Liz Shannon

Senior Neurological Physiotherapist 
FACP M.Hlth.Sc. (Neurological Physiotherapy) B.AppSc (Physiotherapy)

Meet Liz …

How did you get started in physiotherapy?

I began my physiotherapy career in 1988 at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. I was a new graduate and worked as a rotating physiotherapist, which gave me exposure to a range of clinical areas early on.

After about 18 months, I felt it was time to broaden my horizons—both personally and professionally. I packed my backpack and moved to Vancouver, Canada, where I worked at Vancouver General Hospital. It turned out to be a pivotal step in my career.

Why did you choose to specialise in neurological physiotherapy?

While working at Vancouver General Hospital, I joined the neurology physiotherapy team and found myself drawn to this area. I worked with clients with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and other neurosurgical conditions. That’s really where I discovered my passion for neurological rehabilitation.

What did you do when you returned to Australia?

When I came back to Sydney in 1995, I took a role as a neurology educator at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I was involved in clinical teaching for undergraduate physiotherapy students, which was both challenging and rewarding. During this time, I also decided to pursue further study and completed a Master of Health Science in Neurological Physiotherapy in 1999.

What areas have you focused on in your clinical work?

My clinical focus has always been on neurological rehabilitation—particularly working with individuals after catastrophic injuries or those with progressive neurological diseases. I spent time as a Senior Physiotherapist at Lady Davidson Hospital in inpatient rehab, and since 2002, I’ve been working in the community with clients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

How did you get involved in medico-legal work?

I joined Lighthouse Health Group in 2007 while living in Perth. Since then, I’ve been providing physiotherapy assessments and reports for medico-legal purposes, which are an important part of the Life Care Planning process. It’s a specialised area that I really value being part of.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

Spending time with family and friends is really important to me. I’ve recently taken up golf, which I play weekly, and I enjoy regular gym-based exercise. I also love snow skiing—both here in Australia and overseas whenever I get the chance.