Cassandra N Butler

With bachelor’s degrees in both Science (Research Honours, Major in Physiology) and Clinical Exercise Physiology, I bring significant knowledge across key areas of exercise physiology (severe mental illness, general chronic disease management, musculoskeletal conditions, and cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation). I successfully completed a multi-site clinical exercise trial, involving cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system function, in people with a severe mental illness, resulting in First Class Honours. This has since led me to commence my PhD in the field, and assist with multiple research projects within Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service.

Since April 2017, I have been working with medical professionals to incorporate my ongoing research findings into routine best practice care within the Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services (MSAMHS) at Queensland Health. Subsequently, through project, advocacy and clinical work I have led, I have advocated for and facilitated exercise physiology service growth from 0.4 FTE Accredited Exercise Physiologist at a single MSAMHS site to 4.22 FTE service-wide roles, which also facilitate and supports student placements across multiple sites.

My research is focussed on optimising the feasibility and acceptability of exercise as standard care in public mental health services.