Gilkey graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 1991 and has worked exclusively in hand and upper limb rehabilitation since 1994. Leesa - who actually prefers to be called Gilkey - has spent the last fifteen years working as a hand therapist in Australia. Gilkey is a member of both the Australian Hand Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists. Her passions include splint fabrication and working with tendon injuries.