Extend Rehabilitation I Meet Our Team

Extend Rehabilitation Directors Mary Mitchell Wilma Walsh Marguerite Copley

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

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.

IMG_20200508_144319_200%5B1%5D_edited.jp

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.

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.

Helena Hayes

Occupational Therapist

Helena graduated from the University of Qld in 2001 with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with First Class Honours. She began working in Orthopaedics in the public hospital system where she developed an interest in treating hand conditions. This progressed to her passion as she specialized over the next 13 years in Hand Therapy before stepping into Private hand therapy 6 years ago in Brisbane. Helena is now an Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) Accredited Hand Therapist and currently sits in the role of chair of the Education Committee of the AHTA and member of the Committee of Management of the AHTA. She joined the Extend team towards the end of 2020 and enjoys all aspects of treating the upper limb. She has a passion for wound care and traumatic conditions and takes great pleasure in helping people progress from a painful injury to a return to pain-free function.

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.

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.

Jackie Robertson

Physiotherapist

Jackie graduated from the University of Queensland in 1979 and has had over 41 years of experience in treating clients of all ages and conditions.

Jackie owned and managed several large physiotherapy clinics in Toowoomba for 37 years and has recently semi-retired and started casual work at Extend Rehab at Wellington Point.

Her passion and expertise over the last 25 to 30 years has been in the diagnosis and management of shoulder conditions, especially post-surgical cases.

Jackie has a special interest in all shoulder conditions and has presented on shoulder conditions and their rehabilitation and diagnosis many times over the last two decades, both locally and nationally and has studied shoulder management both nationally and internationally.

Jackie currently is the Australian president of the Shoulder and Elbow Association of Australasia and runs regular online education sessions for the members.

Jackie is a highly active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and is currently sitting on several committees and is a regular advisor in the advocacy and policy arenas and has sat on several reference committees, both state and nationally. She is the National Chair of the APA Business Group and is active in education and development of businesses and practice principals.

Jackie has recently completed a certificate in Applied Clinical Governance which covers all aspects of patient and staff quality and safety, culture and collaboration and advanced leadership in healthcare.

Jackie has a passion for education of up and coming physiotherapists so that they can lead the profession into the future.

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.

Viana Vuvan

Physiotherapist

Viana is a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. She graduated in 2006 with first-class honours for her research in chronic whiplash associated disorders, completed a Master’s degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2011, and a PhD at the University of Queensland in 2020. Viana has worked predominantly in a private practice and currently divides her time working in private practice and teaching undergraduate students and postgraduate physiotherapists at the University of Queensland. Viana has special interests in the management of neck and upper limb pain conditions. Viana has particular expertise in the assessment and management of elbow conditions with her PhD investigating mechanisms underlying tennis elbow and its management. Viana has presented work from her PhD at both international and national conferences.

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.