Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics Leadership

Associate Professor Jodie McClelland

Associate Professor Jodie McClelland is Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics. She is a physiotherapist with more than 20 years’ clinical experience. She has previously served as Discipline Lead in Physiotherapy, as the Director of Graduate Research for the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport and as a member of La Trobe’s Board of Graduate Research. Associate Professor McClelland researches physiotherapy, rehabilitation, orthopaedics and biomechanics, and her has published widely in international journals. She was the La Trobe Early Career Researcher of the Year in 2013 and was awarded the Victoria Fellowship for Life Sciences in 2015. She currently teaches evidence-based practice and biomechanics in Physiotherapy and has supervised more than ten Higher Degree by Research students to completion in the fields of post-orthopaedic surgery rehabilitation (including knee replacement, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and lumbar spinal surgery), sports injury (Achilles tendinopathy and calf injuries) and biomechanics.

Mr Anthony Francis

Mr Anthony Francis is Discipline Lead in Prosthetics and Orthotics in the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has extensive clinical experience, having worked in acute metropolitan hospitals, remote and regional settings, and with a community-based non-government organisation in Afghanistan. Mr Francis researches best practice management of clients with complex lower limb conditions including poliomyelitis and cerebrovascular accident. He was a member of the expert panel involved in the development and review of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association competency standards, and is involved in the assessment and development of curriculum standards through the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has developed and delivered short training programs in lower orthotic management to international schools in Japan and Thailand.

Professor Shannon Munteanu

Professor Shannon Munteanu is Discipline Lead in Podiatry in the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics. He is an internationally-recognised podiatrist and an expert on musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle. Professor Munteanu researches osteoarthritis of the foot and Achilles tendinopathy and has published several clinical trials investigating interventions for these conditions. He is ranked seventh worldwide for expertise in the foot (Expertscape), and sixth worldwide for research in osteoarthritis of the foot (Web of Science). Professor Munteanu has supervised ten Higher Degree by Research students and 18 Honours students to completion. He is a member of the Australian Podiatry Association and has served on scientific committees for national conferences. He is actively engaged in the accreditation of podiatry courses, and is a member of the Australasian Council of Podiatry Deans and the International Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis Consortium Steering Group.

Associate Professor Richard Newsham-West

Associate Professor Richard Newsham-West is Discipline Lead in Physiotherapy in the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics. He is a musculoskeletal physiotherapist with over 30 years’ clinical experience in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. He has over 20 years’ academic experience, including teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Australia and New Zealand. Associate Professor Newsham-West researches lower limb tendon injuries and the relationship between the morphology and functional properties of this unit in determining human performance and injury of tendons. He has authored over 35 publications and has supervised 11 Higher Degree by Research students to completion. Associate Professor Newsham-West has held senior leadership roles as Director of the Otago Community Sport Medicine Clinic (New Zealand) and Vice-President of Sport Medicine New Zealand, and has chaired committees within the Australian Physiotherapy Association and the Australian College of Physiotherapy.

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