Rachel Quigley

Rachel Quigley is a physiotherapist working in the field gerontology for over 25 years. She has worked in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Australia. She is a founding member of the Healthy Ageing Research Team (HART), https://www.jcu.edu.au/division-of-tropical-health-and-medicine/research/hart, a group of clinician-based researchers in FNQ whose research agenda is driven by community identified priorities and clinical need.  Rachel holds the position of Senior Research Fellow within HART. The focus of her research is on healthy ageing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Rachel also works for the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service as an advanced physiotherapist providing geriatric services within the Older Persons Integrated Health Service as well as outreach to the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service. 

Rachel completed an MPhil in 2020 that investigated how carers of older adults with complex needs navigate through health and aged care systems.

She completed her PhD through JCU, which developed a framework to support ageing well in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.

Rachel has over twelve years’ experience as a health and community-based researcher and project manager across a range of studies with a focus on healthy ageing and dementia with a specific focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Currently CI across several studies with funding over $8M, as well as project manager for QLD on further funded studies. Skilled in grant writing, qualitative research, co-design, stakeholder engagement and research translation. Committed to culturally safe research practices, and community-led health initiatives that advance equitable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Rachel has over thirty-five years clinical experience with twenty-five years working in the field of gerontology. Working as an advanced physiotherapist in developing and implementing service delivery to older adults across Far North Queensland. She is committed to applying evidence-based approaches that contribute to innovation and improved health service delivery.