Advanced  Vestibular Physiotherapist

Advanced Concussion Physiotherapist

 

Special Interests: complex vestibular conditions, concussion and headache

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Rhys Callaghan completed his “Master of Physiotherapy Studies” at the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2013. He also has a Bachelor of Human Movement Science.

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Rhys has private practice and hospital experience in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Part of his experience was within the Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Screening Clinic at the Gold Coast University Hospital. He has also completed Neurological Rehabilitation roles across numerous Qld Health sites.

Rhys has experience in orthopaedic and rehabilitation wards, emergency departments and five (5) different musculoskeletal outpatient departments across Queensland Health and the National Health Service (UK). Rhys has worked as a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist within an outpatient department and large private clinic in central London prior to moving back home to Australia and starting a family.

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Over several years of practicing Physiotherapy Rhys has completed countless hours of professional development and clinical shadowing within the arena of vestibular rehabilitation. Rhys was a member of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Services Vestibular Interest Group undergoing regular professional development in the area as well as accumulating invaluable experience triaging dizzy patients in Emergency Departments alongside emergency care teams. Rhys has completed the Vestibular Education Australia Postgraduate, exam based, Vestibular Competency Training Program and the new Australian Physiotherapy Association's Advances in Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency based course led by Dr. Susan Herdman and faculty (Leader and trailblazing Vestibular Physiotherapist from the USA). Rhys is also an active member of the QVN (Queensland Vestibular Network), NOTSA member (Neuro-otological Society of Australia) and APA member (Australian Physiotherapy Association) and follows both Neurological and Gerontological Physiotherapy Special Interest Groups. The majority of Rhys' caseload is spent seeing patients suffering from vertigo and working with their individual multi-disciplinary teams including leading ENT Surgeons/Otologists, Audiologists, Neurologists, Neuro-otologists, Rehabilitation Physicians and General Practitioners to get his patients the right managements at the right time.

 

Rhys has completed multiple post-graduate concussion courses, with an accumulative content of over 80 hours of concussion content. Rhys is also an active member of a Sunshine Coast Concussion Special interest group who meet monthly to review emerging research in the area.  

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Rhys has also attended the 2 day Watson Headache® Institute, Level 2 Consolidation Headache Course titled “The Role of C1-C3 Cervical Afferents in Primary Headache”. The course was held on 20th & 21st March 2021, in Adelaide, Australia and presented by Dr Dean H Watson PhD, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. For further information, go to: www.WatsonHeadache.com.

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Outside of work Rhys spends most of his time with family at the beach, park or anywhere outdoors.

Senior Vestibular Physiotherapist

 

Special Interests: complex vestibular conditions, neurological rehabilitation

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Kyle Noble completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, graduating with academic excellence in 2022. He has gained experience across a variety of clinical settings including emergency, acute care, outpatient and community rehabilitation within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. Kyle has a particular interest in vestibular and neurological physiotherapy. He has
completed the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Comprehensive Emergency Department Vestibular Competency training and has worked extensively with patients experiencing acute vestibular syndromes, BPPV, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and traumatic brain injuries. Kyle currently also works within the Transition Care Program, helping patients safely navigate recovery and independence at home. Kyle is passionate about providing evidence-based, patient-centred care and enjoys working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. He is committed to ongoing
professional development, regularly attending vestibular and neurological education to refine his clinical skills.
Outside of physiotherapy, Kyle enjoys surfing, running and camping, making the most of the Sunshine Coast lifestyle.

APA Neurological Physiotherapist

Advanced Vestibular Physiotherapist

Advanced Concussion Physiotherapist

 

Special Interests: concussion management, complex vestibular presentations, neurological presentations & headaches.

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Ashley Callaghan graduated from the University of Queensland with a Master in Physiotherapy Studies, 2013.

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​Early in her career Ashley fell in love with Vestibular, Neurological & Balance Rehabilitation. She has vast experience treating such conditions in the Public and Private Health Sectors, here in Australia and the United Kingdom. 

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Before starting VertiGO Physio and Rehab, Ashley largely performed roles within the Neurological Physiotherapy arena. Ashley’s regular caseload in such roles consisted of assessing and managing patients with an array of conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease; from acute presentations through to community rehabilitation. Ashley would commonly work within large multi-disciplinary teams as the case co-ordinator for complex presentations. Skills obtained through such experience are highly transferable over to the Vestibular Rehab field and Ashley commonly acts as a case co-ordinator for her VertiGO Physio and Rehab clients.

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Ashley's work experience is impressive and her additional training extensive. She has fulfilled Senior Neurological Physiotherapy roles in Level 1 Trauma Centres across London. Ashley has completed the Vestibular Education Australia Postgraduate, exam based, Vestibular Competency Training Program and now often acts now as a sessional tutor and examiner. Additional post graduate courses completed by Ashley have heavily focused on advancing skills in Neurological, Vestibular, Concussion- Management and Balance Rehabilitation. On top of her own experience Ashley is mentored by some of the most respected Vestibular Physiotherapists in Queensland. She is a member of the Neuro-Otological Society of Australia and Australian College of Physiotherapists.  Additional to the advanced training in Neurological and Vestibular Physiotherapy, Ashley is an Advanced Concussion Physiotherapist within the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.

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Additionally to the above, Ashley recently attended the 2 day Watson Headache® Institute, Level 2 Consolidation Headache Course titled “The Role of C1-C3 Cervical Afferents in Primary Headache”. The course was held on 20th & 21st March 2021, in Adelaide, Australia and presented by Dr Dean H Watson PhD, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. For further information, go to: www.WatsonHeadache.com.

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Ashley has spent her time on the Sunshine Coast building a solid reputation within the community as a highly skilled Physiotherapist in the Neuro-Otological field. Ashley is now well recognised within the community among many Neurologists, ENT's, Audiologists, GP's and other Allied Health professionals. Due to her advanced skill set and results with patients, Ashley has had the honour of receiving referrals from places far and wide. Many patients travel from Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay to visit VertiGO Physio and Rehab and numerous regular holiday makers from Southern States postpone their dizziness treatment until their return to Ashley here on the Sunshine Coast.

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With the use of infra-red video technology Ashley performs thorough assessments of the vestibular system to determine the likely cause of dizziness/vertigo. She then prescribes individualised vestibular rehabilitation programs to suit. Common conditions that Ashley’s training allows her to manage effectively and efficiently are: BPPV, Vestibular Hypofunction (unilateral/bilateral), Vestibular Migraine, Persisting Post Concussive Symptoms, Neurological Disorders and patients who are suffering from impaired balance.

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​Outside of work Ashley spends her time with her family (2 children, Husband & Golden Retriever- ‘Diego’) at the beach, parks or anywhere outdoors.

Senior Vestibular Physiotherapist

 

Special Interests: complex vestibular conditions, neurological rehabilitation

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Brianna Benn completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at the University of Queensland in 2017.

Bri has experience working in community rehabilitation, public, and private hospitals throughout Australia. Prior to working in private practice, she worked with Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, and has also been a senior physiotherapist in acute stroke and rehabilitation at Toowoomba Hospital. Bri was drawn to treating neurological and vestibular conditions very early in her career. She enjoys working with a multidisciplinary team to treat patients with various complex medical or neurological conditions including Vertigo, Stroke, Brain Injuries, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorders.

Bri is passionate about using the latest evidence-based practice in treating her patients and achieving positive health outcomes. To this end, she has dedicated herself to ongoing professional development, especially in the areas of vertigo and neurological disorders. She has completed multiple advanced-level vestibular courses including Central Vestibular Seminars, Advanced Vestibular Rehabilitation by Vestibular Courses (Natalie Rando-Orr and Leia Barnes) and Comprehensive Vestibular Rehabilitation by Medbridge. Bri is also an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and completes regular professional development through this platform.

Outside of work, Bri loves spending time with friends and her young family, and exploring the great outdoors!

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