Cathy Thomas was the successful recipient of the ‘Pioneer Award’, presented here by the Hon John Day MLA, Minister for Health.
Cathy is an occupational therapist in hand therapy who started her own occupational therapy private practice in 1995. Specialised Hand Therapy Services has since grown to be one of the biggest hand therapy practices in Perth and also Australia. Cathy now has a team of 24 OT staff and 9 practice locations in WA including two in the rural areas of Albany and Busselton. Cathy was noted for her significant contributions in developing private practice in OT in WA: “Cathy Thomas commenced in private practice in hand rehabilitation over twenty years ago, over this period her practice has continued to grow and is now a well-recognized provider of occupational therapy services in this specialist field. Cathy is a significant employer of occupational therapists who nurtures and supports both new graduates and those returning to the workforce after parental leave. Cathy Thomas is a highly dedicated occupational therapist who is committed to advancing the role of occupational therapy in hand rehabilitation. Cathy’s commitment to her profession and her contribution to this area of practice has been significant.”
We congratulate all of this year’s award winners;
Pioneer Award- Cathy Thomas, Clinical Excellence in Paediatrics Award- Sarah Evans, Young Therapist Award- Renee Sloot, Recognition of Service Award- Linley Jones, Student Award- Katie Partridge, Lorna Sherlock Award- Karleen Llewellyn, OT Entrepreneur Award- Kristie Harper