Our Staff

Jane Skeen
Occupational Therapist
BAppSci (OT); Post Grad Cert (OT); RegOT (AHPRA)
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)
Jane is an Occupational Therapist who has worked in the area of Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation since 1995. After graduating from Latrobe University in 1991, Jane spent seven years in the United States, gaining additional experience in hand and upper limb rehabilitation. Jane is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association). Jane completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy through LaTrobe University and recently supervised a research project looking at outcomes for Dupuytren’s patients following Xiaflex injection.
Jane is committed to undergraduate education and has a close alliance with Deakin University. She has spent many years lecturing in the Occupational Therapy program at Deakin, focusing on assessment and management of hand and upper limb conditions, and splinting. Jane has a particular interest in the management of wrist injuries, base of thumb osteoarthritis, sport injuries and hand trauma.
You can find Jane at our main Sydney Avenue clinic Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.

Emily McMaster
Occupational Therapist
BOccThy(Hons); BForensicSc; RegOT(AHPRA)
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)
Emily graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2015. She has dedicated her work to the area of hand therapy since graduating, gaining experience across both the public and private hand therapy sectors. Emily completed a research project in her final year investigating how much time Victorian primary school children spend handwriting in the classroom while at school, which was published as a journal article in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools and Early Intervention.
Emily is committed to ongoing education to provide the best and most up to date evidence-based care to her patients. She has undertaken certified courses through the Australian Hand Therapy Association and gained her Accredited Hand Therapist credential in 2019. She regularly attends the National AHTA Conferences and attended the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT) Congress in Berlin in 2019.
Emily has a special interest in the management of soft tissue finger injuries and paediatric hand conditions and injuries – an interest strengthened since having her own bub in 2020. She offers dry needling as an additional therapy technique.
Available for appointments at our Sydney Avenue clinic Wednesdays & Fridays & in our Torquay Clinic on Mondays & Thursdays.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Occupational Therapist
BOccThy; RegOT(AHPRA)
Associate Australian Hand Therapy Association
Emily graduated as an Occupational Therapist from Deakin University in 2018. Her fieldwork placements included an 8-week hand therapy placement. This sparked her desire to further her knowledge in the area of hand therapy. Emily started at Geelong Hand Therapy in 2018 after securing a new graduate position.
Emily is committed to ongoing education to continue to develop her hand therapy knowledge. She has undertaken multiple certified courses through the Australian Hand Therapy Association and is working towards becoming an Accredited Hand Therapist. Emily is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Emily has a particular interest in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis and finger fractures.
You can find Emily at our main Geelong Clinic on Fridays.

Christina Thanas
Occupational Therapist
BOccThy; RegOT(AHPRA)
Associate Australian Hand Therapy Association
She is dedicated to placing clients at the centre of all her therapy. Christina is passionate about strategies that help clients engage in meaningful activities. She is honoured to begin a role in Hand Therapy and is looking forward to specialising in upper limb rehabilitation.
Christina is also committed to continued improvement and participating in evidenced based practice. She has recently become an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Available for appointments at our Sydney Avenue Clinic on Wednesday & Friday mornings.

Brodie Aburrow
Occupational Therapist
BOccThy; RegOT(AHPRA)
Associate Australian Hand Therapy Association
Brodie graduated as an Occupational Therapist from Deakin University in 2018.
After graduating, she moved to the United Kingdom and was able to pursue her interest in Hand Therapy within the public sector in the UK.
Brodie is committed to ongoing education and development and has undertaken multiple courses within the UK including certified courses through British Association of Hand Therapist. She is looking forward to accessing more courses through Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Brodie is an associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association.
Brodie has a keen interest in acute trauma including fractures, tendon injuries, dislocations etc and is excited to continue her hand therapy career in Australia.
Brodie is at our main Sydney Avenue clinic Monday – Friday.

Katie Yates
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Katie is currently completing her final year of her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree.
After completing her eight-week placement in hand therapy, Katie has developed a passion for upper limb rehabilitation and extending her knowledge in this field.
Katie is currently undertaking courses in hand therapy, and is a student member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association. She is excited to implement her skills in this area to support future clients in attaining their goals through evidence-based practice.

Silvia Villeda
Reception / Administration
Silvia is one of our front of house Receptionists & Administration assistants,. She joined our team after 16 years working in retail & customer service to start a new career in administration & healthcare.
When not at work Silvia enjoys spending time with her kids, cooking and travelling.
Silvia is based at our Geelong clinic Monday – Wednesday.

Lisa Merola
Reception / Administration
Lisa joined Geelong Hand Therapy in 2025 as one of the front of house receptionist & administration team members. SHe has 10 years experience in allied healthcare private practice working in administration/reception, customer service & accounts receivable.
Lisa graduted from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Managment/ Marketing). She specifically enjoys working in environments that look after the health and wellbeing of those in the community, helping to provide them with greater quality of life.
When not working Lisa enjoys spending time with loved ones, trying new foods, visiting new places & sharing in new experiences.
Lisa is based at our Geelong clinic Wednesday – Friday.

Rebecca Madden
Socials / Administration
Rebecca join Geelong Hand Therapy in 2022 and is apart of our reception team. She has 10 years of experience in healthcare private practice and marketing.
Rebecca graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Management/Marketing) in 2021. As well as working in reception Bec manages our Facebook page & keeps our website up to date.