Therapist Profiles

SUZANNE CARAGIANIS, PRINCIPAL

Suzanne is an accredited OT and a Certified Hand Therapist. She is a full member of both the Australian Hand Therapy Association, the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists, the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) and the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia inc. (HFESA). Suzanne Caragianis graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from SAIT (University of SA) in 1985 with a keen interest in treating hand injuries and burns. Since 1986 Suzanne has completed over 55 specialist courses to improve her knowledge and skills in the treatment of hand and upper limb disorders. In addition she has been co investigator in multiple clinical research studies, all of which have been presented at national and international conferences. She has also been published in peer review journals. In 2010, Suzanne embarked on a medical missionary to the Kingdom of Bhutan where she and Dr Philip Griffin went to teach, train and establish a Hand Therapy unit. In January 2011, Suzanne returned to Bhutan to teach and further develop hand therapy units in the capital Thimphu and in Eastern Bhutan in Mongar at the large Regional Hospital. Suzanne has a passion for teaching and mentoring. She has spoken in many countries including: Keynote speaker in New Zealand, Invited Speaker to the International Hand Therapy Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey; lectured in Toronto Canada (ASHT) and in Vancouver (IFSHT), Switzerland, USA and India on several occasions. She has a keen interest in research and has recently completed a 2 year study with Dr Andrew Potter, Sports Physician, Dr Nicola Massey-Westropp, University of SA on the “Outcome of Autologous Blood Injection in the treatment of Chronic Common Extensor Origin tendinopathy”. She is currently to Co-Scientific Chair for the upcoming National Australian Hand Therapy Association Conference in Adelaide in October 2012. In February 2013 Suzanne will be retuning to the Kingdom of Bhutan with Dr Philip Griffin and Dr Jeff Ecker to further hand care treatment in Bhutan. Suzanne has now been working in her private practise for 20 years and prides herself in having an excellent and skilful hand therapy team. She is also an adjunct clinical lecturer with the School of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Australia. Suzanne consults at all 4 clinics – Daw Park (Monday and Friday), Flinders Private (Tuesday), North Adelaide (Wednesday) and Mawson Lakes (Thursday).

DAVID MUTTON

Dave is a member of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. Dave has been working at Suzanne Caragianis and Associates since 2005. He was initially employed in a part time capacity after an impressive 3rd year clinical placement. Since December 2005, Dave has been a full time employee. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. Dave has updated his clinical skills and knowledge through regular training in a variety of areas including complex splinting and chronic pain and neural mobilisation. He further has been co-investigator in a clinical trial on outcomes following CMC joint surgery. His areas of interests are sports injuries, acute traumatic hand injuries and nerve compressions with particular skills in making specialised splints. Dave consults at all 3 clinics - Mawson Lakes (Monday and Tuesday), North Adelaide (Wednesday & Friday) and Daw Park (Thursday).

MICHAEL JANETZKI

Michael is an Associate member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and a Member of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. Michael completed his Honours Thesis on Chronic Disease Self Management, and has since refined his interest in Pain Management and Neural Mobilisation through clinical practice at our Mawson Lakes clinic. Michael commenced employment with Suzanne Caragianis & Associates in 2003, becoming a senior therapist in 2007. During this time as a qualified practitioner Michael has completed numerous courses in the assessment and treatment of hand and upper limb injuries and chronic pain. Special Interest: Particular areas of interest include wrist biomechanics & ulna-carpal pathology/instability, and neural tension/hypersensitivity disorders. Michael consults at Mawson Lakes (Monday – Thursday) and Daw Park (Friday).

JORDAN LEFMANN

Jordan is a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy Association and an accredited OT through the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. He graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Sydney in 2002 and commenced working in community-based organisations with people who have a disability. Six years of working in the areas of autism, physical and neurological disability and spinal cord injury fostered Jordan's understanding of the real life issues that affect people from many different backgrounds. He also has experience as a vocational therapist conducting worksite assessment and job analysis. Since 2008 Jordan has discovered his passion for treating hand and upper limb conditions and worked exclusively in a private hand clinic based in North Queensland. During this time, he completed post-graduate courses including pain management, hand trauma, static splinting and dynamic splinting. He also successfully completed a post graduate hand therapy module at Monash University. Jordan enjoys all areas of hand therapy and is particularly interested in splint fabrication, acute and chronic oedema, scar management and sporting finger injuries. Jordan is based at our Daw Park clinic on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and consults at Mawson Lakes on Mondays and Wednesdays

ALEXANDRA SMALLMAN

Alex joined Suzanne Caragianis & Associates in 2009 after completing a four month internship. She graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy in November 2009. We were so impressed with her enthusiasm and thorough patient care that we asked her to join the team. Alex has completed advanced training in splinting and acute hand care and treatment of traumatic hand injuries. She has also undertaken advanced training in myofascial pain and completed a Dry Needling Course with Andrew Gallagher. She has been involved in clinical research on Autologous Blood Injection for chronic Common Extensor Origin tendinosis. Alex has written several talks for the course on Hand & Upper Limb Rehabilitation presented in Bhutan January 2012. Alex has had the opportunity to develop greater understanding of Chronic Pain through studying under Michael Janetzki, Occupational Therapist and using the concepts of Mr David Butler, author or Explain Pain. Alex is currently working at Mawson Lakes on Monday, Wednesday afternoon and Thursdays, Daw Park on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and at North Adelaide on Fridays.

VANESSA HOLOHAN

Vanessa graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree, in 2004. Vanessa has also graduated from the Flinders University of South Australia, with a Bachelor of Science, Honours in Medicine, in 1996. Vanessa has been a co-investigator on a number of research studies and has published an article in an international peer-reviewed journal, on best-practice for the treatment of acute Low Back pain. Vanessa has wide-ranging experience as a physiotherapist. She has worked in private practice, in hospitals and with elite athletes at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Vanessa has also developed specialist skills in occupational injury management and workplace manual handling training, and ergonomic assessment. Most recently, she has been employed at the Defence force, treating a broad range of injuries suffered by Australia’s Army, Navy and Air force personnel. As a physiotherapist, Vanessa is experienced in treating musculoskeletal injuries of all body parts, and is now further developing her skills in the treatment of upper limb injuries. Vanessa has developed a special interest in work-related injuries, and the return of injured workers to suitable duties. Recently, Vanessa travelled with Suzanne to teach and work in Bhutan. She ran courses on Neck and Shoulder Anatomy and treatment and worked in Thimphu and Punakha Hospitals. Vanessa consults at North Adelaide (Monday and Wednesday) and Mawson Lakes (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).

JACQUI LANGLEY

Jacqui Langley graduated from the University of South Australia in 1995 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. She has since spent the last 14 years working in the United Kingdom where she was a member of the British Association of Hand Therapists and the British Association of Occupational Therapists. Four years at the Royal London Hospital provided exposure to extreme trauma cases and a world leading teaching environment, and this was followed by other large county hospitals, as well as private practice. Her wide span of experience covers the treatment of patients post Orthopaedic and Plastic surgery, including complex traumatic hand injuries, as well as rheumatological, neurological and general upper limb conditions. Her areas of personal focus and interest include elective surgery patients and post operative management of trauma cases, especially tendon injuries. During her time in the UK, Jacqui attended 18 specialist national training courses including Advanced Dynamic and Static Splinting, Management of Hand and Wrist Trauma, Neurosplinting, and Management of Spasticity.

Last Updated: 21/02/2012