Joan graduated from University of Sydney in 2008 with a Bachelor of Applied Science
(Occupational Therapy). Upon graduation, she began her practice in Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Even when she was just a student, Joan has always had a keen interest in hand therapy. During her tenure in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, she went into the specialised field of hand and upper limb rehabilitation. She became a Senior Occupational Therapist, whose work involved treating clients with a variety of hand and upper limb conditions, including fractures, tendon repairs, nerve injuries, repetitive strain disorders and arthropathy. She was actively involved in the mentoring of new therapists and students throughout the years. In her work at the hospital, Joan had also developed clinical treatment protocols to guide quality management of clients with hand conditions.

In 2013, Joan pursued her postgraduate studies in Hand Therapy after she was awarded a sponsorship by the hospital. After obtaining her Master of Science with Merit (Hand Therapy) from Brunel University, UK, London, she returned to Tan Tock Seng Hospital to continue her work in hand therapy. At the same time, she became the in-charge of a team of occupational therapists working in the discipline of hand and upper limb rehabilitation, supervising their clinical and research work in this area.

Joan believes that not only is the human hand a working tool, it is also a delicate part of our body that has great importance in our daily activities. It is Joan’s aim to provide rehabilitation for clients who injure their hands, such that they are able to regain functional use of their hands.