Cairns Occupational Therapy Staff

Kerry graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from The University of Queensland in July 1989. She worked for three years in general adult rehabilitation in Geelong prior to returning to her hometown, Cairns. After working for four years in adult rehabilitation and aged care at Cairns Base Hospital Kerry had the opportunity to work full time in Hand Therapy. For nearly three years she worked at the private practice of two Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Kerry became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) in August 1998. She is now an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) in August 1998.

She started her own private practice, Cairns Occupational Therapy, in November 1999. Kerry's work encompasses hand therapy, pain management (especially for Neuropathic Pain), lymphoedema management, burn and scar management, medicolegal assessments, worksite evaluation for injured workers, supervising Occupational Therapy students in clinical placement and increasing opportunities for Occupational Therapists.

She is an active member of the FNQ Allied Health Association and an Adjunct Lecturer in the College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University. Kerry is on the National Lymphoedema Practitioner's Register (NLPR). She is a member of the JCU OT consultative Committee and the JCU Practice Scholars Network helping to support the development of the next generations of Occupational Therapists.

Kerry and her husband have three children and has been a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 2000. She is passionate about teamwork, supporting local service providers and providing holistic care.

In 1986 Nicola Phibbs graduated with a Diploma of Occupational Therapy from the Central Institute of Technology, New Zealand. She worked for 2 years as a psychosocial Occupational Therapist in NZ before pursuing her interest in occupational rehabilitation in Australia in 1989.

In Sydney Nicola developed skills working in a multi-disciplinary occupational rehabilitation team both in the private and public sector. She gained extensive clinical experience in Functional Capacity Evaluations, injury management education, work site/station assessments and return to work programs.

With this experience behind her Nicola moved to Cairns in 1992 and setup both the Occupational Therapy Assessment Clinic for the QLD Workers' Compensation Board and a private clinic for a Brisbane rehabilitation service. For 18 months Nicola further consolidated her occupational rehabilitation skills within local and regional industries.

After raising her two sons through their primary school years Nicola returned to Occupational Therapy to consolidate and further expand her knowledge of occupational rehabilitation, hand therapy and soft tissue injury management.

Nicola's creative interests away from work include the piano and the arts. She also enjoys keeping fit, bush walking, fishing and anything that involves the whole family!

Rebecca Morrison graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from James Cook University, Townsville in 2008. During her final years of study Rebecca had the opportunity to complete an honours project on the lived experience of Lymphoedema in women post breast cancer treatment. Rebecca was able to present her preliminary findings of her study at an International Cancer Conference, held in Townsville 2007.

Rebecca has since worked in western Queensland as a community and aged care therapist and then spent a year in Tasmania in a regional hospital focusing on orthopaedics.

Rebecca is now focusing on workplace rehabilitation and Lymphoedema management whilst increasing her clinical skills in soft tissue injury management and upper limb therapy.

A true Cairns local, Rebecca is glad to be back in her home town after years of being away. In her spare time Rebecca enjoys reading, creative writing, spending time with family and friends, as well as walking her very enthusiastic Border Collie.

Deirdre graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from Cumberland College of Health Sciences (Sydney) in 1987. She worked for several years in orthopaedics, adult rehabilitation and community health in Sydney before moving to the Hunter Valley to work as a school based Occupational Therapist.

Deirdre spent 2 years working in rural Zimbabwe as part of the Australian Volunteers Abroad program, working mainly with children in the hospital and remote villages. On returning to Australia she moved to Broken Hill where she spent 15 years working in Occupational Rehabilitation, gaining experience in managing return to work programs, Functional Capacity Evaluations, pre-employment assessments and injury management.

Deirdre moved to Cairns at the beginning of 2015. She has been working in community Occupational Therapy positions, organising home modifications and equipment prescription prior to joining Cairns Occupational Therapy. Deirdre is focusing on workplace rehabilitation and home assessment while increasing her clinical skills in upper limb therapy and soft tissue injury management.

When she's not busy being an OT, she sings in a choir, enjoys kayaking, walking, travel and photography.

Natasha graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from James Cook University in December 2018. She has worked in aged care and disability services where she has assisted clients of all ages and disabilities.Through working in disability services Natasha has gained experience in the NDIS. This included Occupational Therapy, equipment prescription and major home modifications.

Natasha is now focusing on Aged Care and NDIS assistive technology prescription and home modifications, as well as pre-employment screenings for support workers and mining employees.

A Cairns local, she enjoys spending time with her family, her multitude of pets, and horse riding on weekends.

Amanda Donald graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from James Cook University, Townsville in 2008. Amanda worked in mental health services for three years after graduation in Mackay and Cairns. Amanda then worked in the community and private sector in Cairns and Brisbane providing home based services to support clients to overcome barriers to their engagement in meaningful and purposeful activity including; equipment prescription, home modification, cognitive rehabilitation and falls prevention.

Amanda then relocated to Darwin (Northern Territory) where Amanda had the opportunity to provide NDIS funded occupational therapy services supporting participants who experienced disabilities that impacted upon their physical, cognitive, communication and psychosocial functioning. Providing comprehensive assessment, therapy, equipment prescription and home modifications to support participants to work towards their goals and priorities in life.

Amanda enjoys working with clients and families in their own environment to develop a holistic, person-centred understanding of their unique situation. Then working together to identify creative, individual strategies to support the person to engage in activities that are meaningful and purposeful to them.

Amanda and her family are thrilled to be back in Cairns enjoying re-exploring the incredible natural environment and the vast array of family friendly activities. When not enjoying time with her family Amanda enjoys exercise, reading and spending time with friends.

Lisa graduated with a Diploma of Occupational Therapy from the Central Institute of Technology, New Zealand in 1992. She worked for 10 years in Spinal Rehabilitation in both of New Zealand's Spinal Rehabilitation Units. She has also worked across a broad scope of inpatient areas primarily in adult rehabilitation and community health across various communities within New Zealand.

Lisa spent 8 years working in North East Arnhem Land, Australia as part of the Mission Aviation Fellowship. She worked as a pilot providing essential services to remote indigenous communities. On returning to New Zealand she spent time reconnecting with family and returned to Occupational Therapy working in regional hospitals and in remote inpatient and community settings in the area of adult rehabilitation (and assistive technology)

Lisa moved to Cairns in June 2021. Lisa is focusing on home assessment and modifications and assistive technology prescription for NDIS, DVA and Aged Care Package clients, while increasing her clinical skills in Workplace rehabilitation.

When she's not busy being an OT, she enjoys walking, horse riding and exploring all the local region has to offer, especially its tropical delights!

Mignon graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from James Cook University in 2021. Mignon has experience in many areas of healthcare and she understands the beneficial impact of holistic care on the client's rehabilitation journey.

With a focus in hand therapy practice, Mignon is working towards her accreditation with the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA). She has an interest in function restoration for hand fractures, burns, and chronic hand conditions.

In her spare time, you will find Mignon in her studio making pottery, and cooking delicious food for her friends and family.