Clinical Edge team

We have an outstanding team of highly qualified and experienced Physiotherapists here at Clinical Edge, all focused on bringing you practical education you can use with your patients, to improve your clinical skills, results and confidence.

Senior Physiotherapy Educators & Presenters

David Toomey (NZ Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist & PhD Candidate AUT)

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

David Toomey is an experienced and passionate New Zealand based Senior Physiotherapist with a demonstrated history of working with clients from acute injury management to chronic pain conditions and from weekend warriors to elite performers. Motivated and inquisitive, he aims to marry the art and the science of the profession, for better client and professional outcomes.

Having graduated with a BSc(Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy from University College Dublin, David returned to his alma mater to tutor on the undergraduate physiotherapy curriculum. Upon moving to New Zealand David completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Orthopaedic Manual Techniques (COMT) and went on to complete his Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Auckland University Technology. He is currently undertaking his PhD after receiving the Vice-Chancellor Doctoral Scholarship Award.

David continues to work in private practice where he has managed clinics, worked as a Clinical Educator and Clinical Lead for a number of organisations and institutions. Having played semi-professional rugby himself, David is no stranger to high performance sport or the injuries that accompany it. He has been fortunate to work in professional environments such as Leinster Rugby, The World Rugby U20 Championship and the ATP World Tour.

David is a published author in the field of concussion and chronic pain and is currently undertaking his PhD in the area of exercise induced hypoalgesia. He also holds qualifications in dry needling, clinical Pilates and strength & conditioning. In his free time he enjoys eating cheesecake, watching movies and telling ‘dad’ jokes, preferably all at the same time!"

Zoe Russell (Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, FACP)

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

Zoe Russell is a Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist (FACP) with over 15 years of experience working with elite and semi-elite sporting teams in private practice and at the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS).

Zoe initially completed a Undergraduate dual degree in Physiotherapy and Exercise Science in 2012. She then completed the Masters in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy at Griffith University, becoming a dual-titled APA Musculoskeletal and Sports & Exercise Physio in 2012.

Zoe continued her training, and completed the Australian College of Physiotherapists Specialisation two year training and examination process in 2021, attaining the highest level of Physiotherapy clinical qualification in Australia - becoming a Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist.

Zoe is passionate about applying research in a clinical setting to ensure athletes of all levels receive high value care. Zoe is involved in research conducting a systematic review on Patella Tendinopathy, and continues to review research articles for the PEDro database.

A former elite Indoor Netballer, Zoe has worked with athletes across a variety of sports including Netball, Football (Soccer) and Cricket, at both state, national and international level, with Indoor Netball Federation of Australia, and most recently with the New Zealand White Ferns Cricket Team. Whilst, Zoe is now a retired netballer, she remains active with gym and swimming, and enjoys travelling with the opportunity to refine her new found photography skills!

Clare Walsh (Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist, FACP)

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

Clare is also a Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist (FACP) who has worked with elite and recreational athletes at all levels for over 20 years. Clare has represented Australia as a team physiotherapist at three Olympic games, including two winter and one summer games.

Clare worked with the Sydney Swans AFL team for 16 years and has also worked with Cricket NSW, the Australian Women’s Water Polo team, Australian Paralympic Football team (Pararoos) and South Sydney Juniors Rugby League representative teams.

Her sports experience has led to particular interest and expertise in hip, knee and shoulder conditions. Clare’s passion for physiotherapy extends to teaching undergraduate physiotherapists, mentoring younger colleagues and educating the public in injury prevention, health and wellbeing.

Outside of work, Clare loves to travel, swim in the ocean and keep fit by running around with her young cavoodle.

Melissa Wallace (Physiotherapist, Accredited Hand Therapist AHTA, Master of Science (Hand therapy)

Senior Physio Educator & Presenter

Melissa Wallace is an experienced Hand Therapist working in private practice in Newcastle. She graduated from the University of Newcastle as a Physiotherapist in 2009 and worked across a variety of public settings before focusing on Hand Therapy in 2013.

Melissa completed the 2014 Sydney Hospital Hand Therapy Fellowship, is an Accredited Hand Therapist (as awarded by the Australian Hand Therapy Association), and a Certified Hand Therapist (Hand Therapy Commission USA). She completed a Master of Science (Hand Therapy) through the University of Derby in May 2019.

Melissa is passionate about hand therapy, especially acute hand and wrist injuries, and the provision of evidence-based rehabilitation to maximise patient outcomes. She enjoys sharing this interest with colleagues, having presented at AHTA conferences and APA Courses.

Outside of work Melissa enjoys spending time with her young family, running, and Pilates.

Infographics team

Ellen O'Callaghan (APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist)

Infographics coordinator

Ellen is an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physio, working with Clinical Edge to outline and coordinate our spectacular, informative and always popular infographics.

Ellen works in private practice and as a tutor at UniSA (University of South Australia).

Following a Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy from University of South Australia in 2013, she completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy in 2019. She went on to receive both the Marie Hammond Postgraduate Award & Patricia Trott Prize for the highest academic achievement across the theoretical and clinical courses.

Her passion for education led her to become a tutor at the University of South Australia in Musculoskeletal physiotherapy, pain science and therapeutic exercise prescription, in addition to developing pain education resources for an SA Health Pain Management Unit.

Ellen currently sits on the South Australian Pain Group Committee for the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

She has been fortunate to travel extensively overseas, and in her spare time she loves weekends away in her miniature caravan, ballroom dancing, martial arts, hiking, circus skills or playing with her cat Steven.

Previous Clinical Edge team members, who have recorded outstanding presentations & podcasts with Clinical Edge

Simon Olivotto

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

Simon Olivotto is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with over 19 years clinical experience. Based in Sydney Australia, Simon specialises in managing difficult and complex cases of persistent musculoskeletal pain. He currently consults with the Australian Defence Forces where he has worked full time for over 16 years. Simon also has over 8 years experience in a part time primary contact emergency department role as well as other private practice, sports and hospital settings. Simon has a Masters in Health Science in Manipulative Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 2007 and also completed the Australian Physiotherapy Level 3 Sports Physiotherapy Certificate in 2013.

Most recently, Simon successfully completed the rigorous two-year Australian College of Physiotherapists Musculoskeletal Clinical Specialisation training program and was awarded with Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2019.

Simon’s passion is for delivering high value evidence-based care and he enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with other clinicians. Simon has held teaching roles at University of Sydney as well as on post graduate Australian Physiotherapy Association courses. Simon maintains a keen interest in research and is involved as a treating clinician in trials as well as reviewer for the PeDRO database. Whenever Simon is not busy working or studying, he enjoys keeping active, good food, travel and has an eclectic taste in ‘90s alternative music.

Simon commenced a PhD with the University of Sydney in 2022, and maintains a clinical caseload with the Australian Defence Forces. As an outstanding clinician, presenter and team member, we hope Simon will rejoin the Clinical Edge team after finishing his PhD!

Paula Peralta

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

Paula Peralta is a Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist (FACP), with more than 15 years experience in private practice and working with elite sport.

Paula has worked with multiple Australian Teams including the Australian Diamonds (Netball), Australian Boomers (Basketball), Australian Commonwealth Games Teams (Glasgow and Gold Coast) and Australian Paralympic Team (pre-London, Rio and Tokyo). Paula has also worked with Australian Junior Athletics, Netball and Basketball (able body and wheelchair) teams.

Paula currently works between NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS), Sydney West Physio and the Clinical Edge team, and has an interest in injury risk reduction strategies, a healthy bias towards the lower limb and the lifespan of an athlete.

An ex-elite level netball, Paula enjoys cycling, going to the gym and hanging out with friends.

Nick Kendrick

Senior Physiotherapy educator & presenter

Nick is an APA Titled Sports and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with a passion for innovative, evidence-based and clinically-reasoned assessment and treatment.

Nick is based in Brisbane, Australia and works as the clinical lead in a private practice with a diverse caseload. Nick provides treatment on three current clinical trials, including the PEAK trial, the PACE trial and the HAPPi Kneecaps Trial. He was a treating clinician on a number of Research trials including the FOHX anterior knee pain trial, the HOPE study into hip OA, and the FootPATH trial for PFJ OA.

Following a bachelor’s degree in Human Movement Studies, Nick went on to complete a University of Queensland Graduate Entry Masters in Physiotherapy in 2010.

In 2016 Nick completed a Master’s degree in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy at Griffith University, and received the Physiotherapy Award for finishing at the top of the cohort.

Nick is actively involved in the physiotherapy profession and am currently the deputy chair of the Queensland Branch of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Association (MPA) committee, an APA subgroup and IFOMPT member organisation.

An ex-Australian Rules football player, Nick loves spending time with his family, barracking for the Brisbane Lions AFL team, getting outdoors to exercise (running mostly) and occasionally finds time to dabble in surfing and fishing.

Clinical Edge staff - other duties

Ella Bernadette

Executive Assistant

Ella Bernadette graduated with honors from The University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts, Major in Speech and Corporate Communications in 2013. Ella is an Executive Assistant at Clinical Edge, involved in podcast, video and graphic design coordination and production, content management, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Kyle Shovan

Website developer

Kyle is our resident website developer who uses code and programming languages including Laravel, VueJS, React, and other technologies to continue to develop and improve the Clinical Edge website.