Meet our team of highly skilled, experienced and friendly Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Support Staff. All of our therapists have specialised in hand and upper limb therapy and have undertaken further training and experience specific to this area.
Dion Sandoz- Director and Principal Occupational Therapist
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)
Certified Hand Therapist (USA)
Dion is the Principal Therapist at Hunter Hand Rehab. Dion graduated from the University of Western Sydney in 2002 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. He has been working in the area of hand therapy since 2005, in both the public and private sector, in Australia and the United Kingdom. Dion has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 2007. Dion became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) in 2011 and became an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) when it was introduced in 2018.
Dion has presented nationally at the AHTA Conference and is a former member of the Management Committee of the AHTA. Dion also guest lectures at the University of Newcastle.
Dion is committed to promoting the specialty of hand therapy and providing high quality, well evidenced hand and wrist rehabilitation to all of his patients.
Sheree Ashton | Occupational Therapist
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA) Certified Hand Therapist (USA)
Sheree graduated from the University of Sydney in 1992 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. She worked in several general Occupational Therapy roles before going to the United States to live and work. It was here that her passion for, and practice in, hand therapy began. Since returning to Australia in 2007, Sheree has worked in several dedicated hand therapy practices and has been with Hunter Hand Rehabilitation from it's first year of opening.
Sheree became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association in 2012 and in 2018 was among the first to receive the newly developed credential of Accredited Hand Therapist, awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association. Sheree became a Certified Hand Therapist (USA) in 2021.
Sheree has over 20 years experience in hand therapy and she remains eager to further her knowledge and skills in the area. This has fuelled her passion for facilitating healthy hand function and providing quality hand therapy intervention.
Rosalie Bell | Occupational Therapist
Practitioner of Hand Therapy
Rosalie graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in 1998. She has been working in the area of Hand Therapy since 2000, gaining experience at the Royal Newcastle Hospital and the John Hunter Hospital.
Rosalie has an extensive range of experience including working for a year at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London. She worked for 5 years in hand therapy private practice in Melbourne. Rosalie then returned to the Newcastle area and joined our team at Hunter Hand Rehab in 2016.
Rosalie has worked with some very talented surgeons and is a committed, dedicated therapist who works to achieve the best possible results for her patients.
Renee Lim | Occupational Therapist
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)
Certified Hand Therapist (USA)
Renee graduated from the University of Sydney in 2002 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. She worked in many clinical areas of Occupational Therapy before starting her career in hand therapy in 2007.
Renee obtained the credential of Certified Hand Therapist in 2013. Renee became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) in 2014 and became an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) when it was created in 2018.
Renee has extensive experience working in the public hospital setting and continues to work as a senior Occupational Therapist in the specialist clinical area of Hand Therapy. Renee is excited to bring this knowledge and skills to Hunter Hand Rehab.
Renee volunteers with the AHTA and is involved with co-ordinating interest groups and in the promotion of the profession of hand therapy.
Cameron Rae | Occupational Therapist
Practitioner of Hand Therapy
Cameron graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in 2020. Since graduating, Cameron gained general occupational therapy experience working at Toronto Private Hospital; however, was always eager to work in hand therapy.
Cameron began working in hand therapy in 2022 in a rural hand therapy clinic in Wagga Wagga before returning home to Newcastle to join our team.
Cameron is excited about developing his skills and knowledge in Hand Therapy and is working towards becoming an Accredited Hand Therapist, as awarded by the AHTA.
Jebb Lane | Occupational Therapist |
Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)
Jebb graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Newcastle in 2013. He worked in a range of healthcare settings as an Occupational Therapist in both Australia and New Zealand, before transitioning into hand therapy in 2018.
Jebb worked in hand therapy in New Zealand while completing his Postgraduate Certificate In Hand and Upper Limb Therapy at Auckland University of Technology in 2018. He attained Accredited Hand Therapist status as awarded by the New Zealand Association of Hand Therapy in 2019.
Jebb returned to Australia in 2019 and continued his work in hand therapy, becoming an Accredited Hand Therapist as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association in 2021.
Jebb joined the Hunter Hand Rehab team in 2024, eager to continue his provision of evidence-based, high quality treatment of hand and upper limb conditions.
Julia Gannon | Occupational Therapist
Practitioner of Hand Therapy
Julia graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honors) in 2023. During her studies Julia completed a placement in Hand Therapy at St George Hospital in Sydney. This experience has inspired her to seek a career in hand therapy.
Julia is an enthusiastic new graduate occupational therapist who is keen to expand her knowledge and skills in hand therapy. She is passionate about pursuing a career in hand therapy and is working towards the goal of becoming an Accredited Hand Therapist.
Suanne Conlan | Practice Manager
Suanne has an extensive background in reception and administration. Initially she worked in banking and in 2004 started working in the medical sector, gaining valuable experience in both private and public systems.
Suanne has been with Hunter Hand Rehab from the start, helping set up the clinic in 2013. Her approachable manner will assist in your visit to our clinic, making you at ease from start to finish.
Kassie Hunter | Receptionist
Kassie has over 20 years of office administration experience in the medical field.
Kassie joined HHRC in April 2023 and is a smiling face to welcome you into HHRC. Nothing is too hard for Kassie and she’ll find a way to make it happen.