Dr Heidi Lavis
Clinical Teaching & Research Academic
University Newcastle Department of Rural Health
- Email:heidi.lavis@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0240551927
Career Summary
Biography
Heidi is a clinician-researcher specialising in the field of neurological rehabilitation.
Clinically, Heidi is an Occupational Therapist with 25 years of experience working in hospital and community settings. Since graduating from the University of Sydney in 1997, her clinical work has been inspired by a desire to support and promote participation in important life roles that enable people to fulfil their visions of self, thereby promoting health and well-being throughout the lifespan. For the past 11 years, Heidi has proudly worked as a member of the award-winning stroke team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital (MNCLHD).
Extending her commitment to evidence-based practice, Heidi began a program of doctoral research with the University of Newcastle in November 2019. She was awarded her doctorate in September 2023, having completed a qualitative research project exploring the experiences of stroke survivors, caregivers and therapists following their participation in an upper limb restorative intervention. Whilst continuing to work in a clinical capacity at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Heidi assumed a Clinical Teaching and Research Academic role with the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health (Port Macquarie/Taree) in June 2023.
Through her collaborative research work, Heidi has a particular interest in giving voice to rural and regional community health needs. Her mission is to build research capacity amongst health clinicians and community members, further promoting health and well-being in rural and regional communities.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health & Behavioural Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Applied Occupational Therapy, University of Sydney
Keywords
- Occupational Therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Rural Health
- Stroke
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 420321 | Rural and remote health services | 100 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Clinical Teaching Research Academic | University of Newcastle University Newcastle Department of Rural Health Australia |
Awards
Award
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Smart Strokes 2025 Conference Regional/Remote Service Improvement Award Smart Strokes |
| 2025 |
Australia Day Community Group of the Year: Dunghutti Stroke Group Kempsey Shire Council |
Professional
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
MNCLHD Allied Health Professional of the Year 2025 Mid North Coast Local Health District |
Thesis Examinations
| Year | Level | Discipline | Thesis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | PHD | Health | The Bunya Project: Indigenous communities leading healthcare curricula |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Conference (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lavis H, Thompson A, Luland R, Zander V, Cowan W, Donohue J, Lockwood N, Fernando K, Quinlan G, 'Re-imagining F.A.S.T: A Dunghutti Stroke Survivor Initiative' (2025) | ||
| 2025 | Lavis H, 'Re-imagining FAST', St Leonards, NSW (2025) | ||
| 2024 | Lavis H, Luland R, Thompson A, Lockwood N, Fernando K, 'Re-imagining F.A.S.T: A Dunghutti stroke survivor initiative' (2024) | ||
| Show 1 more conference | |||
Journal article (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
Park T, Brickwood S, Buss K, Tran V, Parsons D, Wisely K, Gillett K, Lavis H, Heaney S, 'Virtually delivered lifestyle interventions for overweight and obese pregnant people: A systematic review', Women S Health, 21 (2025) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2023 |
Lavis H, van Vliet P, Tavener M, 'Stroke survivor, caregiver and therapist experiences of home-based stroke rehabilitation: a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies', PHYSICAL THERAPY REVIEWS, 28, 157-173 (2023) [C1]
Background: Following the initial period of hospitalisation, stroke rehabilitation is increasingly occurring within the home. As such, the home setting becomes a critic... [more] Background: Following the initial period of hospitalisation, stroke rehabilitation is increasingly occurring within the home. As such, the home setting becomes a critical environment in the context of rehabilitation service provision. Objectives: This study aimed to explore what factors influence the experiences of stroke survivors, caregivers and therapists participating in home-based rehabilitation. Methods: A systematic approach to thematic synthesis of qualitative studies began with search term development, followed by database search (CINAHL, Emcare, Medline, Scopus) from inception to 1 November 2022 using keywords and synonyms of 'stroke survivor', 'therapist', 'caregiver', 'home rehabilitation' and 'experience'. Included studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) qualitative checklist. Data were analysed inductively for themes using a three-step thematic synthesis approach. Results: A total of 26 studies were included in this thematic synthesis. Across the data, three overarching analytical themes were constructed, including (i) The significance of place, (ii) The impact of relationships, and (iii) The meaning of therapy. Conclusions: The home setting offers benefits and challenges to delivery and participation in physical rehabilitation after stroke, shaped by various psychosocial and environmental factors that influence outcomes. Altered roles and relationships developed within the home setting influence participatory experience, whilst the setting can offer a familiar and relevant context to promote engagement in meaningful and purposeful therapy. Prior to hospital discharge, therapists who integrate personalised contexts into therapeutic environments can better prepare stroke survivors and caregivers for therapeutic participation within the home. Furthermore, future studies conducted before, during and after therapy focussing on stroke survivor, caregiver and therapist experiences of home-based rehabilitation can provide greater insight into the barriers and facilitators of home-based rehabilitation acceptance, adherence and implementation.
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| 2023 |
van Vliet P, Carey LM, Turton A, Kwakkel G, Palazzi K, Oldmeadow C, Searles A, Lavis H, Middleton S, Galloway M, Dimech-Betancourt B, O'Keefe S, Tavener M, 'Task-specific training versus usual care to improve upper limb function after stroke: the "Task-AT Home" randomised controlled trial protocol', FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY, 14 (2023)
|
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| 2023 |
Lavis H, Van Vliet P, Tavener M, 'Lessons learnt by an experienced clinician-novice researcher throughout the process of qualitative research interviewing', The Qualitative Report, 28, 1665-1679 (2023) [C1]
|
Open Research Newcastle | |||||||||
| Show 1 more journal article | |||||||||||
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Lavis H, 'Narratives of illness and recovery: (Re)constructing continuity in life after stroke' (2023) | Open Research Newcastle |
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 8 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $42,990 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20251 grants / $4,780
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$4,780
Funding body: Mid North Coast Local Health District
| Funding body | Mid North Coast Local Health District |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Amy Thompson, Victor Zander, Rickey Luland, Wendy Cowan, Nicolette Hodyl |
| Scheme | Aboriginal Health Strategy, Policy and Performance research grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2025 |
| Funding Finish | 2025 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
| Category | 2OPS |
| UON | N |
20245 grants / $35,210
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$15,500
Funding body: NSW Regional Health Partners
| Funding body | NSW Regional Health Partners |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Amy Thompson, Rickey Luland, Victor Zander, Wendy Cowan |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2025 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$7,000
Funding body: Durri Aboriginal Medical Service
| Funding body | Durri Aboriginal Medical Service |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Wendy Cowan, Rickey Luland, Victor Zander, Amy Thompson |
| Scheme | Community Health Education Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2025 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$5,120
Funding body: National Stroke Foundation
| Funding body | National Stroke Foundation |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Amy Thompson, Rickey Luland, Wendy Cowan, Victor Zander |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | External |
| Category | EXTE |
| UON | N |
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$5,090
Funding body: Department of Rural Health University of Newcastle Australia
| Funding body | Department of Rural Health University of Newcastle Australia |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Rickey Luland, Amy Thompson, Wendy Cowan, Victor Zander |
| Scheme | Internal research grant UONDRH |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$2,500
Funding body: North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN)
| Funding body | North Coast Primary Health Network (PHN) |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Amy Thompson, Victor Zander, Rickey Luland, Wendy Cowan, Nicolette Hodyl |
| Scheme | N/A |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2024 |
| Funding Finish | 2025 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | External |
| Category | EXTE |
| UON | N |
20232 grants / $3,000
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$2,000
Funding body: Mid North Coast Local Health District
| Funding body | Mid North Coast Local Health District |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Victor Zander, Amy Thompson, Wendy Cowan, Rickey Luland |
| Scheme | Aboriginal Health Strategy, Policy and Performance research grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
Re-imagining F.A.S.T$1,000
Funding body: NSW Regional Health Partners
| Funding body | NSW Regional Health Partners |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Heidi Lavis, Victor Zander, Amy Thompson, Wendy Cowan, Rickey Luland |
| Scheme | 2023 Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Research Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2023 |
| Funding Finish | 2024 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Local |
| Category | 2OPL |
| UON | N |
Dr Heidi Lavis
Position
Clinical Teaching & Research Academic
University Newcastle Department of Rural Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
| heidi.lavis@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | 0240551927 |
Office
| Room | MEC102A |
|---|---|
| Building | Manning Education Centre |
| Location | Taree , |
Connect with me
