After Margaret Gokey’s father was diagnosed with cancer, she returned to her home state of New York to help care for him. It was a move that shaped her future career as well.

“I decided to do something in the medical field because I was inspired by all the people that worked with my father,” she said.

In 1981, Gokey moved back to California to study occupational therapy at San Jose State University.

Fifteen years ago she opened California Hand and Rehabilitation in Napa. 

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with? 

My grandmother, Margaret McDowell. She died before I was born and I am named after her.

My father, Jack Gokey who I lost at an early age.

Jack London, author, sailor and adventurer.

What job would you like to try/not like to try? 

Try: National Geographic photographer.

Not try:  Beekeeper. I am allergic to bees.

What was your first job?

Selling seeds door-to-door at age 10. At age 15 I had a real job at a soda fountain in upstate New York making milkshakes and burgers on Saturdays.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Filing for an insurance company. I have always enjoyed working and had a variety of jobs when I was in college: dog trainer, photographer, telephone sales, housekeeper, waitress, hostess and nurse’s aide.

What’s on your to-do list?

Sail from Istanbul to Italy and Sardinia. Travel to India with a team of doctors to restore children’s hands.

Who do you most admire in the business world? 

Italian food writer, Carlo Petrini, the founder of the slow food movement.  

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet? 

Work with children that have dyslexia.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you? 

I had a scholarship to do a Ph.D. in Indonesian language at Cornell University. I was there for a year, but I decided I didn’t want to be in the Foreign Service.

 

What is your favorite charity? 

Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Sonoma Land Trust, Quarryhill Botanical Garden and Vineyard Worker Services. 

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Dr. Daniel P. Birkbeck, Napa hand surgeon.

Arlene Bernstein, local artist and author.

Jane Chic, local Pilates instructor and physical therapist.

Rannell Dahl, occupational therapist and ergonomics specialist.  

More from Margaret Gokey

How did you get into this business? 

I took an interest inventory test and it suggested physical and occupational therapy. I have always enjoyed doing things with my hands and specialized in hand therapy to help restore function in people’s hands. 

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced? 

Constantly changing rules and regulations with workers comp and insurance companies.

I can’t live without: a car. I would really like to not depend on gasoline for my main mode of transportation, but a bike is not practical for me at this time.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

Right here, I am a grateful to live in such a beautiful place with so much to offer. 

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business? 

Encourage people who live in Napa to invest in the local economy and foster good healthy local growth that will regenerate local business.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be? 

Be non-profit, everyone needs to have equal access to health care.

What’s your favorite gift to give? Books and seeds.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

I was a member of a panel charged with identifying quality indicators to improve Medicare guidelines. It was satisfying to be part of a national program that has developed positive results for us all.

What was your childhood ambition? 

To own a bakery, build a house and have a family.

Each Wednesday the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled. To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions” e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com