Melissa McConaghy

Melissa is a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist (as awarded by the College in 2010). She holds a Master of Health Science (Neurological Physiotherapy) and Grad. Certificate in Public Health in addition to her BAppSc in Physiotherapy.

Melissa owns and runs Advance Rehab Centre, a multi-site and community neuro rehab service in Sydney, as well as PD Warrior, an education and training program for people living with Parkinson’s licensed across 10 countries globally.

Melissa’s 24 year career in physiotherapy has been dedicated to community based neuro rehab and upskilling other health professionals here in Australia and in developed and developing countries. She presents and educates internationally on topics such as Parkinson’s, Polio, Stroke and Robotics in Rehab and curates the program for INSIGHT into PD, an annual online conference for people with Parkinson’s.

Melissa has been active in the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Australian College of Physiotherapy in many volunteer roles throughout her career. As well as sitting on the Board of the APA, she is also the President-Elect for the International Neurological Physical Therapy Association (INPA) for World Physio.

Melissa was awarded Australian Physiotherapist of the year in 2019, Small Business Champions Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020, HESTA Impact Award in 2022 and the INPA Presidents Award in 2024.