OUR TEAM
Committed, Professional, Personalised
DENIS KELLY
PRINCIPAL PHYSIOTHERAPIST / DIRECTOR
Denis joined Central Physiotherapy in 1996 on his return from the United Kingdom.
Denis has held a number of leadership positions within Physiotherapy including on the Physiotherapy NZ National Executive, Chair of NZ Private Practitioner Association Executive and was the NZ delegate/Vice Chair to the International Private Physical Therapy Association (IPPTA).
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include pain management, acupuncture, vertigo and concussion management.
Interests outside of work include his family, cycling, golf, disc golf, rugby, fishing, tramping and outdoors activities.
Bucket list travel destinations:
Mongolia and Outback Australia
Qualifications and Memberships:
Grad DipPhys 1991, PAANZ Registered Acupuncturist, PNZ.
JEFF WALKER
PHYSIOTHERAPIST / DIRECTOR
Jeff joined Central Physiotherapy in 2003 after graduating from the University of Otago. He worked in the United Kingdom for two years between 2007 and 2009 before returning to New Zealand and Central Physiotherapy.
Jeff has been a member of Physiotherapy NZ Southland Branch committee since 2009 including a stint as President, he is the Southland delegate to the Otago-Southland Physiotherapy Trust.
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include vocational rehabilitation, occupational health, serious injury rehabilitation, orthopaedics, professional and clinical supervision of Physiotherapists.
Interests outside of work include his family, singing, tramping, audiobooks, and NFL.
Bucket list travel destinations: Antarctica, south of Spain, Israel and Brazil.
Qualifications and Memberships:
BPhty (Otago) 2002, PGCPhty (Occupational Health Physiotherapy) 2013, Health and Safety Association of NZ (HASANZ) Registered, ANZMPA, PNZ.
SAMANTHA McDOWELL
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Sam joined Central Physiotherapy in 2016 after three years working in the NHS and with her local rugby team in the United Kingdom. She has been the Physiotherapist to the Midlands rugby club since 2017.
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include sport injuries, acupuncture and post-operative orthopaedics.
Interests outside of work include cooking, hanging out with her dog Enzo and trying to beat my husband at minigolf.
Bucket list travel destinations:
To one day leave the country for a honeymoon to New York or Bora Bora.
Qualifications and memberships:
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 2013, PGCPhty (Acupuncture) 2020, PAANZ Registered Acupuncturist and PNZ.
SARAH RIDLEY
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Sarah started at Central Physiotherapy in 2005 as a new graduate, in 2007 she embarked on her overseas adventures and returned to New Zealand and Central Physiotherapy in 2019.
Sarah is our mat Pilates expert and has been running the Otautau clinic.
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include Pilates, postnatal rehabilitation, hip, and pelvic pain.
Interests outside of work include children, cooking, reading, Pilates and running.
Bucket list travel destinations: St. Petersburg, Egypt, Lake Bled (Slovenia), the Great Wall (China) and Machu Picchu (Peru).
Qualifications and memberships: BPhty 2004, PGCPhty (Acupunture) 2006, Clinical Pilates (APPI matwork 1-3), PNZ.
BELINDA McALISTER
PRACTICE MANAGER
Belinda joined Central Physiotherapy to become our Practice Manager in 2004. She ensures the smooth running of the Practice and does a tremendous job.
Interests outside of work include spending time with friends and family, walking her Schnauzer Baxter.
Bucket list travel destination: Machu Picchu (Peru).
ANGELA McMASTER
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Angela started work as a Physiotherapist in 2004 and joined the Central Physiotherapy team in 2021. She has extensive experience in the SDHB and private practice setting. Angela has been a member of the Physiotherapy NZ Southland Branch committee for several years.
Angela works part-time at our Winton Clinic with our Pelvic Health, ACC, SDHB and private clients.
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include Acupuncture and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy.
Bucket list travel destination: Milford Sound (on a clear day, so I can see Mitre Peak!!) and a Hawkes Bay wine tour.
Qualifications and memberships: BPhty (Otago) 2003, PGCPhty (Acupuncture) 2008, PNZ
KATIE MACDONELL
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Katie started work as a Physiotherapist in 2021 and joined the Central Physiotherapy team in 2022.
Katie works full-time at our Winton Clinic with our ACC, SDHB and private clients.
Special interest areas of Physiotherapy include Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Bucket list travel destination: Exploring the South - Milford Sound, the Catlins and Te Anau.
Qualifications and memberships: BPhty (Otago) 2020, PNZ