Sharon Goldby

Bio

Sharon is a highly experienced hand therapist with over 20 years of clinical expertise across both public and private sectors. For the past 15 years, she has been a senior clinician in the Hand Therapy Department at The Alfred Hospital, one of Australia’s leading trauma centres. Sharon has recently transitioned to private practice, where she brings her deep clinical knowledge and compassionate approach to patient care.

Throughout her career, Sharon has managed a diverse and complex caseload, including traumatic injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and chronic conditions affecting the hand and upper limb. Her work is driven by a genuine commitment to helping people regain function and independence in their everyday lives. Sharon takes pride in partnering with her patients on their rehabilitation journey, understanding their goals, and tailoring therapy to meet their unique needs. She finds great reward in helping individuals return to the activities that matter most to them, no matter how challenging the road to recovery may be.

Special Interests

Sharon is passionate about delivering personalised, patient-centred care and believes in making every hand therapy experience meaningful and goal-directed. She has a particular interest in the acute and post-operative management of complex upper limb injuries, including:

• Hand and wrist fractures and dislocations
• Flexor and extensor tendon repairs
• Peripheral nerve injuries
• Reconstructive procedures
• Burn rehabilitation

In addition to her clinical roles, Sharon has worked in advanced scope of practice positions within the hospital system and is committed to the ongoing development of hand therapy services globally. She is especially passionate about improving access to care in regions where rehabilitation services are limited, particularly for children and adults affected by trauma, burns, or congenital conditions.

Awards / Achievements

Alfred Hospital research Grant recipient 2011

“Can splinting and early mobilization in the dart-throwers plane of motion improve functional outcomes and reduce postoperative complications in people after Scapho-lunate ligament repairs?”(Pilot Study)

Ulna carpal abutment study awarded to hand therapy 2011

Presentations / Publications

2016-2024 Interplast Hand Therapy volunteer Laos. Bangladesh

2019-2024 Rafiki Yearly hand therapy volunteer Tanzania Hand therapy support to W.A surgical team. Triage for burns non-operative management and post operative care burns/plastics care.

2024 mentoring and development of Tanzania’s first hand therapist. Admittance to 12 months specialist training with Hand faculty training organization.

2023 Presenter AHTA “Introduction to hand therapy.” Physio and OT dept. Tanzania

2018 Alfred partnership with Alfred burns therapists. One week Burns education program. Acid survivors pressure garment training and manufacture. Bangladesh.

2017 Sessional tutor Monash University School of Occupational Therapy / Alfred Hospital.

2015 Sessional tutor Latrobe University.

2016-2019 Interplast Asia Coordinator for Allied health. Member Interplast Hand Therapy working group Responsibilities. Advice and coordination of hand therapy initiatives for interplast programs across the Asia region.

2014 Presenter Allied health advanced practice forum. Advanced practice initiatives. Alfred Hospital

2013 Presenter AHTA Victorian Conference paper: Two stage Flexor tendon repairs.

2010 / 2012 Interplast Hand Therapy volunteer Bangladesh Dhaka Medical college hospital /Center for Rehabilitation for the Paralyzed, Acid survivors foundation. Hand therapy training for burn injuries and common hand conditions. Curriculum development.

Published article: The impact of a hand therapy screening and management clinic for patients referred for surgical opinion in an Australian public hospital.

Journal of Hand Therapy, Volume 27, Issue 1, January-March 2014, page 71.

Lisa O’Brien, Alison Hardman, Sharon Golby

• Latrobe Private Hospital, Bundoora
• Elgar Hill Consulting rooms, Box Hill
• Blackburn Clinic, Blackburn