Kelli Simms, BScOT, OT(R)NL, OT(C)

Occupational Therapist/Contractual Consultant:
Gander Area

Kelli graduated from Memorial University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University in 2003. Since finishing school she has been employed as an occupational therapist with the Central East Health Care Institutions Board in Gander, NL.

As part of fieldwork at Dalhousie, Kelli completed an expanded fieldwork with the Department of Recreation with the City of St. John’s. Here she conducted an accessibility study of the Mews Centre for the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and made recommendations for renovations required to increase accessibility to the recreation centre.

Kelli primarily works in an acute-care setting at James Paton Memorial Hospital with the surgical program (orthopedics and general surgery). Her duties include activities of daily living assessments, equipment assessment and prescription, seating and positioning, pressure management and client and family education.

Other areas of practice include inpatient and outpatient regional coverage to Notre Dame Bay Memorial Health Centre in Twillingate and Fogo Island Hospital. Duties in the region include geriatrics, seating and positioning, pressure management, splinting, orthotics, ergonomics, workstation reviews, client and staff education and home visits to complete accessibility assessments. Follow up with contractors and building inspectors with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation is also required to ensure adequate accessibility renovations.

Current memberships include the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT), the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Occupational Therapists (NLAOT) and Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Therapy Board (NLOTB). Kelli is actively involved in the Gander branch of Hip Hip Hooray and is the chairperson of the Equipment Disbursement Committee for Hip Hip Hooray.

Continuing education includes many workshops held in St. John’s over the past two years: Invacare Manual Wheelchair Basics, Ergonomics held by NLAOT, “Custom Orthotic Therapy - Level 1" given by The Orthotic Group and most recently, “Independent Living Through Home Modifications and Design.”

At IOHS, Kelli is responsible for home and workplace assessment services in the Gander area.

Jane Simmons  •  Andrea Hutchens  •  Carla Evans
Theresa Roberts  •  Kathy Pennell  •  Tammy Priddle
Glenda Dawe  •  Renée Broomfield  •  Jeff Williams  •  Tina Trickett