Menu Close

Michele Verdonck

Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, University of the Sunshine Coast

Michèle joined the USC Occupational Therapy team in 2013. Prior to her USC appointment she enjoyed working as an occupational therapist at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in Dublin Ireland.

Michèle graduated as an Occupational therapist from The University of The Witwatersrand in 1996. She spent the first years of her early career working at Natalspruit Hospital in Khatlehong, South Africa where she developed a keen interest in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Her clinical experience in South Africa and Ireland developed several special interest areas including: teaching wheelchair skills; wheelchair transfers, the application of the Bobath approach in incomplete spinal cord injury rehabilitation, functional electrical stimulation and the use of technology.

She was awarded a PhD from the University College Cork, Ireland having received a Health Research Board of Ireland doctoral fellowship. This allowed her to explore the experience of using environmental control systems for people with spinal cord injury.

Michèle has a strong interest in the use of technologies in meaningful occupation. Her work includes supporting occupational therapists in the use of mainstream technologies in everyday clinical practice. She was also involved in the establishment of an electronic assistive technology service. Michele’s research collaborators include LifeTec, Brisbane; Queensland Health Spinal Outreach Team; The National Rehabilitation Hospital, Ireland and University of Manitoba, Canada

Michèle is eager to share her clinical experience with students and facilitate their growth to become confident clinicians.

Experience

  • –present
    Senior Lecturer, Occupational Therapy, University of the Sunshine Coast