Melissa is a clinician, educator, author, entrepreneur and thought leader. Recognised as a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist in 2010 by the Australian College of Physiotherapists, she holds this title as one of only 8 in Australia. Academically, she also holds a Master of Health Science (Neurological Physiotherapy) and Grad. Certificate in Public Health. Melissa has previously chaired the Neurology Chapter in NSW and was the NSW National Representative for the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Melissa established Advance Rehab Centre in 2006 as a specialist neurological outpatient and home based rehab facility and she has grown this to a team of 39 staff with an outstanding clinical track record and team culture. The centre is dedicated to clinical excellence and innovation and has produced some world class programs, least of all, PD Warrior which became an independent entity in 2015 and is now taught and licensed internationally to other physiotherapists and health professionals. Melissa is an active CEO of both companies.
As a thought leader, Melissa has led the way creating exercise programs incorporating intensive neuroplasticity training principles for people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke and brain injury and in 2014 published the Amazon Best Seller “The New Parkinson’s Treatment: Exercise is Medicine” which has since gained distribution rights with Simon and Schuster and is into her second edition. In 2018, Melissa coordinated the first online global Summit for Parkinson’s disease, using cutting edge technology, this 3 day summit was streamed live into people’s homes removing the need for travel and accommodation expenses. This summit raised $27,000 for the Shake It Up Foundation and had nearly 1000 people register.