KATIE DAVIES

After graduating from Melbourne University, Katie was lucky enough to get a job at the Royal Melbourne Hospital starting out in the Neurosurgical team which only furthered her passion for working within the neuro field. After doing a few years or rotations and a grade 1, she travelled South and Central America and finally landed in London where she worked in a large Neurological Rehabilitation Unit with terrific colleagues. It was here that she learnt from knowledgeable senior clinicians and developed a variety of skills including an introduction to vestibular conditions.   

On return to Australia, she started working at Neurological Rehabilitation Group with Sue Vincent and Ann Booth who are pioneers having started the first neuro private practice in 1986. In 2014 she became the principal physiotherapist. Since working at NRG Katie and the clinical team have built the vestibular and concussion service alongside the neurological service. Katie is passionate about having a work environment where people come together to grow and support each other. Culture of the clinic is important so that patients can be in a rehabilitation space which is comfortable, they are in expert hands and they can be themselves. 

Now Katie has a varied load of clinical work, research, teaching and overseeing the practice. Along with her NRG role, Katie has an honorary appointment at the MCRI as the physiotherapy lead in the multidisciplinary team researching the management of persisting concussion symptoms in children. She also has an honorary role at the Turner Institute at Monash University where she is the physiotherapy lead on the iRecover study investigating concussion recovery in adults. Within her research roles she has designed assessment and treatment protocols, lead training and analysis of results. Concussion has become an area of focus for her and this work spans the ages and all corners of the community. Katie consults to elite sports groups and has experience managing athletes from a variety of sporting codes. She presents on the topic of concussion widely, has been the keynote speaker and an invited speaker at local, national and international events. She has designed a two-day basic concussion management course for physiotherapists as well as and advanced one day course. She was a key contributor to the Australian Institute of Sport physiotherapy team with their recent concussion guidelines and physio specific recommendations.

Katie loves the work that she does and feels very fortunate to work with such a great team across the admin and clinical team. She is very proud of the service that they provide as a group to the community and looks forward to coming to work each day.