Orthopedic Consultants

Mr Peter Robertson

Orthopaedic Consultant
MBChB 1982 Otago; FRACS 1989, MD 1997 - Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon

Peter is an experienced spine surgeon.  He is involved with the surgical management of adult cervical and lumbar spine disorders ranging from degeneration to trauma, and including spinal deformity and tumours.
 
He completed his fellowship training in Australia and the USA . He has a strong interest in research and is currently involved with the University of Auckland Mechanical Engineering faculty, researching on modes of disc injury. He also performs clinical outcomes research with a specific focus on patient focussed outcomes after surgery. Peter is the Asia-Pacific Representative on the executive of ISSLS – the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine – and will host that society’s annual meeting in Auckland in 2010.  Peter has numerous basic science and clinical outcomes research articles published in international peer reviewed spine literature.
 
Peter is based at The Orthopaedic Clinic at Mercy Specialist Centre, and his public practice is at Auckland City Hospital.  He runs a busy clinic once a week for TBI Health patients at our Greenlane site.

Mr Geoffrey Coldham

Orthopaedic Consultant
MBChB; FRACS (Ortho), Spinal Surgeon

Geoff Coldham is a fellowship trained spinal and orthopaedic surgeon who completed his post graduate training in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Toronto, Canada.

He is based in his public practice at the Spinal Service at Middlemore Hospital and in his private practice at The Orthopaedic Clinic at the Mercy Specialist Centre.

Geoff is an active member of the New Zealand Spine Society, Australian Spine Society and North Amercian Spine Society. 

Mr Wesley Bevan

Orthopaedic Consultant
MBChB 1995 Auckland, FRACS (Ortho) 2003, Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Wesley is a graduate of the University of Auckland and a New Zealand trained orthopaedic surgeon. He has completed subspecialty training in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Washington, Seattle and children's orthopaedics at Starship Hospital and at the University of Washington, Seattle.  His public hospital appointment is at Middlemore Hospital.

Wesley is interested in the treatment of all foot and ankle conditions occurring in both children and adults. 

Clinic Manager/Physiotherapist

Penny Aitken

Clinic Manager / Physiotherapist
Penny Aitken (BPhty, MNZSP, PGDip Bus Admin) 

Penny joined the TBI Health team in Wellington in 2005 and was Clinic Manager at Lower Hutt in 2006 before transferring to Auckland.  She has worked with many sports teams including Wellington NPC Netball, Capital Shakers and was physiotherapist for the Wellington ITF International Women’s Tennis Tournament in 2006. In 2008, Penny was physiotherapist for Wellington Women’s Hockey team in their national event.   

Clinic Administration

Sonja Groothoff

Clinic Administration


Sonja joined TBI in June 2007 and is responsible for overseeing the administration and reception aspects of the clinic.

Physiotherapists

Linda Lee

Physiotherapist
BPhty; MNZSP

Linda graduated from Otago in 1995, and has over 10 years experience. Linda has worked in New Zealand and spent two and a half years in the UK in both the public and private sector. Linda has transferred to Auckland in 2007 after five years working in our Wellington clinics.  Linda has a special interest in working with muscle balance clients and pilates.

Sasa Sajjavanich

Physiotherapist
BHSc (Physiotherapy)

Sasa completed her physiotherapy degree at AUT in 2006. Sasa joined the TBI Health team in 2007.  She has a particular interest in Pilates based rehabilitation and previously worked at a Pilates clinic before joining TBI.  Sasa is currently completing a Postgraduate certificate in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture at AUT.

Matt Hylla

Physiotherapist
BPhty, MNZSP

Matt emigrated from England in 2003 and completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Otago University in 2007. He joined the Auckland team in 2008. He has an interest in Sports Physiotherapy and is currently studying for his Post Graduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine. He has a particular interest in football, and has been working with the Auckland-Manukau United FC academy, Ellerslie AFC and at the Napier Under-19 Football Tournament.

Sorcha Roberts

Physiotherapist
BPhty, MNZSP

Sorcha Graduated from Otago University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. She worked at Otago Rehabilitation Services were she mainly focused on rehabilitation following surgery. She is also part time working as a Barista and has done some training with Provention in injury prevention at the work place. 

Rory Martin

Physiotherapist
BPhty, MNZSP

Rory graduated from University of Otago in 2008.  Throughout his training he provided services to Dunedin Rugby Club as well as playing for Varsity Rugby.  He has been involved in a variety of sports with his special interest in snowboarding which has lead him to spending a season in British Columbia CA and competing at a national level.  Rory is physiotherapist for the Ellerslie Eagles League Club.

Kinesiologists

Robyn Vermeulen

Kinesiologist
(BSc Kinesiology)

Robyn completed her degree in Vancouver, Canada and worked at CBI Health in Calgary Canada before moving to New Zealand. She develops functional rehabilitation programs, performs work site assessments and creates gradual return to work programs. She has an interest in core stability and proprioceptive training. Robyn is currently completing further training as a physiotherapist.

Jessica Spouler

Kinesiologist
(BSc Kinesiology)

Jessica moved to New Zealand in 2008 after working at the Canadian Back Institute.  She has completed her degree in Vancouver, Canada with an particular interest in sports injuries and neurokinesiology.  Jessica has 6 years experience working with numerous sports teams including soccer, lacrosse, and rugby.  She specializes in rehabilitation and individualized training program development.  Jessica is currently working with the Ellerslie FC as a sports trainer.

Exercise Therapists/Sports Nutritionist

Katrin Puhe

Exercise Therapist / Sports Nutritionist
(Teaching Exam in ExSc / PGDipl, ExSc / Intern SESNZ)

Katrin graduated with a 1st State Teaching Exam in Sports and Exercise Science with a focus in health and fitness in Duesseldorf, Germany in 2004. She then moved to New Zealand to complete her Post-Graduate Diploma in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports nutrition at Wintec, in Hamilton. Currently Katrin is working on her internship as a musculoskeletal rehabilitation practitioner with SESNZ. She specializes in developing individual rehabilitation programs with a focus on functional strengthening. Prior to working for our Auckland clinic in August 2007 Katrin had gained work experience in one-on-one Pilates based rehabilitation. 

Occupational Therapists

Bonnie Yahel

Occupational Therapist
BHSc(OT)  NZROT

Bonnie completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) from Auckland University of Technology in 2001.  She has worked as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom in acute and rehabilitation settings and has a special interest in rehabilitation.  She joined the Vocational Rehabilitation team at TBI Health in February 2009.  Bonnie completes social rehabilitation assessments, work site assessments and develops and implements graduated return to work programmes to enable people to regain their independence in work and home environments following an injury or illness.

Alana McDougall

Occupational Therapist
BHSc(OT)  NZROT

Alana completed a Bachelor Occupational Therapy from Otago Polytechnic in 2002.  She has worked as an Occupational Therapist in New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in acute and vocational settings. She joined the Vocational Rehabilitation team at TBI Health in October 2008.  With a special interest in Pain management and Ergonomics, Alana completes assessments in Social and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Pain Management Psychologist

Laura McAlpine

Pain Management Psychologist
NZHPPA, MNZPS, MNZPs

Laura completed her training in Health Psychology at the University of Auckland in 2007.  She completed her internship in psychology at The Auckland Regional Pain Service where she worked with people with a broad range of pain conditions.  Laura is qualified to help people learn ways to manage their pain, as well as managing the emotional effects pain can have on peoples’ lives.  

Laura has qualifications and experience to assist with depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks and phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment to major illness and disability, loss and grieving, relationship issues, self-esteem, stress management, assertiveness training, and lifestyle changes.

Receptionists

Cathy Williams

Receptionist

Cathy joined the TBI team as receptionist in mid 2008. She is currently completing 3 diplomas in Naturopathy, Nutrition and Herbal Medicine. Cathy is planning to continue studying next year to complete a Bachelor of Health Science in Complementary Medicine, with a view to working in Health Promotion and Education.

Hanne Knoops

Receptionist

Hanne has completed her physiotherapy degree in the Netherlands in 2003 where she worked both in the public and private sector. She moved to New Zealand in November 2007 and is currently in the process of gaining registration physiotherapy of New Zealand. She joined the TBI team as receptionist in October 2008.