys swimming, cycling, running and looking after her family. She is a proud French and Australian dual national.
About Damien
Damien completed his undergraduate degree in physiotherapy at the University of Sydney in 1994. In 2013, he was awarded a Master of Philosophy (Research) from the University of Sydney.
After graduating as a physiotherapist, Damien worked in Tasmania for six months before relocating to the USA, where he worked as a physiotherapist for five years in a variety of clinical settings.
After returning to Australia, Damien worked as the Senior Physiotherapist in the spinal cord injury unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. In 2017, he moved to the South Coast and has worked in private practice, the Shoalhaven District Memorial and David Berry hospitals, and the Illawarra Brain Injury Service. He has also worked as a private consultant in his own private practice, seeing spinal cord injury clients in the community.
When he isn’t working, Damien loves singing, playing music and watching live music. He also finds time to fish and brew beer.
About Elanna
Since then she has worked across a broad range of specialties including: Neurology, Stroke, Acute Medicine, Geriatrics, Respiratory, Intensive Care, Emergency Department, Paediatrics and most recently on COVID wards in the UK.
Elanna has recently returned home to Wollongong after 5 years of working across the UK.
Outside of work Elanna participates in community theatre and loves spending time at the beach.
Elanna strives for a holistic approach when providing therapy, as well as making it fun, enjoyable and targeted to achieve each individual’s goals.
About Kristen
Since, she has worked across a broad scope of sectors including sports physiotherapy, community and aged care roles.
Kristen has worked as a physiotherapist throughout the Illawarra, Newcastle, various Aboriginal medical centres and Cambodia.
In Cambodia, Kristen assisted as a physiotherapist with the National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team and professional athletes including martial artists, footballers and Paralympians.
This experience has given her a high standard of cultural competency and the ability to build rapport with a range of clients.
Outside of work, Kristen enjoys long-distance running, high-intensity interval training and relaxing at the beach.
Kristen believes in using movement as medicine; making it approachable for all and specific to your goals.
About Laura
Laura has since worked at Wollongong Hospital, gaining a broad range of experience in paediatrics, neurology, respiratory, Intensive care and musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Laura is particularly passionate about working with children of all ages. She has worked in the paediatric team at Wollongong Hospital for more then 2 years and works at Sydney Children’s Hospital on weekends.
Outside of work Laura loves to spend time with her family and friends, play netball or run along the beach.
About Cayley
Since graduating she has worked at Wollongong Hospital, gaining extensive experience across a number of clinical areas including cardiorespiratory, pulmonary rehabilitation, general medical, critical care and neurology.
Cayley has a passion for assisting participants to optimise their health and improve overall quality of life. She strives to provide therapy that is holistic, individualised and targeted towards achieving a participant’s identified goals.
Outside of work Cayley enjoys playing netball, hiking, watching live music and catching up with family and friends.
Exercise Physiologists
About Sam
Sam has previous experience within disability and older adult populations working towards improving their capacity and promoting healthier lifestyles; as well as high performance coaching within varying sports including AFL and cricket.
Sam has an interest in working with people with any form of disability and tailoring that person’s therapy according to their individual goals and needs.
Outside of working Sam enjoys playing and watching all sports, especially watching his beloved Essendon Bombers, as well as going to gym and chilling at the beach.
About Justin
In his graduate year, Justin gained valuable experience across multiple health settings including cardiac rehabilitation at Wollongong Hospital and the mental health inpatient unit at Liverpool Hospital. He also spent time working in neurological and musculoskeletal-based settings with the ‘Neuromoves’ team in Lismore.
Having spent the last two years working in private practice, Justin has become well versed in musculoskeletal and neurological-based rehabilitation utilising both land- and water-based settings. He enjoys working with people living with disabilities and strives to make all his exercise sessions “fun and effective”.
Outside of work, Justin enjoys completing home projects, watching live music with friends, and playing football for Berkeley Sports Football Club.
Administration
About Wayne
Wayne worked in the steel industry for many years. He worked in a number of areas of the steelworks during his time in the industry. He worked in Administration, Occupational Health and Safety and Production Management during his time there.
Wayne has worked for IOT as Practice Manager for the past five years.
In his spare time Wayne enjoys spending time with his family and is a keen fan of rugby league.
About Renee
Renee commenced working at IOT in July 2020 as Assistant Practice Manager.
Renee worked in Sydney for many years in the legal sector, in a variety of roles including Legal Assistant, Office Manager and Receptionist in law firms.
She has recently commenced training in Equine Assisted Learning.
Until recently Renee was the registrar for Corrimal Juniors Surf Life Saving Club. Renee enjoys spending time with her family and friends and reluctantly goes to the gym.
About Sophie
Sophie has completed her Certificate IV in Business Administration and is currently studying to complete her Diploma.
Sophie previously worked in Administration at the University of Wollongong. She has gained widespread experience in providing assistance to higher management. She has skills in providing customer service to a varied range of stakeholders. Sophie enjoys the satisfaction of being able to assist individuals to make their job easier.
When Sophie is not at work you will find her spending time with family and friends or watching Netflix. She also enjoys walks to the beach with her partner and dog.
About Karina
Karina is our Administration Assistant. With a Commerce degree from the University of Wollongong and a travel industry background she has vast experience in customer service and knowledge of office management systems and procedures. With her excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize work she provides support ensuring the efficient operation of our office.
Karina appreciates the importance of a professional and friendly approach to dealing with our participants and staff alike and looks forward to welcoming you to IOT.
About Bern
When Bern isn’t in the office, she is running around after her young children & socialising with friends.
About
IOT is a group of highly experienced occupational therapists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, servicing the Illawarra, Macarthur and Shoalhaven region.
Contact us
P: 02 4284 9773
E: admin@iotah.com.au
