About Us
Proudly Queensland owned and operated by Mary Mitchell, Wilma Walsh and Marguerite Copley.
As Directors and as treating therapists, we have an extensive background in hand and upper
limb rehabilitation.
We understand the concerns of the people who come to us for care and we equip our staff with the tools and development they need to deliver consistently high care. Our staff are our greatest asset. All of our therapists are degree qualified and participate in regular professional development programs. Therapists regularly attend workshops, seminars and conferences throughout Australia and overseas to ensure they stay at the forefront of their profession.
Directors
Wilma Walsh
Director of Hand Therapy
Wilma (Willie) is an Occupational Therapist who has practised hand therapy for over 30 years. Willie was one of the five founding members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and served as president from 1983-86. She has lectured extensively and is recognised as an expert in the field of hand/upper limb rehabilitation both in Australia and internationally. She has been the invited keynote speaker at the French and New Zealand Hand Therapy meetings and in 2010 was the invited Honored Professor at the prestigious Philadelphia Hand Foundation meeting. She has served as an editor of the American Hand Therapy Journal and is the only international therapist to serve as a member of the Hand Therapy Certification Commission Exam Review Committee. Willie has a special interest in the wrist, sporting injuries, flexor tendon injuries and fractures. Wilma is a life member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and is a Certified Hand Therapist (USA).
Marguerite Copely
Director of Hand Therapy
Marguerite is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Queensland in 1983. Marguerite is involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Queensland and has lectured extensively. Marguerite has a Post Graduate Diploma in Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation and has a special interest in complex injuries, overuse injuries and workplace rehabilitation. Marguerite is an accredited member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Mary Mitchell
Director of Physiotherapy
Mary is a Physiotherapist who graduated from the University of Queensland in 1991. She received a Post Graduate Diploma in Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation from Curtin University in 1995. Mary has lectured extensively throughout Australia and to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Queensland and Griffith University. Mary has worked in hand and upper limb rehabilitation since 1994 and has a special interest in shoulder surgery and elbow injuries. Mary is an accredited member of both the Australian Hand Therapy Association and a full member of the Shoulder Elbow Physiotherapy Australia Association.
Hand Therapy
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Jessica Porter
Occupational Therapist
Jessica graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and worked in public and private hospitals before moving to New Zealand to specialize in hand therapy. She was based in a primary contact hand therapy clinic in Auckland alongside Nz’s leading hand therapists and surgeons where she completed post-graduate hand therapy qualifications and a post-graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation. Jessica began with Extend at the end of 2016 and is an accredited member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association. With over 10 years experience in the field of hand therapy, she would love to give you a hand with your injury!
Isis Feehely
Occupational Therapist
Isis Feehely graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy. Isis has also completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a post-graduate Bachelor of Education. She worked as a primary school teacher for six years in a remote Aboriginal community on the west coast of Cape York and in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane before a significant hand injury of her own encouraged her to return to study with a view to becoming a hand therapist.
Isis has worked for private hand therapy companies since graduating as an Occupational Therapist and has a special interest in wound, scar and oedema management as well as understanding and managing pain following injury or surgery.
Isis joined the Extend team in January 2017 and is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Chelsea Darlow
Occupational Therapist
Chelsea graduated from the University of Queensland in 2012 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons). Since then she has developed a passion for Hand Therapy working in both the public and private sector, including working for Extend in 2016. Chelsea has also spent time volunteering with Mercy Ships in Africa and 2 years working in a major hand therapy unit in London. Chelsea returns to Extend in 2020 and has an interest in acute trauma management. Chelsea is an associate member of both the Australian Hand Therapy Association and British Association of Hand Therapy.
Anna Matthew
Physiotherapist
After graduating with a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland in 2004, Anna relocated to Scotland where she lived and worked for 10 years providing specialist senior physiotherapy services within 2 large hospitals. Anna provided services to elective and trauma orthopaedics, specialist out-patient rotations for rehabilitation of the lower and upper limbs (including hand therapy), general musculoskeletal out-patients and rheumatology. Anna also worked closely with hand therapists and extended scope shoulder practitioners providing upper limb rehabilitation for sporting injuries, repetitive strain and work place injuries, nerve injuries, hand trauma and elective surgery. Anna can provide both Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy services.
Joseph Tuppen
Physiotherapist
Joseph graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Joseph has also completed a Bachelor of Science with first class Honours in Microbiology.
Joseph has extensive experience in hand and upper limb rehabilitation in the public and private sectors, working for seven years in the public health system in Tasmania and then a further six years in private hand and upper limb practice in Brisbane before moving to Extend Rehabilitation. He has a keen interest in all areas of hand and upper limb rehabilitation, and enjoys helping clients to meet their goals, be they returning to their work, hobbies, or to high level sporting endeavours.
Joseph joined the Extend team in 2019 and is an Accredited Hand Therapist as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association. He is also a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Bridget Harding
Occupational Therapist
Bridget joined the Extend Rehabilitation team in 2018 after finding her calling for Hand Therapy whilst studying Occupational Therapy at the University of Queensland where she graduated in 2016. Following a stint in Rockhampton, Bridget returned to Brisbane to join Extend where she is working towards her Australian Hand Therapy accreditation and is currently an Associate member. She has a special interest in treating paediatric and sport related injuries. When not at work she can be found walking the dog or playing Hockey/social Netball.
Emma Colby
Occupational Therapist
Emma graduated from the University of Queensland in 2014 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Emma has worked in a variety of different hospitals both in Brisbane and the UK, predominantly in hand therapy, acute trauma and general surgery. She has a special interest in trauma related injuries.
Emma joined the Extend team in April 2019 and is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and a Certified Hand Therapist (USA)
Brittany Atfield
Occupational Therapist
Brittany graduated from the University of Queensland with a Masters of Occupational Therapy Studies in 2012. She has also completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biomedical Science from UQ. Brittany has worked as an Occupational Therapist in hospitals both in Brisbane and the UK in a variety of area’s; including medical, surgical, trauma and orthopaedics, geriatrics, A&E and hand therapy. Brittany enjoys helping people achieve their rehabilitation goals and maximise their abilities, and has an interest in traumatic injuries. Brittany joined the Extend team in late 2019 and is an associate member of the AHTA.
Physiotherapy
Michael Winn
Physiotherapist
Michael has 15 years’ experience specialising in shoulder rehabilitation and treating neck, back and lower limb injuries. With degrees in exercise science and physiotherapy, Michael is well versed in issues related to proper technique and injury prevention with respect to strength and conditioning. Michael has a keen interest in the development and supervision of gym programs, in preparation for patients returning to work, sport or everyday activities.
Chris Brouard
Physiotherapist
Chris is a Physiotherapist who graduated from the Australian Catholic University in 2015. Prior to studying physiotherapy, Chris completed a Bachelor of Engineering (QUT) and a Master’s Degree in Technology Management (MTM) at UQ. Chris’s focus for the last 5 years has been working closely with upper limb surgeons in the rehabilitation of patients after all forms of shoulder and elbow surgery. Chris is a Level 1 Sports Trainer and a keen cyclist.
Melanie Parker
Physiotherapist
Melanie graduated from the University of Queensland in 2016 where she joined Extend Rehabilitation due to her interest in management of upper limb conditions. Since then Melanie has gained experience with a variety of complex musculoskeletal, neurological & orthopaedic conditions, and has a special interest in rehabilitating high level athletes to their pre-injury function. In her spare time, she is an enthusiastic runner & mountain biker.
Lucy Angelini
Physiotherapist
Lucy graduated from The University of Queensland in 1998 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies). Lucy also completed a Masters of Physiotherapy Studies in 2004.
Lucy worked in the US for a couple of years before returning home to Brisbane. She has been working in shoulder rehabilitation at Extend for 12 years.
Lucy joined the Extend team in 2006 and is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association as well as the Shoulder and Elbow Physiotherapy Association.
Ben Huynh
Physiotherapist
Ben graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2013. Since graduation Ben has worked in private practice with his experience covering orthopaedics, high level athletes, general musculoskeletal, group balance and exercise classes, and aged care. Ben has additional qualifications in Dry Needling and Clinical Pilates and due to his strong interest in sport and exercise including mixed martial arts.
Christel van Erp
Physiotherapist
Christel graduated with a Masters of Physiotherapy Studies in 2015. Prior to studying physiotherapy, she completed a PhD in physiology and pharmacology and was working as a research scientist in both Australia and at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, USA. Christel has worked as a community physiotherapist in aged care, seeing patients for rehabilitation after falls and cardiac and orthopaedic procedures. Christel joined the Extend team in 2019 and is a qualified level 1 lymphoedema therapist and a member of the Australasian Lymphology Association as well as a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Administration
Prue Griffin
Prue is our longest serving administrator, having joined Extend in 2006 and works on a part-time basis at our Chermside clinic. In addition to being a wonderful administrator and very organised, Prue will ensure you are comfortable and well cared for. Prue enjoys cooking and keeping active with her young family and puppy Rio.
Christy McIntosh
Christy loves interacting with our clients and strives to provide amazing customer service. Christy has worked for Extend since 2010 and works on a part-time basis at our Greenslopes clinic. Christy balances work with raising a young family and somehow still manages to make amazing cakes!
Anita Birdi
Anita is our lovely English lady who primarily works at our Brisbane Private Hospital clinic. Anita has a background in banking and finance and joined Extend in 2013 after performing a variety of administration roles within the public hospital sector. Anita is very friendly and approachable, can speak 3 languages and has a great love of cooking, flower arranging and cake decorating (her cakes are stunning!).
Lara Didden
Lara joined the Extend Team in early 2020. She has a strong background in the Medical Administration field, having worked in A&E and Doctors Surgeries. Lara is very approachable and loves to help where she can. Lara balances working full-time at our BPH Clinic with spending her weekends racing on her dirtbike.
Cassandra Day
Cassandra joined extend at the start of 2019 working at our Brisbane Private and Wesley hospital clinics. She is currently studying a Master of Development Practice with a keen interest in community and sustainable development. When Cass isn't at work, she enjoys volunteering at community centers and attending Trivia nights.
Natalee Stephens
Natalee is always at the ready to offer assistance and works diligently to ensure our clinic operations run efficiently and that every client receives outstanding service. Natalee joined Extend in 2009 and balances working part-time at our Chermside clinic with her young family.
Marcia Fenton
Marcia joined Extend in 2012 after completing a Health Management course. Marcia has previously worked in administration, body corporate and sales roles. With a keen eye for detail, combined with excellent planning and organisational skills, Marcia ensures our Greenslopes clinic is running smoothly.
Betsy Milne
Betsy is currently a full time student at the University of Queensland, studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons). She enjoys working with people and hopes to become a child psychologist
Sarah O'Connor
Sarah is a receptionist with over 5 years’ experience in the medical field. She is a full time student at the Australian Catholic University studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. She has also completed a degree of Exercise Sports Science and is passionate about health, gym and corgis.