Ascend Health

We are passionate about empowering people and the community

Our team

At Ascend Health, we have a comprehensive verification checklist for any new professional joining our team. This ensures that they can meet our high standards when providing services to all our clients.

Worker Verification

When starting with Ascend Health, we verify each of our team members' identity, check their police clearances, and ensure a valid working with children’s licence.

Reference Check

We meet with all applicants prior to accepting them into our team. We conduct at least two reference checks and verify their responses following our the interviewing process.

Ongoing verification

We are constantly looking for ways to improve the services we offer to the community by regularly following up with our members. This ensures we know what training or support our team needs.

Meet our team

Our therapists are licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited to provide a supportive and caring space to improve your capacity. Working within the concentrated care model, they'll help you to improve your independence and quality of life so that you can get back to doing the activities that you want to do.

Olivia Firth is a senior occupational therapist at Ascend Health Group

Olivia Firth

Senior Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Olivia brings nine years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in the disability field, demonstrating a deep commitment to enhancing the performance and participation of children, adolescents, and young adults in their daily lives. Olivia also plays a pivotal role in coordinating the training and development of health professionals. Leading from the front, Olivia guides the team of therapists to provide comprehensive and impactful care.

Rachel Loughridge is a senior speech pathologist at Ascend Health that helps members north of Perth

Rachel Loughridge

Senior Speech Pathologist

Western Australia

Rachel has worked as a speech pathologist for 7 years, and has worked for nearly 11 years in the disability sector. Rachel is passionate about a family-centred and trans-disciplinary approach to service delivery across therapy settings. Rachel enjoys working with children and has a special interest in early intervention, social skills and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC).

Kat Tran is a dedicated Senior Speech Pathologist in Adelaide at Ascend Health

Kat Tran

Senior Speech Pathologist

South Australia

Kat has been working as a speech pathologist for over 5 years in Adelaide, South Australia. She has special interest in helping primary and secondary students develop their speech clarity, verbal and written language, and social language. Kat has extensive experience advocating for neurodivergent individuals.

Naomi Ng is a speech pathologist at Ascend Health that helps members north of Perth

Naomi Ng

Senior Speech Pathologist

Western Australia

Naomi has worked as a Speech Pathologist for over 5 years and is passionate about improving people's quality of life, working closely with members, their families, and significant others. She enjoys working with both adults and children, with a special interest in early intervention and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Eadaoin O'Reilly is a physiotherapist for Ascend Health in Perth.

Eadaoin O'Reilly

Senior Physiotherapist

Western Australia

Eadaoin is an experienced physiotherapist originally from Ireland that has over 7 years experience in the field of adult and paediatric physiotherapy. She has a strong interest in making sports and physical activity more accessible, and enjoys promoting healthy living in individuals of all ages. Eadaoin also employs a range of treatment styles, including motor learning, gait retraining, hydrotherapy, and primitive reflex assessment and integration.

Vicky Merryweather is an occupational therapist for Ascend Health in Melbourne, Victoria.

Vicky Merryweather

Senior Occupational Therapist

Victoria

Vicky has been an OT for over 7 years working predominantly as a Community Mental Health Specialist Occupational Therapist supporting clients to integrate and find purpose within their local communities. She has a special interest in providing therapeutic interventions for Veterans, OCD, Phobias and Anxiety. Working across the lifespan of clients, Vicky specialises in providing therapeutic support to help members build purposeful and meaningful engagement in the community.

Melanie Rochfort is an experienced physiotherapist for Ascend Health in Melbourne.

Melanie (Mel) Rochfort

Senior Physiotherapist

Victoria

Mel is an experienced Community Physiotherapist with over five years of dedicated practice in aged care and disability services. She focuses on improving functional strength, balance, and falls prevention, while also integrating activities of enjoyment and leisure into her interventions. Mel works closely with each individual to set achievable goals and provides expert recommendations on assistive technology and manual handling.

Luke Andrews is one of Ascend Health's experienced occupational therapist and key role therapist

Luke Andrews

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Luke is an Occupational Therapist with over 5 years of experience at Ascend Health, working as a support worker, mentor, therapy assistant, and OT. Based in Perth, he's dedicated to helping people reach their goals and enhance their quality of life. With a focus on men’s health, mental health, and supporting teens and young adults transitioning to independence, he's passionate about fostering independence, community involvement, and overall well-being in his members' lives.

Jordy Nixon is an occupational therapist at Ascend Health Group

Jordy Nixon

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Jordy brings over two years of experience in the disability and paediatric sector, with a strong emphasis on early intervention. Her passion lies in empowering children and their families to achieve their goals. Through her work, Jordy demonstrates a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those she serves, focusing on holistic support that addresses both the individual needs of the child and the broader well-being of the family unit.

Deon Noronha is a speech pathologist at Ascend Health that helps members north of Perth

Deon Noronha

Speech Pathologist

Western Australia

Deon is a dedicated Speech Pathologist with a strong passion for the disability industry, and finds fulfilment in assisting individuals to achieve their goals and enhance their quality of life. Deon's special interest lies in early intervention and working with adults impacted by neurological conditions, where he strives to make a positive impact on communication and overall well-being. His commitment to improving the lives of those he serves makes Deon a valuable asset to Ascend Health.

Macauley Bremner is an experienced speech therapist for Ascend Health in Perth.

Macauley Bremner

Speech Pathologist

Western Australia

Macauley is an experienced speech pathologist who is passionate about helping members achieve meaningful and functional outcomes. She has experience across private practice, the disability sector, as well as conducting research at Curtin University. Macauley has a longstanding passion for supporting children’s speech and literacy development and has further training in orofacial myology, childhood apraxia of speech and literacy interventions.

Aneeka Wheatcroft (Boxall) is an occupational therapist for Ascend Health in Perth.

Aneeka Boxall

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

With over 13 years of dedicated service in Occupational Therapy, Aneeka brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to Ascend Health. Her extensive expertise, coupled with a compassionate approach to care, allows her to make meaningful contributions to the well-being of individuals and their families across their lifespan. She is dedicated to promoting independence, enhancing quality of life, and fostering positive experiences for all of those she works with.

Timothy Squire is a Perth based occupational therapist at Ascend Health

Timothy Squire

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Tim is a dedicated Occupational Therapist in the disability field that is passionate about empowering individuals to enhance their daily lives and achieve their goals. Whether in clinical settings or collaborating with other healthcare professionals, Tim is committed to promoting independence, well-being, and an improved quality of life for those under his care.

Ryan Xu is an occupational therapist for Ascend Health in Adelaide.

Ryan Xu

Occupational Therapist

South Australia

Ryan Xu is an experienced occupational therapist that has worked with a diverse range clients in the NDIS and aged care communities. His passion lies in enhancing the lives of individuals by focusing on assistive technology and home modifications. He is committed to creating personalised therapy plans that empower our members to achieve their daily living goals, improve their quality of life, and promote independence.

Matthew Harrup is a dedicated physiotherapist in Perth at Ascend Health

Matthew Harrup

Physiotherapist

Western Australia

Matt is a newly qualified physiotherapist with four years of experience at Ascend as a Support Worker, Team Leader, and Therapy Assistant. In 2023, he received the Support Worker of the Year award for his outstanding dedication to patient care. Matt is eager to use his experience working with individuals of varying abilities and their families to help them achieve their goals and enhance their quality of life.

Cam Gardner is a dedicated occupational therapist that has graduated into the Perth therapy team at Ascend Health after working as a support worker and therapy assistant.

Cam Gardner

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Cam is an Occupational Therapist with 3.5 years of diverse experience at Ascend Health as a Support Worker, Therapy Assistant, and Team Leader. Specialising in paediatric and young adult care, Cam partners with families to create personalised therapeutic approaches that promote independence and meaningful engagement in daily activities.

Selby Bate is a dedicated occupational therapist that has graduated into the Perth therapy team at Ascend Health after working as a support worker and therapy assistant.

Selby Bate

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Selby is an Occupational Therapist who brings 1.5 years of experience as a Support Worker and Team Leader at Ascend Health. A recent Curtin University graduate, Selby specialises in creating inclusive therapeutic environments for LGBTQIA+ clients while helping individuals and families achieve their goals and enhance their quality of life.

Amy Coster is a dedicated occupational therapist that has graduated into the Perth therapy team at Ascend Health after working as a support worker and therapy assistant.

Amy Coster

Occupational Therapist

Western Australia

Amy is a new graduated Occupational Therapist dedicated to fostering an inclusive and holistic environment for her members. Along with her experience as a support worker with Ascend, she has developed a strong foundation in client-centred care. Amy has worked with individuals of all ages, with a particular interest in helping older adults. With as easy-going nature, she's passionate about empowering people to learn and express themselves in new and creative ways.

L Maras

Speech Pathologist

Western Australia

L is a new Speech Pathologist passionate about supporting neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ individuals, with a particular focus on adolescents. With a developing interest in voice therapy and written expression, L strives to help members fully engage in all aspects of life. With curiosity, empathy, kindness, and warmth, L takes a genuine interest in our members' passions.

Bruno is one of the longest serving team members at Ascend Health, and has proven himself as a company mascot and therapy dog since 2017

Bruno

Senior Therapy Dog

Western Australia

Bruno is a trained and qualified therapy assistance dog. Lately, Bruno has been making new friends with some of our members. His visits are a great way to get motivated to move and step out of the house as a goal for improving community participation.

Our Team Leaders coordinate the support workers that operate in small teams throughout Perth. They have a diverse range of tasks, and can include training draftees (new support workers), problem-solving, checking feedback on progress notes, communicating with support workers, provide weekly training, and report any feedback, complaints and any changes within the company.

Alanna D'cunha

Perth Team Leader

Alec Kong

Perth Team Leader

Anna Gunningham is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Anna Gunningham

Perth Team Leader

Caleigh Agnew Ascend Health Group

Caleigh Agnew

Perth Team Leader

Chloe Yong is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Chloe Yong

Perth Team Leader

Daniel Menezes is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Daniel Menezes

Perth Team Leader

Ella Miles is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Ella Miles

Perth Team Leader

Jaiden Burke

Perth Team Leader

Jeremy Chia is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Jeremiah Chia

Perth Team Leader

Marianna is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Marianna De Tullio

Adelaide Team Leader

Max Soet Ascend Health Group

Max Soet

Perth Team Leader

Mia Flitman

Perth Team Leader

Ruby Vyse is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Ruby Vyse

Perth Team Leader

Saptahrshi Seal

Perth Team Leader

Sarah O'Neil

Perth Team Leader

Shannon Moffat is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Shannon Moffat

Perth Team Leader

Xiong (Andy) Peng is one of Ascend Health's friendly support workers and Team Leaders.

Xiong (Andy) Peng

Perth Team Leader

Zachary Nielsen is the founder and Chief Executive at Ascend Health Group

Zachary Nielsen

Chief Executive

‍Zach is a Curtin University-trained physiotherapist and entrepreneur. He has experience in the health and disability industry, and is passionate about helping people who are experiencing poor health.

Ascend Health Group's chief operating officer and physiotherapist Olivia Mann

Olivia Nielsen

Chief Operating Officer

Olivia is a trained physiotherapist and COO of Ascend Health. She ensures that operations run smoothly on a day-to-day basis and being responsible for ensuring our staff are meeting the needs of our members.

A picture of Peter Edwards, the Chief Technology Officer of Ascend Health Group

Peter Edwards

Chief of Staff

Pete's background is in Physiotherapy and Health Studies. His focus is on staff wellbeing and helping to make sure that Ascend supports our therapists and support workers so they can do their best work.

Ania Czekaj is the lead software engineer at Ascend Health Group

Ania Czekaj

Lead Software Engineer

Ania is experienced in the fast-paced world of tech startups, and is responsible for building the first version Ascend Health Plus. Having worked as a support worker, she is passionate about developing software that will revolutionise the way healthcare services are delivered to the community.

Brandyn Britton is a Software Developer at Ascend Health and is part of the team building Ascend Health Plus

Brandyn Britton

Senior Software Developer

Brandyn is a Senior Software Engineer at Ascend, passionate about developing impactful technology. With a background in EdTech and HealthTech and experience as a disability support worker, he brings diverse perspectives to his role developing and maintaining Ascend's software platforms

Tahli Kipps

Software Developer

Bio coming soon . . .

Robert Duff-Silsby is the marketing coordinator for Ascend Health.

Robert Duff-Silsby

Marketing Manager

Robert has a psychology degree and has worked across multiple roles at Ascend Health since 2021. He's currently focused on helping to spread awareness about the services Ascend offers, as well as the employment opportunities available. Working closely with recruitment and the member engagement team, Robert's motivated to help spread the word about the Ascend Health mission.

Marleen Roch is Ascend Health's Compliance, Risk, and Quality Manager

Marleen Roch

Quality, Risk & Compliance Manager

Marleen has over 20 years of experience in the human services sector, holding multiple diplomas. She specialises in quality management, service delivery, and program development, with in-depth knowledge of NDIS and aged care funding models. Marleen is committed to enhancing the lives of all individuals through her work.

Jay Sprigg is the business development manager at Ascend Health, ensuring external providers are receiving the support they need

Jay Sprigg

Member Engagement Officer

Business Relationships Manager

With over 17 years dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs in primary school settings, I have a passion for inclusive education. Having a child on the autism spectrum has profoundly deepened my understanding and empathy, inspiring my commitment to supporting individuals of all abilities.

Over 90 university students providing high-quality support work for our members.

Increase your capacity with Ascend Health

Your support services are designed to address your unique goals and want you to feel comfortable with your ongoing support needs. We arrange an initial meet-and-greet between all our new clients and potential students until you find the right support worker for you.

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© Ascend Health 2017 - NDIS registration number 4050028857