Meet The Director
Ashley Callaghan
Director
APA Neurological Physiotherapist
Senior Vestibular Physiotherapist
Special Interests: Concussion management, complex vestibular presentations, neurological presentations, headaches.
Ashley Callaghan graduated from the University of Queensland with a Master in Physiotherapy Studies, 2013.
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.
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 presentation 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 is highly transferable over to the Vestibular Rehab field and Ashley commonly acts as a case co-ordinator for her Vertigo Physio and Rehab clients.
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. 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-Otology Society of Australia and Australian College of Physiotherapists. Additional to the advanced training in Neurological and Vestibular Physiotherapy, Ashley is now a certified Complete Concussion Management Practitioner (CCMI). This training involved 40 hours of intensive online modules and exams covering concussion assessment and management from acute to chronic phases.
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.
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 Harvey 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.
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, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Neurological Disorders and patients who are suffering from impaired balance.
Outside of work Ashley spends her time with her family (2 children, Husband & Golden Retriever- ‘Diego’) at the beach, parks or anywhere outdoors.
Meet The Team
Gem Allinson
Vestibular Physiotherapist
Special Interests: Vestibular conditions & neurological presentations
Gem Allinson graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy, the Margaret Bullock Research Prize and a University Medal from the University of Queensland. Upon graduation she was immediately drawn to the area of vestibular and neurological physiotherapy and has spent her career gaining skills and experience in this area.
Gem currently works part-time as a senior stroke and neurological physiotherapist at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. In this role she is required to work cohesively with a large multi-disciplinary team to manage clients with varied complex conditions including: Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Functional Neurological Disorder, Motor Neuron Disease, Brain Injury and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Gem has previously worked across the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Nambour Hospital, Maryborough Hospital and Hervey Bay Hospital. At the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital she gained invaluable experience working with complex clients under the guidance of leading clinicians across stroke and neurology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and vestibular outpatients. She also completed research in the neurological space and has presented and won awards at conferences both nationally and internationally.
Gem continues to remain an active member of the Queensland Vestibular Network, the Queensland Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Network and the Australian Physiotherapy Association Queensland Neurology Group. She has completed numerous professional development courses including an Advanced Vestibular Management course and Advanced BPPV course.
Outside of work Gem can either be found rock climbing, hiking or curled up in bed with a book and a cup of English Breakfast tea!
Brianna Benn
Vestibular Physiotherapist
Special interests: Vestibular Conditions and Neurological Presentations
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. She worked as 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 effectively within the multidisciplinary team to treat patients with various complex medical or neurological conditions including Stroke, Brain Injuries, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorders. Currently, Bri works part-time as a case manager for rehabilitation patients in the Transition Care Program with Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health service. Bri also has significant experience triaging and treating patients with dizziness or imbalance in the emergency department, inpatient wards and outpatient clinics. She places high importance in ensuring continuity of care between hospitals and the community.
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 and has completed a number professional development courses including Introduction to 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 family, and exploring the great outdoors!
Rhys Callaghan
Senior Vestibular Physiotherapist
Special Interests: Headaches, concussion management and vestibular conditions.
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 and a keen interest in Biomechanics.
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 rotations at Redlands, Wynnum and Robina Hospitals.
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.
Rhys’ special interests include headache management and concussion. Rhys 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.
Rhys also recently completed a 40 hour post graduate concussion management competency course organised through ‘Complete Concussion Management’. 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 invaluable experience triaging dizzy patients in Emergency Departments alongside emergency care teams.
Outside of work Rhys spends most of his time with family at the beach, park or anywhere outdoors.