Presenters
Meet our leading instructors at Hand Coach.
Our Presenters
Alison has 30 years’ experience in Occupational Therapy and Hand Therapy.
She graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1993 with a BSc Degree in Occupational Therapy. She then worked for a few years in New York and London, developing her passion for paediatrics, neuro and hand therapy. Choosing to emigrate to New Zealand in 1998, Alison took a role as OT Section Head of burns, plastics and hand therapy at Middlemore Hospital, helping plan and develop the growing services there. Alison moved into private practice, working and co-partnering a clinic with a hand therapy and vocational rehabilitation focus.
When she started her family in 2004, she made the choice to work part time in private practice, while continuing to enjoy a great work-life balance with her family. She has maintained a clinical caseload, while also supervising, training, coaching and mentoring OT and physio colleagues for the past 20 years.
She has been involved with Hand Therapy New Zealand on the Education Committee for many years and continues to be involved with the AUT Hand and Upper Limb (HAUL) post graduate program. She has presented splinting workshops throughout the country since the very first Smith & Nephew courses back in 2000 and with Therapy Specialties / At Therapy since 2004!
These courses are approved by Hand Therapy New Zealand as part of the pathway toward achieving full registration.
Alison Coyle
Registered Hand Therapist, MOTNZ
With over a decade of clinical experience, Tom has been practicing as a physiotherapist since 2011, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in 2014 and a Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation in 2022 as part of registration with Hand Therapy New Zealand.
Currently balancing dual roles, Tom works as a registered hand therapist with Hands On Rehab and also continues clinical practice two days a week as a physiotherapist at Auckland Shoulder Clinic. This combination of hand and upper limb expertise provides a unique perspective on assessment, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary care.
Tom Mason
Mandy’s involvement with physical therapy spans nearly 20 years. She originally qualified with a Bachelor of Neuromuscular Therapy and Diplomas in Therapeutic and Sport Massage, before completing a five year Master of Osteopathy.
She has worked with a vastly diverse clientele from elite athletes, to victims of war crimes…and everything in between. Her time is split between her clinical practice, lecturing at AUT University and enjoying life 🙂 She will be sharing with you really practical, hands-on skills from her learnings over the years.
Mandy Crawford
Mario is a Senior Physiotherapist at Active+ in Papakura, currently working in private practice. He is actively involved in teaching through the Active+ New Graduate program and assists with lecturing in the Physiotherapy program at AUT.
He has a particular clinical interest in managing neck and shoulder conditions. He will be focussing on the fundamentals of neurodynamics: nerves as a continuum, differential diagnosis, nerve tests, palpation, treatment strategies etc
Mario Vedanayagam
Deane Bell is a passionate occupational therapist and Registered Hand Therapist with over 10 years experience in the burns and scar management service at Waikato Hospital. Deane has always had an interest and drive for education within this setting and helped mentor therapists around New Zealand, offering advice and education within this area, working closely with the burns and plastics surgical team to help push and drive development and initiatives within this area.
Having 2 young girls, her career pathway has moved to the private setting close to her family home in Cambridge. Her drive is to ensure clients participate collaboratively with their scar rehab through good education / understanding, and to use evidence based practice within the development of personalized treatment programs.