Presenters

Megan Ross

Dr Megan Ross is an APHRA registered physiotherapist and postdoctoral researcher at The University of Queensland, Australia. Megan received a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with First Class Honours) and a PhD in Physiotherapy from The University of Queensland. Megan is the inaugural Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Panel and has served on the State Branch Committee for the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group since 2021. Megan practiced in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinics prior to undertaking her PhD research to characterise the clinical presentation of tibialis posterior tendinopathy. Megan has published 20 journal articles and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the RECOVER Injury Research Centre, focusing on access to and utilisation of health care, specifically in relation to marginalised populations, digital health and consumer perspectives. Dr Ross leads a program of research in the area of LGBTQIA+ experiences of, and access to healthcare with a focus on physiotherapy and allied health. Megan has received over $50, 000 AUD in funding to co-design, implement and evaluate an educational resource to improve physiotherapists cultural safety for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Kate Gallo

Kate (she/they) is a queer and neurodivergent physiotherapist working in a private multidisciplinary clinic on Sydney's Northern Beaches. She works primarily with an NDIS and private caseload, supporting clients through exercise-based interventions. She has an interest in supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ patients to feel empowered through exercise, and using a collaborative and holistic approach to best support each individual's needs. Kate is currently focusing on helping clients with sensory complexities, and those with a background of trauma.

Emre Ilhan

Dr Emre Ilhan (he/him) is an acute care (post-surgical, intensive care) and rehabilitation physiotherapist who mainly works in the hospital setting. Emre is a strong advocate for providing inclusive and gender-affirming care to LGBTQIA+ children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in the hospital setting. Emre believes that compassionate, inclusive, and equitable care is critical to ameliorating the health disparities experienced by LGBTQIA+ people.

Rob Hardy

Rob joined LGBTIQ+ Health Australia in July 2021. He brings over 15 years' experience working in health promotion and training roles including Health Promotion Manager at Family Planning NSW and HIV & Related Programs Health Promotion Manager at Northern Sydney Local Health District. Originally trained as an occupational therapist, he has worked in acute, rehabilitation and community settings in the areas of aged care, people living with HIV, brain injury, intellectual and physical disabilities. Rob has a strong knowledge of the health system and extensive experience working in the public, private (USA) and non-government sectors including international programs in the Pacific.Rob is passionate about the sexual rights of people with disability and developing innovative programs to address health inequity through advocacy, partnership development and capacity building.