Joanne and Prof. Vladimir Janda

Joanne’s love of muscle function started as an undergraduate student when she first met Prof. Vladimir Janda in 1982. So enthusiastic was she to investigate the philosophies of this great clinician that he became her clinical mentor. In 2002 Joanne was awarded a PhD for a thesis in the area, and later she completed a clinical Masters degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Her association with Prof. Janda was close for the last 20 years of his life. Prof. Janda made annual extended visits to Queensland from 1982 – 2002 and each visit augmented Joanne’s approach to clinical practice, assessment and rehabilitation.

Apart from my association with Prof. Janda, I have been fortunate to have not only completed four degrees (three of these post graduate) at the University of Queensland, but also worked there as a lecturer and senior lecturer. This experience has influenced my approach to thinking and clinical practice profoundly. In the year that I submitted the PhD thesis (1992), I was successful in gaining a position as lecturer at the University of Queensland. I was responsible for teaching in a wide number of areas, as well as my major interests in the area of joint injury, disease, muscle dysfunction and therapeutic exercise.

Research in this area of interest continued due to the support of a number of research grants, the supervision of all levels of research student, as well as collaborations with other staff members. Prof. Janda and I would work together on a number of these projects. He always demonstrated a remarkable flexibility of mind to accommodate new perceptions and clinical signs.

My own contribution to research and teaching was recognised by the invitation to be on the Adjunct Faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Health Professions during my sabbatical in Boston in 1996, as well as through promotion in 1997. Work in this decade at the University of Queensland was an exciting experience, with teaching and research of all staff directed at issues of major importance to the practice of physiotherapy.

Eleven years later however, I left full time academia to balance research with clinical practice and a family. I am currently an Associate Professor at Bond University on a part time basis as well as consulting in the Physiotherapy Clinic.