B Ex Sci (Griffith University), MPhty (Griffith University), PhD (Bond University) Cherie is a physiotherapist, experienced educator and lecturer, who has worked in university settings since 2008, contributing across a wide range of subject areas. She brings extensive expertise in teaching and curriculum development within paediatric and neurological physiotherapy, with particular interests in paediatrics, community health, innovation, and the use of technology to enhance service delivery. Cherie’s clinical background spans acute hospital care, private practice, and community health. Her dedicated work with paediatric clients and their families across diverse settings has shaped her deep understanding of the needs of children and the communities she serves. In 2025, she completed her PhD, investigating access to paediatric physiotherapy services across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with a focus on how telehealth technologies may improve service accessibility for children and their families. Her research reflects her commitment to advancing equitable access to paediatric physiotherapy and aligns closely with her passion for supporting children and strengthening community health outcomes. Cherie is the Course Director and Discipline Lead for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Charles Sturt University, where she oversees program leadership, curriculum quality, and student learning experiences. She also serves as Chair of the Communications Committee for the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Paediatrics (IOPTP), collaborating with colleagues worldwide to share knowledge and promote consistent, high‑quality paediatric physiotherapy practice. In addition, she is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy at Bond University. Cherie has been teaching across a variety of physiotherapy subjects in the tertiary education sector since 2008. She has been a subject convenor, problem-based learning tutor and lead lecturer for many areas across entry-level physiotherapy programs at both the Bachelor and Extended-Masters AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) levels. Cherie has a special interest and extensive experience in teaching paediatric physiotherapy and working with persons with disabilities. She prides herself in supporting and motivating students to become professional, skilled and effective physiotherapists. She is experienced in developing new subjects, course materials and assessment items. She supports the development of innovative and high-quality teaching resources for physiotherapy students and has a strong commitment to continuously developing abilities and teaching performance through professional development, self-reflection and peer-review. She has as a strong commitment to providing feedback to students in flexible and individual ways. Cherie’s research focuses on neurodevelopmental paediatrics, with a particular interest in service access and the role of technology in reducing barriers to physiotherapy care for children and families. She completed her PhD in this field, examining how telehealth and other digital innovations can support equitable access to paediatric physiotherapy services across metropolitan, rural, and remote communities. Her doctoral thesis, “Access to paediatric physiotherapy services: can technology help?”, explored service availability and utilisation across Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, highlighting systemic challenges and opportunities for improving access through technology‑enabled models of care. Cherie has published multiple peer‑reviewed articles related to paediatric service access, telehealth, and models of care, and she has presented her work at national and international conferences. Her contributions extend beyond her own research; she has served on scientific committees for both national and international conferences, supporting the development of high‑quality research programs and fostering collaboration across the physiotherapy and paediatric health communities. She also supervises honours students, guiding emerging researchers as they develop skills in inquiry, critical thinking, and evidence‑based practice. Cherie is an affiliate of the Children’s Voices Centre, where she contributes to interdisciplinary research focused on understanding children’s perspectives and experiences of healthcare. Her work in this space aims to elevate children’s voices in service design and delivery, ensuring that healthcare systems and practices reflect the needs, preferences, and lived experiences of the young people they serve. This commitment to child‑centred research aligns closely with her broader goal of improving access, equity, and quality in paediatric physiotherapy and community health.
Physiotherapy3806164
Dr Cherie Zischke
Course Director Physiotherapy / Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Port Macquarie
Building 801, Room 3016