DrJoan O'Donnell

Joan is a lecturer in Occupational Therapy in the Faculty of Medicine and Health and teaches in the undergaduate and graduate courses. Joan graduated with a B.AppSc.(OT) from the Cumberland College of Health Sciences in 1986 and M.Sc(Med.) from The University Of Sydney in 1998 after investigating the functional outcomes after surgery for intracerebral haemorrhage. Joan obtained a PhD in Clinical Medicine following research examining the functional outcomes of cerebrovascular neurosurgery at Macquarie University, Australia. The research investigated the quality of life and fitness to drive after surgical and conservative management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms and brain arteriovenous malformations. Joan's research focus is on driver health.

Joan has worked in acute care, rehabilitation and consultancy in the public and private sectors, as both a clinician and manager.The range of clinical fields Joan has experienced includes driver assessment, neurosurgery, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, aged care and occupational rehabilitation.