Louise graduated from the University of Queensland, with a Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 1997. Louise’s experience treating patients living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) began early in her career, while working in a rehabilitation ward at the Gold Coast in 1998.
Louise furthered her skills with PD, implementing the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) while working as the Speech Pathology Department Head in a rehabilitation hospital in NSW.
Louise’s diverse clinical career has spanned both adult and paediatric practice, in Australia and in the UK. She has a strong commitment to the Speech Pathology profession and sought out opportunities to improve access to appropriate therapy for people with communication and swallowing disorders. Louise has maintained membership with Speech Pathology Australia and is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. She contributed to various working parties, held a Rural Representative position within Speech Pathology Australia, and in 2010 she was successful in obtaining government funding to implement an Indigenous school readiness project.
Louise’s enthusiasm for working with people living with PD continued after completing the Parkinson Voice Project’s professional training program and working within the multidisciplinary Movement Disorders Clinic at the Maleny Soldier’s Memorial Hospital on the Sunshine Coast. Louise was the first Speech Pathologist in Australia trained in the Parkinson Voice Project’s SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® programs. She is passionate about ensuring that people with PD have access to timely and effective therapy. She enjoys working with patients to achieve their goals and encouraging them to live their best life with Parkinson’s!