About

Emily joined our team in October 2022 and is a part of the administration team, Emily will be one of the first people you speak to when you call or arrive for a clinic appointment. Emily always has a smile on her face and loves getting to know the clients at Apricus Health. 

Qualifications

Occupational Therapy Student, James Cook University

About

My dream career has always been to become a Paediatric Occupational Therapist. I am currently pursuing this goal by studying at James Cook University (JCU), where my degree is enhancing my knowledge and fuelling my passion for the field. I graduated from The Cathedral School in 2023. Originally, I was born and raised on the Central Coast of Sydney.

In my free time, I enjoy taking my border collie puppy, Jake, for walks along the beach and playing tennis, both of which help me maintain a balanced lifestyle while I focus on my studies.

Special Interests

Paediatrics

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About

Lauren is the principal Occupational Therapist and Clinic Manager at our Burdekin Clinic and is passionate about providing highly skilled, evidence based, hand and upper limb treatment in a rural setting. Lauren completed her studies of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2005 and has experience working in both the private and public practice settings, in a diverse range of clinical areas including acute and community paediatric care, acute burn management and acute upper limb and hand management.

Lauren joined our team in 2012 and has since worked exclusively in the area of hand, wrist, and elbow rehabilitation as well as upper limb neurological rehabilitation. Lauren is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and has attended numerous hand and upper limb workshops and conferences to enhance her skills.

Lauren is trained in the use of dry needling and has obtained postgraduate training in soft tissue treatment. In 2015 Lauren was awarded JCU Outstanding Alumni Award for excellence in her field. 

Special Interests

Hand Therapy, Upper Limb Fractures care, Upper Limb Neuro

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Accredited Hand Therapist,Certificate of Advanced Soft Tissue Management, Graduate of The Australian Company of Directors,  Diploma of Business Management.

About

Cassandra is one of the founders of Apricus Health and holds the position of Head of Clinical Services. She is an occupational therapist with over 20 years experience in a variety of areas having worked in disability, aged support, rehabilitation and hand therapy. Cassandra has worked in senior positions in both the private and public sector, in Australia and the United Kingdom. Cassandra is a guest lecturer at James Cook University in the subjects of Upper Limb Anatomy, Hand Therapy and Orthotics/Splinting. She is also involved in the training of General Practitioners and other allied health professionals on hand and wrist injuries. Cassandra has experience treating children who have had physical trauma and burns, as well as those with differences in the hand and upper limb. Her exposure to a variety of occupational therapy settings is of benefit to her new area of work with children with additional needs and their families. 

Special Interests

Hand Therapy, Burns Management, Play-based Therapy,  Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

Qualifications

Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nottingham. Commencing post-graduate studies this year in Healthcare Management.

About

Abbey joined our team in early 2023 as our Operations Manager. She has 5 years of experience working in varied healthcare settings from hospital administration to multi-site dental practice management.

Abbey is an approachable and inventive leader that is looking forward to supporting the Apricus Health Team in their day-to-day operations.

She specialises in streamlining processes, increasing operational efficiency and ensuring excellent client experiences.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Health Science, Master of Occupational Therapy - Flinders University

About

Laura is a recent graduate from Flinders University. Through her university placements she has had the opportunity to gain experience in various areas of practice including hand therapy, youth and adolescent mental health, sub-acute spinal rehabilitation, paediatrics and community. Laura developed an interest in upper limb therapy during her degree and is keen to develop her skills through the support of the Apricus Health Hand Therapy team. 

Special Interests

Sporting Injuries, Upper-limb Neuro and Pain Management

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About

David is the Team Leader and one of our Senior Occupational Therapists working across the lifespan. He has substantial experience working in community aged support and the disability sector. He works with a range of clients with varying physical and intellectual abilities in the clinic and in the community including school visits.

David completed his Bachelor of Occupational Therapy where he completed multiple placements in several different contexts. David decided on Occupational Therapy as a profession after accompanying his cousin on various health appointments and saw the benefits that his cousin’s occupational therapist brought to his life.

David has project management experience working closely with James Cook University to coordinate community student placements. David also works with schools in North and Northwest Queensland to support children of all abilities in the classroom. David is passionate about all areas of his practice, enjoys the Townsville lifestyle as he has grown up here and loves to stay active and outdoors on his weekends.

Special Interests

Life Skills Development, Aged Support

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Graduate Diploma in Ergonomics,

About

Kerry is an Occupational Therapist with an extensive 35 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist working in hospitals, community, private practice, and tertiary education. Kerry has recent experience in community aged care and adult disability within NDIS and has developed a keen interest in dementia care.

Kerry has also worked in areas of acquired brain injury rehabilitation, work rehabilitation, ergonomics and private practices throughout Australia and the UK. Kerry was also a lecturer and practice education coordinator at James Cook University in the occupational therapy program from 2004-2018. Her academic areas of expertise include reflective practice, professional practice, and professional reasoning.

Kerry thoroughly enjoys her work as an Occupational Therapist as she is able to continuously learn and rise to new challenges.  Kerry enjoys working with people to provide solutions to assist them in participating in their everyday activities.  Kerry grew up in Ingham however has called Townsville home for the past 30 years.

Special Interests

Dementia Care, Acquired Brain Injury, Equipment Prescription

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

About

Tahlia is an empathetic and cheerful paediatric occupational therapist, who graduated from James Cook University in 2024 with Honours. Tahlia believes in a wholistic approach to maximise children’s functional independence through tailored therapy plans that are focused on supporting their daily living activities.

Special Interests

Tahlia is passionate about helping the children and their families achieve their desired goals. In her personal time, she enjoys going for walks and surrounding herself with loved ones.

Qualifications

Cert III Business Administration

About

Charlize is the newest face of our administration team; she is currently undertaking a traineeship with Apricus Health where she will gain a Certificate III in Business. Charlize looks forward to meeting all the Apricus Health clients, learning new skills and gaining valuable on-the-job experience from the Apricus team.

Qualifications

Occupational Therapy Student at JCU

About

I am currently in my 2nd year of Occupational therapy at JCU. I am enjoying immersing myself in all aspects of occupational therapy here at Apricus Health. I am grateful to be provided the opportunity to be surrounded by a wealth of knowledge within numerous scopes of occupational therapy I can't wait to see how my skills as a therapy assistant will benefit me going forward and helping me become the best OT I can be when I graduate!

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About

Zach is one of our Senior Occupational Therapist working across the lifespan and has experience in both the public and private sector of the allied health field. Zach has substantial experience in the NDIS and works in the areas of paediatrics, mental health, assistive technology, home modifications and life skill development/training. Zach joined our team at the beginning of 2017 and enjoys the challenges and problem solving with clients to achieve the best outcomes possible.

Zach has lived in Townsville most of his life. However, he has also spent time living in Scotland and South Africa. Zach had an interest in Occupational Therapy ever since leaving school and knew it was something he wanted to, in order to give back to the community. Zach has a strong passion for mental health, disability, and the aged care sector.

Special Interests

Seating and Wheelchair Prescription, Adaptive Equipment, Mental Health

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About

Liana is one of the Occupational Therapists at our Burdekin Clinic, predominantly working in the community however she also has experience working as a senior hand therapist in the public sector. Liana completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours in 2009 and has experience working in both the private and public practice settings, in a diverse range of clinical areas and with all ages across the life span.

Liana initially joined our team in 2021 and took some time off to focus on her role as "Mum" after having her second son. Liana re-joins us in 2024, keen to return to helping her clients live their best lives.

Special Interests

Hand Therapy, Acute Burns Management

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), with Distinction

About

Shenaye joined the Apricus team in 2023 as a Therapy Assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience across various therapeutic settings. She completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2024, building a solid foundation in OT principles.

As a qualified Occupational Therapist, Shenaye works in the community sector, combining evidence-based practice with an understanding of the unique challenges faced by each client. She works collaboratively with clients, their families and other health professionals to develop tailored interventions that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. Whether assisting with adaptive equipment, home modifications or life skills development, Shenaye’s focus is to empower individuals to reach their full potential and live life on their terms.

Special Interests

Shenaye is passionate about supporting the elderly to age in place

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

About

Lucia commenced working with Apricus in 2024. Lucia graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2022. During her university placements, Lucia gained experience in a range of practice areas including paediatrics, rehabilitation and home modifications. Lucia is passionate aboutworking across the lifespan and is eager to create therapy plans and achieve therapy goals.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy Studies

About

Alison is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Queensland in 2019 and believes in the importance of seeking out ongoing educational opportunities. 

Alison has worked in her preferred area of practice as a practitioner of hand therapy since her graduation.

Originally based in Brisbane Alison relocated to Townsville in early 2022.

She enjoys looking at each client's case individually and creating unique plans based on their own personalised goals.

Special Interests

Hand Therapy, Workplace Injuries.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours – Class I)

About

Alexandra completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours – Class I) in 2020.  She completed her final clinical placement at Helping Hands where her passion for hand therapy emerged, enabling her to truly appreciate the importance of our upper limbs in everyday activities.

Alexandra is also an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) and is pursuing her accreditation as a hand therapist.

Special Interests

Special interest: Fractures, Tendinopathies and Finger Injuries

About

Jenny is our Administration Team Leader and Finance Manager with more than 21 years of experience in various industries. Prior to joining our allied health team, Jenny owned a successful business for a decade, worked in the building industry, and held a long-term position as an accounts manager. Her diverse background equipped her with a strong foundation in finance and operations, which has allowed her to excel in her current role.

Jenny's passion for streamlining procedures and policies is evident in her work. She is committed to helping the team achieve greater efficiency by implementing best practices and optimizing workflows. Her attention to detail and dedication to continuous improvement has earned her a reputation as a reliable and trusted leader, both professionally and personally.

Outside of work, Jenny loves spending quality time with her family and travelling to new places. She enjoys exploring different cultures and learning about their customs and traditions. Her passion for life outside of work translates to her positive and supportive leadership style.

About

Isla has recently located from Darwin, NT where she worked at a busy hand therapy clinic as a part of their administration team. Isla has just begun her studies at James Cook University as an Occupational Therapy Student, Isla is grateful to be working within the Occupational Therapy world whilst studying, and is excited to one day make a difference in clients lives as an OT. 

Qualifications

Occupational Therapy Student, James Cook University

About

Tahlia joined Apricus Health in February 2025 as an Administrative Assistant while studying to become an Occupational Therapist. With a background in medical administration and customer service, she is excited to support both clients and practitioners through smooth day-to-day operations. Tahlia is committed to creating an efficient and welcoming environment with a strong focus on organisation and client centred care.

Outside of work, she enjoys bouldering, playing Catan, and spending time outdoors. Tahlia looks forward to learning and growing alongside the Apricus Health team as she continues her journey in occupational therapy.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner (ALA)

About

Maggie is a Senior Occupational Therapist and newly accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner with experience in providing occupational therapy services across rural acute and clinical settings. Maggie's career has been centred on delivering holistic, client-focused care, particularly within a sole rural generalist role. In this capacity, she has supported a broad spectrum of clinical areas, including acute inpatient and outpatient services, with experience in the following:
? Hand therapy
? Lymphoedema and vascular oedema management
? Home modifications and equipment prescription
? Acute rehabilitation
? Palliative care

In addition to her work in these areas, Maggie also has previous experience providing paediatric services.

Special Interests

Maggie's clinical interests are particularly focused on lymphoedema and vascular oedema management, hand therapy, and palliative care, all of which have been shaped by my experience as a rural generalist Occupational Therapist. Maggie is committed to utilising evidence-based practices to enhance client outcomes, with a continued focus on improving functional independence and quality of life.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Graduate Certificate of Research Methods, Master of Public Health-Master of Business Administration, Graduate of the Australian Company of Directors

About

Joanna is an occupational therapist with 15 years experience in the aged support and dementia field.

Joanna has been integral in the development and implementation of innovative health programs, education and partnerships in the North and Central Queensland regions and is passionate about providing contemporary services to support all clients and stakeholders. She is a current Board Director of Occupational Therapy Australia.

Joanna has been instrumental in the development of innovative frameworks to engage students in working with clients in a variety of contexts and locations, including the development of an international collaborative placement model working with the University of Worcester in the UK.

Joanna is passionate about supporting women in business and is a business mentor for start-ups and small business owners. Prior to Apricus Health, Joanna was the founder and managing director of Access Therapy Services for 11 years.

Special Interests

Dementia Rehabilitation, Aged support

Qualifications

Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association)

About

Letitia has completed her bachelor of Physiotherapy and has been a part of our team since 2014. As a physiotherapist Letitia brings to the clinic not only skills in upper limb therapy but also a comprehensive understanding of the neck and shoulder.

Letitia has attended numerous advanced courses in shoulder management making her a leader of shoulder injuries in North Queensland. Letitia is able to perform dry needling, hydrotherapy and has excellent skills in the use of sports and dynamic tape as an adjunct to therapy.

Special Interests

Wrist Instability, Shoulder Impingement, Elbow Tendonitis, Sports Injuries

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Certified in NDTA (Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association)

About

Juliet is an Occupational Therapist who graduated in 2007. Juliet spent the first 7 years of her career working in the area of paediatric neurological and physical rehabilitation. During her time working in this area, Juliet developed a passion for upper limb rehabilitation and in particular hypertonicity management. Juliet joined our team in 2014 and developed further skills in assessment and treatment of the upper limb. Juliet is passionate about combining her skill sets and regular treats clients post botox injections, casting and splinting for hypertonicity, post stroke rehab, children’s development and upper limb trauma.

Special Interests

Paediatrics, Upper Limb Hypotonicity, Handwriting

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (University of Queensland)

About

Kerrie is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association) and a Certified Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (USA)). Kerrie has worked in both private practice and public health. She enjoys working with clients with both surgically and non-surgically managed conditions and is confident working across the full spectrum of hand and upper limb conditions. Kerrie moved to Townsville in 2020 and loves calling it her home.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, with Honours (research)

About

Kelly joined Apricus Health in 2022 as the Team Leader for paediatric services. She has been working with children with additional needs and their families for over 20 years, both in Canada and Australia. During that time, she worked as a support worker, a school-based therapy assistant and a community-based therapy assistant before finally taking the plunge to become an occupational therapist.

She is passionate about supporting upcoming occupational therapists and has guest lectured at James Cook University.

Her own personal values of honesty, curiosity and openness guides her work. She always strives to connect with the families she supports to ensure she is helping in the most meaningful way for them.

Kelly is a trained Parent Facilitator for the Circle of Security Parenting program.

Special Interests

Relationship Based Interventions, Play-based Therapy, Family Centred Practice.

Qualifications

Occupational Therapy Student at JCU

About

I am a currently studying occupational therapy student who joined the team in July 2024. I am an athletic person who loves being outdoors and is incredibly excited for the opportunity to be working at Apricus Health and with the incredible team.

Special Interests

I am passionate about helping a diverse range of people fulfil their goals in life and enhance their quality of life as is possible with the Apricus Health team.