Janelle graduated from physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University in 2002, and has worked exclusively in the area of hand therapy since 2004. She has worked extensively in both private practice and public health, in Melbourne and Bendigo. Janelle also works as a primary contact physiotherapist in the emergency department, and as a result has extended scope skills in the management of acute fractures and soft tissue injuries. Janelle has worked with sporting teams at the local, state, and national level, including the Bendigo Bombers VFL team, and at the Commonwealth Games.
Janelle started Hand in Hand Physiotherapy (now Central Victorian Hand Therapy) in 2006, and has grown her clientele primarily through word of mouth and reputation through both health professionals and clients.
In 2009 Janelle has achieved full membership status in the Australian Hand Therapy Association, which is only granted to therapists who have extensive clinical experience, as well as having completed relevant continuing education in the area of hand and upper limb therapy. Janelle is involved with the AHTA at a national level, on the membership and governance committees and regularly attends professional development courses.
Janelle’s main area of interest are in wrist and finger fractures, elbow trauma, and wrist pain. Outside of work Janelle is passionate about her family and the Richmond Football club.
A member of the Central Victorian Hand Therapy team since 2012, Susie graduated from Occupational Therapy at Deakin University in 2005. She developed an interest in hand therapy during the rotational program in Melbourne, and since moving to Bendigo in 2007 has continued to build specific skills and experience as a hand therapist. Susie’s interests in hand therapy include complex fractures particularly fingers, tendon and nerve injuries, burns and scar management and oedema management.
Susie travelled overseas in 2010-2011 and worked in London as a hand therapist, gaining additional experience with treating complex fractures, acute tendon repairs and paediatric hand injuries including burns and scar management. Susie has a strong interest in teaching and completed her Master’s degree in Health Science (education) in 2009-2011. Susie also has additional qualifications as an advanced lymphoedema practitioner. Susie gained full membership status in the Australian Hand Therapy Association in 2015.
Susie is currently on maternity leave, and we look forward to her return in the near future.
Kathryn graduated from La Trobe University in 2007, and begun working in hand therapy at Bendigo Health that year. She has since worked extensively in Melbourne in private practice, and continued her work at Bendigo Health. Kathryn has worked at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, gaining extensive experience in post-operative and traumatic hand injuries. Kathryn has completed extensive post graduate training in splinting courses, and is accredited to perform dry needling to assist with myofascial pain management and trigger point release. Kathryn also has a passion for assisting clients in returning to work, having been accredited as an occupational physiotherapist.
Kathryn has a particular passion in wrist soft tissue injuries and welcomes the challenge of diagnosing and managing wrist pain. In addition, Kathryn enjoys assisting clients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis improve their hand function.
Kathryn is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association, and joined our team in 2015. She commenced maternity leave in late 2017, and we wish her all the best on this next adventure.
