Biography

Jodie Dakic is a lecturer at Monash Univeristy in the Department of Physiotherapy and is currently the Co-Director of Curriculum of Physiotherapy Program and Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health Stream Lead. She obtained a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) and Post-Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her clinical career has included 14 years working with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA); her roles have included the Director of Athlete Medical Services and a full-time travelling position. Other clinical experience has included roles with Tennis Australia, Australian junior softball team, Victorian softball team and Melbourne Sports and Spinal clinic.  She also acts as a Research Consultant to the WTA, publishing and presenting on injury epidemiology and prevention in professional female tennis.  

Jodie has combined her extensive clinical experience in elite female sport and women's health with a strong research focus on pelvic floor conditions impacting female athletes.  She completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne and is currently completing her PhD investigating pelvic floor disorders in exercising women/female athletes. Her research aims to (i) investigate the impact of pelvic floor disorders on female participation and performance in sport/exercise and (ii) establish current practice for screening and managing pelvic floor disorder within sports/exercise organisations.  

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne (1^st class honours), 1999-2002
• Post Graduate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, 2017- 2018.
• Doctor of Philosophy candidate- The University of Melbourne, 2018-current

Clinical Experience:

• Pelvic Strength Physiotherapy Private Practice (current)
• Women’s Tennis Association- Primary Health Care Provider/ Research Consultant. (2006-current)
• Women's Tennis Association - Director of Athlete Care 2007-2009, 2011-2013
• 50+ International and Premier WTA Events Worldwide including:
• Australian Open 
• Wimbledon 
• French Open
• US Open 
• Masters Championships
• Tennis Australia Physiotherapist PHCP (2004-2006)
• Australian Softball Team- Youth Olympics 2003

Teaching commitments:

Current:

• Co-Director of Physiotherapy Programs (2020 -current)
• Womens and Men's Health Stream Leader
• Unit coordinator for Integrated Practice Unit (PTY5201) 
• Chief Examiner PTY1022 (24 credit point unit)

Past: 

• Unit coordinator for Musculoskeletal Units (PTY1011, PTY1022) 

 Research experience and interests:

• Injury epidemiology and prevention
• Sport and Exercise
• Women's Health 
• Pelvic Floor Disorders
• Female Athlete Health and Performance
• Health Education

Consulting

• Australian Institute of Sports Female Performance and Health Initiative Research and Education working group
• Women's Tennis Association Primary Health Care Provider and Research Consultant

Professional Memberships

• APHRA Physiotherapist Board Registration   
• Australian Physiotherapy Association Member
• Sports Medicine Australia Member
• Continence Foundation Australia Member and Victorian Physiotherapy Group Member.
• International Continence Society Member
• Physios for Physical Activity Australia Member