Meet the team

Dr David Herdman – Clinical Lead Physiotherapist 

David is the Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at St George’s Hospital and research fellow at University College London, allowing him to combine clinical expertise with research to provide the very best care to people with complex neurological and vestibular conditions. He obtained a first-class honours degree in Physiotherapy from Keele University in 2009, and a PhD in 2022 from King’s College London. His doctoral thesis focussed on developing treatment for people with persistent dizziness, known as the INVEST Trial. He has now obtained a prestigious Advanced Clinical Academic Fellowship from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), with the ambition to take this work forwards.

David is a highly respected clinician with a global reputation in vestibular rehabilitation. He has earned advanced accreditation and is the director of the UK Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency Course. He is also part of the teaching faculty for other professional courses and an elected member of the Bárány Society. He is frequently invited to speak at national and international conferences/events and has previously served as the Chair of the UK physiotherapy special interest group for vestibular rehabilitation (ACPIVR). He has published several articles and received a ‘Better Health’ Award in 2024 for his contribution to innovation and research.

Elizabeth Williamson – Operational Lead Physiotherapist

Liz qualified as a Physiotherapist in 2009 and has worked at St George’s Hospital since 2010.  For the last 10 years she has specialised in the management of neurological and vestibular conditions. She has extensive experience treating a wide range of Neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.  She has completed postgraduate courses including Bobath, APPI Pilates and orthotics.  She is a highly motivated and passionate about supporting patients to achieve their goals.

Liz currently works part time as a Principal Physiotherapist in Neuro & Vestibular Outpatients at St George’s Hospital and works one day a week in the Functional Neurological Disorders team.  She has a specialist interest in dizziness and balance disorders and is currently on the executive committee of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists interested in Vestibular Rehabilitation (ACPIVR).

Liz has recently completed a prestigious research fellowship developing a project looking at persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury in children.  She is passionate about teaching, and she has run advanced splinting courses, alongside teaching on masters modules for vestibular rehabilitation.

Rachael Joyce – Highly Specialised Physiotherapist

Rachael has worked as a Physiotherapist since graduating her MSc Physiotherapy at Northumbria University in 2015. She has worked in a wide range of hospitals and teams and joined St Georges Hospital in 2017, specialising in Neurological Physiotherapy.

Rachael has a keen interest in neurological gait, vestibular rehabilitation, and spasticity management. She has vast clinical experience having worked across acute, rehab, outpatient, and community settings. This clinical experience, underpinning knowledge of Neurological rehabilitation and specialist approach, lends itself well to a wide range of neurological conditions including Stroke, Vestibular dysfunction, Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic and Acquired Brain injuries, Movement disorders and a wide range of Peripheral Nervous System conditions. During her career Rachael has additionally worked as a clinical specialist Physiotherapist in the Gait Laboratory at St Georges Hospital. Clinically analysing Adult and Paediatric neurological gait patterns to provide advice and guidance for ongoing management and intervention. She has provided Physiotherapy training locally and internationally and has completed various courses herself, most recently the Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Competency Based Course. She is passionate about goal orientated holistic care, encouraging, educating, and empowering people with their ongoing management and rehabilitation goals.

Dr Glenn Nielsen – Senior Lecturer in Neurological Physiotherapy / Clinical Academic Physiotherapist

Glenn has a background in neurorehabilitation and he specialises in functional neurological disorder (FND). He also works at St George’s University of London, where he leads research into FND mechanisms and treatment, amongst other interests

Kate Holt – FND Specialist Physiotherapist

Kate obtained a first class honours degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Hertfordshire in 2008 and has specialised in Neurology since 2009 taking a particular interest in chronic conditions when she worked as part of a Neuro Long-term conditions multidisciplinary team in Hackney. Kate began working as a specialist physiotherapist in FND at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in 2014 where she delivered the intervention for a pilot study of a novel 5-day physiotherapy programme for FND designed and led by Dr Glenn Nielsen and Professor Mark Edwards. In 2016 Kate set up the FND physiotherapy service at St Georges hospital with support from Dr Glenn Nielsen. Kate also has a bank role with the  Wolfson virtual FND multi disciplinary team, and she has an interest in treating cervical dystonia. She has completed a masters module for injecting which led to a year of extended scope activity delivering Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks for the St Georges NHS migraine clinic. Kate has enjoyed contributing to education and research, has presented at national and international conferences, has co-authored two textbook chapters on Physiotherapy in FND and was a codeveloper of the Physio4FMD trial intervention and training programme.

Cameron Moss – Principal Physiotherapist (FND) & FND Specialist Physiotherapist

Cameron qualified as a physiotherapist at London South Bank University in 2008, after completing a previous degree in Sport Studies. He has worked specifically within neurology since 2010, and has specialised in FND since 2018.  He has completed additional training in physiotherapy for FND, as well as Advanced Bobath treatment, Self-Management, and an MSc module on Mental Health Skills from King’s College London.  He has presented at conferences and taught at universities on FND and has a specialist interest in fixed functional dystonia.

Iwona Klimek-Haponik – Therapy Technician

Iwona (pronounced “Ee-VAW-nah “) is the longest serving member of the team having joined St George’s Hospital in 2007. She plays a vital role, supporting the physiotherapists and ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care and support with their exercises across neurology, vestibular, and hand therapy services. She is bilingual, speaking both Polish and English. She is known for her exceptional kindness and unwavering dedication to her patients.

Her warm and friendly nature creates a nurturing environment in which patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their rehabilitation journey. This is evident in the excellent feedback she receives from patients, who often comment on the positivity and encouragement she brings to every interaction. Her commitment to providing exceptional care and support to our patients exemplifies the values of St George’s Hospital, which has not gone unnoticed. She has received both the Healthcare Assistant of the Year award, and the Trust Values Award for Patient Kindness.