Melissa is excited to be part of Lifemark’s multidisciplinary clinic/team of providers because she knows that a collaborative approach is often required to regain optimal function. When it comes to the hand, wrist and elbow, she is an extremely passionate expert who continues to stay on top of current practices.This client-centered philosophy is at the core of the occupational therapy model of practice, and Melissa will ensure that your needs are being met based on your goals.

Melissa has 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist, and over 15 years specializing in the treatment of acute traumatic and chronic injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow, including wound care management. Her expertise in wound care has been acknowledged by the WRHA by being asked to co-author three chapters in the WRHA Wound Care Guidelines for Therapists (not yet released).

Melissa had the opportunity of working closely with many of Winnipeg’s most experienced upper extremity plastic and orthopaedic surgeons, attending surgeries and clients’ post-surgical or initial assessments with surgeons to provide a collaborative approach of care to determine each patients’ best care plan. She believes that treating the individual person and not the diagnosis is essential to a good outcome and client experience. She will guide you through early movement, and pain guided therapy to maximize your functional restoration.

Melissa went to Philadelphia in 2008 to complete the Evelyn J. Mackin Hand Therapy Fellowship, an affiliation of Jefferson University, where she was able to work closely with the surgeons and therapists who authored the most widely-used resource for hand therapy, “ Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity”.

She has taught hand assessment and treatment to Masters students in the Occupational Therapy programs at the Jefferson University while on Fellowship, as well as in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences. She has also extended her education to plastic surgery residents and has been a resource to rural therapists, providing individual learning experiences to those wishing to expand their knowledge and skills in this specialized area of practice.

Over the years, Melissa has made thousands of orthosis (splints) and can provide you with a custom, effective, comfortable and therapeutic device, whether for immobilization, function including substitution for loss of motor function, or tissue lengthening to regain movement due scarring. She also has extensive experience and knowledge in the assessment and treatment of the upper extremity. Melissa will put you at ease with her kind and caring touch post-traumatic injury/surgery whatever your injury might be. She will guide you through your recovery process to help you return to your normal activities, as well as help you manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, nerve compressions, or motor loss from neurological conditions.