Kirsten Russell

Kirsten Russell is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with James Cook University, based at the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health in Mount Isa. She leads the delivery of allied health services through a service‑learning model, supervising student‑led clinics that provide care to rural and remote communities. In this role, Kirsten mentors Exercise Physiology students and early career allied health professionals, supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and culturally appropriate interventions for clients across chronic disease management, mental health, geriatric care, youth programs, and substance‑use recovery. Her work integrates clinical practice with student education, expanding access to essential health services in resource limited settings. 

Kirsten's research is based on rural and remote health, focusing on the role of exercise based interventions to support mental health and wellbeing. She examines how communities can engage with and sustain health programs, and how service delivery models can be tailored to meet the unique needs of geographically isolated populations. Her work bridges research and practice, combining applied studies, community partnerships, and program evaluation to inform effective interventions and enhance allied health education. Through this research, Kirsten contributes to building evidence-based strategies that strengthen workforce capacity, improve service delivery, and support sustainable health outcomes in underserved communities.