As announced at the 2023 PNZ Annual General Meeting on 10 November, congratulations to Gaela Kilgour on receiving PNZ Life Membership for her contribution to PNZ, the physiotherapy profession and/or public health.
Gaela has been an active member of the PNZ Paediatric Special Interest Group for over 20 years, during which time she has been pivotal in leading, organising, and providing professional development opportunities for the PSIG and PNZ membership, as well as the broader physiotherapy profession.
She shares her knowledge and experience willingly and volunteers a vast amount of time to advancing and raising the profile of physiotherapy. She is also a strong advocate for physiotherapists as well as the young people and whānau she works with.
Gaela is respected throughout New Zealand and internationally, by both physiotherapy and occupational therapy clinicians and researchers, as well as medical and nursing staff. She is passionate about providing and creating opportunities for all people, regardless of their disability, to be physically active and participate in their community.
Her PhD research has investigated participation in physical activity for adolescents with cerebral palsy, exploring their and their families’ experiences of sustaining participation now and into their future. She has presented her findings locally, nationally, and internationally; with this work currently in the process of being published.
She also has several other publications to her name and has presented her work at a wide range of study days and conferences, within New Zealand and overseas.
Gaela is recognised as a leader in the profession through her representation on a number of national and international committees. She is one of the founding members of the Cerebral Palsy Clinical Network and is leading the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Pacific group supporting engagement with Pasifika peoples.
Congratulations again to Gaela on this much deserved recognition and thank you for all your work.
Page updated November 2023