Executive Board and Regional Representative Members

Email: c.comer@nhs.net Twitter: @DrCComer

I am a postdoctoral physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal care, with a particular interest in the management of patients with degenerative spinal and joint conditions. My clinical work has focused on musculoskeletal care in the community setting in Leeds since 2002, and I have practiced as a spinal advanced practice physiotherapist in the Leeds Community spinal assessment and treatment service for several years. I have recently moved from clinical work into a new role as MSK Clinical education lead at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Musculoskeletal and Rehabilitation Service. I developed an interest in clinical research focusing on non-operative management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in 2006, and completed my PhD with the University of Leeds in 2012 funded by Arthritis Research UK. An HEE/NIHR Clinical Lectureship award has allowed me to continue my postgraduate research over the last 3 years, and I was awarded an Honorary Clinical Associate Professorship by the University of Leeds in recognition of contributions to clinical and academic leadership in 2018. I have also been Allied Health Professionals Research Champion for Yorkshire since my appointment by the NIHR and CAHPR in 2018. As part of this role, I am actively involved in encouraging and supporting Allied Health Professionals’ postgraduate development in clinical research roles.

Email: gillianp.graham@belfasttrust.hscni.net Twitter: @gillianpg

I graduated in 1999 from University of Ulster, Belfast and started work in Musgrave Park Hospital in the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust in 2000. I have held my current post since 2009. My job is interesting and diverse, involving a mix of spinal orthopaedic clinics, physiotherapy and service development projects.