Nikki started her career focused in Hand Therapy in 2008 following her five year active duty career in the United States Marine Corps (Avionics Electrician-small component/ harness). She was afforded the opportunity to work with the Wounded Warriors after working her first year with Navy Seal (BUD/S) Cadets. Nikki learned a whole person approach as she continued to stay on board another year and investigated the many intricacies of Hand Therapy and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation with the Wounded Warriors.

She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in 2014, from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Science. She concurrently completed two of her three years towards a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Her prior Bachelor’s degree was earned in Biology, with a Minor in Mathematics. Through University, and since, she’s been fortunate enough to intern and work in several flagship Hand Therapy and Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego, and Santa Barbara, before arriving in Traverse City focused on returning to her family life while continuing her innate passion and pursuit of healing.

As an early Therapist, Nikki attended the Operating Room every Friday to work with a referring surgeon regarding shared patients. These direct cases extended her prior expertise of arduous cadaver studies, and intervention work. She extends her in depth knowledge and experience forward into any specialized custom orthosis or evidence-based protocol presented. She takes pride in her mentorship and work with world renowned surgeons and therapists; also working with some of the most interesting individuals and cases imaginable.

Directly, Nikki has successfully rehabilitated grossly 5,000 post operative Dupuytren’s cases. Quadruple that of CMC (thumb) Arthroplasties, and internally fixated Wrist Fractures. She specialized in shoulders (including Reverse Shoulder) and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome for two years. Nikki has treated cases from Terrible Triad, to Transhumeral Amputations requiring iLimb training and rehabilitation, Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, Radial Nerve Palsies, Partial and Full Skin Grafts, approximately 100 Flexor Tendon Repairs, and many many more interesting and successful cases. Currently, Nikki is completing her certification in lymphatic drainage/oncology rehab.

Nikki stays abreast of current Upper Extremity and Hand Rehabilitation and Surgery technology from around the world with high scrutiny of study approaches, techniques, and patient response. She attends both Domestic and International Conferences routinely. In her free time, pre-motherhood, she was a hot yoga instructor, professional scuba diver, and world traveler at large. Her extracurriculars are a bit more tame these days, and her passion for patient care burns bright each day.

She founded Bayshore Hand Rehabilitation in 2023 and looks forward to serving our community. She has ensured a nearly paperless clinic experience increasing efficacy and communication drastically, saving you time, and resources, aside from meeting the global requirements set forth in 2009. She has earned Bayshore Hand Rehabilitation Accreditation in July of 2024. She looks forward to your utmost satisfaction, through recovery. Please inquire regarding any treatment, orthosis, or expectation questions.

Welcome to Your Care.