HomeOur Team
As a certified Hand Therapist, each Handworks therapist is highly qualified and a specialist in their field - Hand Therapy, hand occupational therapy, hand rehabilitation, and hand physiotherapy.
Hand Therapists:
Sarah Waldin - Clinic Director & Registered Hand Therapist
Sarah qualified as a physiotherapist in 1994 and developed a special interest in Hand Therapy whilst working at Middlemore Hospital.
In partnership with Julie Rouse, Sarah established Handworks in 1997, the first clinic being based in the Cornwall Medical Centre, Royal Oak.
Sarah divides her time between a clinical caseload, practice administration, and looking after a young family of 3.
Sarah is past President of NZAHT and is still involved with the Education sub-committee. She lectures on the post graduate HAUL paper at AUT.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys running and skiing.
Julie Rouse - Clinic Director & Registered Hand Therapist
Julie qualified as a physiotherapist in the UK in 1981, moving to NZ in 1986. She pursued a special interest in Hand Therapy whilst working at Middlemore, and was Section Manager for Hand Therapy (1990-96) before leaving to have a family.
In partnership with Sarah Waldin, Julie set up Handworks in 1997, recognising a need for a specialist Hand Therapy service in central Auckland; and completed her PGd in Hand Therapy in 1998.
Julie is actively involved in NZAHT, chairing the ACC committee and supervising Associate members. She lectures on the post graduate HAUL paper and has done presentations regarding Hand Therapy, both locally and nationally. She has a specific interest in Wrist instabilities and Sports Injuries.
Julie divides her time between a clinical caseload at Great South Road and Adidas Sports Medicine, practice management and her busy teenage family.
Olga Alkin - Registered Hand Therapist
Born in Russian city of Novosibirsk, Olga immigrated to NZ with family in 1997. She studied Medical Science prior to completing BHSc (physiotherapy) at AUT in 2003.
Olga developed an interest in Hand Therapy while working as a rotational physiotherapist at Middlemore Hospital, and after joining the Handworks team in 2004 she went on to achieve full RHT.
Olga's main interests in Hand Therapy are rehabilitation of post operative patients, CRPS, hand trauma. At present she is completing a PG Cert in Western Acupuncture at AUT. She divides her clinical time between the Main clinic and our Botany satellite.
Olga has held an executive position in NZAHT and organises our staff in-services. Outside of work she is a busy mother and likes to keep fit.
Marcus Bravenboer - Registered Hand Therapist
Marcus qualified as an occupational therapist, and joined Handworks in 2004 on his return from the UK, where he had worked in Hand Therapy at UCLH in London.
He completed the Hand Therapy training programme here in NZ and became a RHT in 2006.
Clinically, Marcus has special interest in injuries around the elbow, and in strengthening programmes, drawing on his past experience in fitness training.
Marcus holds the unique position of being the only male in the practice, and as such probably deserves a medal for still being here! He is a valued member of our team and brings his own inimitable sense of humour and an artistic talent to the staff room. He is the father of two active preschoolers who keep him busy when not working.
Moana Cameron - Registered Hand Therapist
Moana joined Handworks in 2007 on her return from overseas.
She began working with Hand surgery patients in 1986 at Middlemore Hospital (where she was also Julie and Sarah’s Boss !!) She spent 10 years in Riyadh (1997 – 2007) during which time she set up a Hand Therapy Unit at the National Guard Hospital, training Saudi physiotherapists in the specialty.
Since her return to NZ she has studied and passed her CHT (US exam) in order to become a RHT, and is a valued member of the Handworks team, not just for her clinical skills, but also for her pearls of wisdom and wonderful sense of humour.
Once she can drag herself away from the dreaded paperwork, Moana enjoys kapa haka, art and design, and dance. She has 3 grown up children in France, Japan and soon to be London, so it is no surprise she has a yen to travel more.
Brenda Clow - Registered Hand Therapist
Brenda joined Handworks in 2001, returning from overseas where she had started to develop an interest in treating Hand Injuries whilst working in Burns and plastics.
An experienced Hand therapist, and valued member of our team, Brenda has taken time out to start a family and is now the mother of two delightful preschoolers.
Brenda works 2 full days in the clinic and is known for her superb efficiency and time management, along with a wide range of clinical skills. She enjoys treating all conditions and has a special interest in splinting, education and burns. She is involved with the NZAHT as regional representative for Auckland.
Elaine Duguid - Registered Hand Therapist
Elaine joined the team at Handworks in 2006, emigrating to NZ with her husband and two young children from the UK.
A Scot (now fluent in Kiwi!), Elaine specialised in Hands in the UK (1996), working with Hand surgeons at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and Frenchay Regional Hospital in Bristol. Working as an advanced practioner in these outpatient clinics, Elaine established excellent diagnostic skills and is a valuable resource for the rest of the Handworks team.
Elaine works at both the Main clinic and our Botany satellite, and enjoys treating all hand patients, with a special interest in trauma.
Elaine recently completed the requirements to become a Certified Hand Therapist (US). She is a registered member of the NZAHT and lectures on the AUT post graduate HAUL paper.
Susan Fromm - Registered Hand Therapist
Susan has been with Handworks since 2007, after returning to NZ from overseas, where she gained considerable experience as a Physiotherapist in a variety of cultures.
Since her return, Susan has completed the Hand and Upper limb paper at AUT and become a RHT. She is currently completing her Masters in Health Practice with papers on Acupuncture.
Susan is a valued member of the team, bringing together her musculoskeletal and hospital based experience, with specialist skills in dry needling and trigger point therapy, and Hand Therapy.
Outside of work Susan enjoys scuba diving, swimming, cycling and travel - when she can escape!
Anouska Hall - Associate Hand Therapist
Anouska joined our team in 2009, and is currently undertaking a Post Grad Certificate in Hand and Upper Limb at AUT.
Anouska qualified as a Physiotherapist with a BHSc in 2006, and worked for 2.5 years as a rotational physiotherapist at Auckland City hospital, gaining experience in an acute and chronic setting, inpatient and outpatient.
Anouska is an enthusiastic team member, always prepared to go the extra mile and she relates well to clients from all walks of life. An accomplished soccer player, she has a keen interest in the injured athlete.
Yan Shan Lu - Registered Hand Therapist
Yan Shan joined Hand works in 2008, having worked previously as Senior Hand Therapist at the Manukau Superclinic Hand Therapy Unit.
Yan Shan trained in China as a medical Doctor, before coming to NZ where she completed her physiotherapy training, going on to work at Middlemore hospital. It was here she gained an interest in Hand Therapy that she has pursued ever since.
Yan Shan achieved her RHT status in 2007, then joined Handworks where she is a valued member of the team, always prepared to go the extra mile for her patients and colleagues.
Yan Shan practices Chinese and Western Acupuncture and has a special interest in multi trauma and complex pain problems. She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin and has two school age children.
Ann Searle - Locum Hand Therapist
Ann is a respected Hand Therapy colleague who regularly helps us out as Locum.
Ann first became interested in hands whilst employed as a new grad at Middlemore, and went on to work in a private practice on the North Shore for 10 years, with a large Hand caseload...
Ann is a talented lady with PGDs in Hand Therapy and Manual therapy, a registered Acupuncturist, and also with a degree in Zoology & Botany!
When not locuming in Hand Therapy, Ann volunteers at the Zoo in conservation medicine, runs her business in Nutrition and wellbeing, as well as spending time with her family. Much travelled, she is always looking for new places to visit.