Sharon Cannell
Director and Principal Occupational Therapist
Sharon started working in private practice in 1995, which evolved into O.T.WEST in 2001. Sharon works 4 days a week dividing her time between clinical work and management.
Sharon has 45 years experience working as an OT in acute hospital, rehabilitation and community settings in both public and private systems. She is committed to empowering and enabling people to achieve their personal goals whilst overcoming the challenges that ageing, injury and illness bring.
Sharon commenced working at SJOG Hospital Subiaco in 1995 and over the next 22 years developed the OT service as a private practice, encompassing inpatient acute services, oncology and palliative care, rehabilitation, neurology and neurosurgery, dementia assessment and management and home-visiting services. Sharon continues to provide SJOG Subiaco with home-visiting services by referral.
Sharon remains passionate about home visiting, primarily seeing Veterans, Support at Home package or privately insured clients to enable them to stay in their own homes as safely and for as long as possible.
Special Interests: Sharon has a passion for working in aged care with people at home and strategies to managing cognitive challenges impacting on function.
Favourite Things: Her grandkids, swimming, cycling, walking, travelling with her husband, crocheting, coffee, dark chocolate and her succulents.
Favourite Quote: “Challenges won’t defeat me rather enrich me.”
Kellie Petersen
Senior Occupational Therapist
Kellie has been working with O.T.WEST since 2012. She previously worked full time however since having her second son works a couple of days a week.
Prior to starting with O.T.WEST, Kellie was a Senior OT with a private hospital in Perth. She worked across all acute and rehabilitation wards including upper limb therapy. She also worked in the home-visiting department- which included equipment prescription and home modifications. It was during this time she realised she has a passion for Community Health Care and specifically aged care.
With O.T.WEST Kellie has continued her passion for community home-visiting. Kellie has further developed her skills in community based rehabilitation, pre/post discharge home visits, equipment prescription, home modification and community aged care packages. Kellie is passionate about enabling her clients to stay in their home for as long as possible.
Special Interests: Upper limb therapy, home modifications and working in aged care.
Favourite Things: spending time with her family, young sons, her dogs, the beach and holidays to tropical locations.
Favourite Quote: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” - Napoleon Hill.
Belinda Turna
Senior Occupational Therapist
Belinda has been working full-time with O.T.WEST since 2016.
Prior to commencing with O.T.WEST, Belinda worked in work place rehabilitation as an Occupational Therapist in a case-management role.
At O.T.WEST Belinda’s role is to provide community based rehabilitation, pre/post discharge home visits, equipment prescription, home modification and community aged care packages. Belinda is super organised and loves new challenges.
Special Interest: Belinda loves keeping people safe and independent and living at home for as long as possible has a special interest in aged care, equipment prescription, home modifications and neurological rehabilitation.
Favourite Things: include coffee, her online shopping addiction, a good trashy tv series, family & friends and her cat.
Favourite Quote: "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade"
Michelle Geiles
Office Manager
Michelle began working 3 days a week with O.T.WEST at the start of 2022.
She has spent the majority of her working Career at the State Government working in Environmental Protection Authority and Kings Park. For the last 15 years she has worked in small businesses always in an administrative and record keeping role.
Special Interests: Michelle loves being efficient and getting things done and enjoys speaking to clients on the phone.
Favourite Things: Cross stitching, coin collecting and gardening.
Favourite Quote: “How do you eat an elephant—— one teaspoon at a time”
Liz
Community Occupational Therapist
Originally from Singapore, Liz has lived in Perth for 14 years and is a Senior Occupational Therapist with over 9 years experience in the public hospital system. She has worked across a range of settings, including acute medical and surgical wards, geriatric rehabilitation, the emergency department, home visiting, hand upper limb therapy, and palliative care.
Liz is passionate about delivering compassionate, person-centred support to clients and their families, with a strong focus on dignity, independence, and quality of life. She enjoys community work, working 2-3 days a week, in the southern suburbs and contributing to the O.T.WEST team.
Special Interests: Supporting people to live safely, meaningfully, and independently. Liz has a strong interest in Palliative Care, Aged Care, and supporting people with Dementia and Parkinson’s disease. She values working closely with clients and their families to find practical, compassionate solutions that support dignity and quality of life at home and in the community.
Favourite Things: Matcha lattes, thoughtful conversations, cosy dinner parties, reading, Pilates, exploring new restaurants, enjoying live performance arts, quality time with friends and family, and quiet evenings with her cat Molly.
Favourite Quote: “Wherever you are, be all there.”