I strive to create an environment conducive to optimal healing and outcomes for each and every patient. After 30 rewarding years of hand therapy practice, Karen now uses her experience and knowledge to create an environment at Melbourne Hand Rehab for optimal healing for our patients and rewarding careers for our talented team. Karen provides strong leadership and training to our growing team and hopes to help more people by paying forward her expertise to those with a whole career of helping ahead of them. Karen’s goal is to provide the best clinical environment conducive to providing exceptional treatment and ideal outcomes for all of our patients.

My approach to care: Your hands help you participate in everyday activities for work, sport, hobbies, and caring for your family. I pride myself on being able to empathize with my patients about the challenges a hand injury can cause to your everyday life. My empathy helps me achieve a greater connection and understanding between my patients and myself and it helps me tailor and teach a rehabilitation program to achieve the best possible outcome. It was during my graduate degree that I found my passion for hand therapy. I love seeing the results my patients achieve during their hand rehabilitation program. I moved to Melbourne from the USA in 2011 and am a proud mother of two children. I also enjoy yoga, tennis, fashion, and watching football. Additional languages: Spanish for therapy purposes.

I am committed to working together with you to find a pathway that lets you return to sport safely. I am passionate about sport, with specific interest in football, rugby, eSports, gymnastics, swimming, rock climbing and ice hockey. My sports growing up were swimming, rock-climbing, and rugby. In addition to sport, I also enjoy cooking and sitting down with a good book.

I believe accurate physical diagnosis leads to an effective management strategy. I am happy to see my patients making progress in every single session. I moved to Australia from Hong Kong in 2023. In my leisure time, I enjoy distance running, reading and spending time with my kids.

I believe that our hands are the way that we all engage in our world, so it is important to be well supported in the rehabilitation of them when they’re injured. I pride myself on the ability to support my clients returning to their optimal hand function post an injury. I established my passion for Hand Therapy in university and have continued to concentrate on upper limb rehabilitation as both a general Occupational Therapist and now as a Practitioner in Hand Therapy. Outside of work, I enjoy being with family and friends, being active outside with my adorable dogs and cooking.

I am fascinated by the depth of impact that hand function has on our lives. I value working as a team with patients to maximise positive life outcomes.

My approach to care: I strongly believe in a holistic approach to therapy, as people should never be defined by their injuries. I aim to provide therapy that is evidence-based, meaningful and tailored to help achieve the specific needs of each person I treat. In my spare time you can find me doing anything crafty, such as knitting or sewing, cooking, playing music or reading a good book. I am also an avid skier once we get into the colder months.