Dr Bernie Bissett is a Canberra-based physiotherapist who has specialised in physiotherapy for intensive care and acutely unwell patients. Bernie has more than 20 years' experience working in Sydney, London and Canberra. Bernie is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at University of Canberra, while she still maintains a visiting academic role with Canberra Health Services.

In 2016 Bernie completed her PhD under the supervision of Assoc Professor Jenny Paratz, Assoc Professor Robert Boots and Dr Anne Leditschke. Bernie's PhD work focused on the use of inspiratory muscle training to enhance recovery from mechanical ventilation in adult intensive care patients. Bernie's research work has included both randomised clinical trials and observational studies exploring interventions such as inspiratory muscle training and early mobilisation in ICU, as well we outcome measures for physical function in this population. More recently Bernie is leading research about COVID-19 recovery at the University of Canberra Hospital. 

Bernie supervises both Honours and PhD students, and her ongoing research interests are focused on improving recovery and quality of life for adult ICU patients and those with COVID-19. 

In 2016 Bernie was awarded the UC Faculty of Health Research Impact Prize, and was nominated for the ACT Scientist of the Year Award. In 2020 Bernie was awarded the Faculty of Health prize for outstanding research supervision, and in 2022 won the Faculty Rapid Fire Research prize.

Bernie is passionate about collaborating with clinicians to answer patient-centred research questions that will improve patient care around the world. Bernie is also highly enthusiastic about research communication, and provides training and coaching in pitching skills to clinicians and academics across the Canberra region. 

Bernie is grateful to have her research funded through the Canberra Health Services private practice fund, as well as the Australian Physiotherapy Association Jill Nosworthy grant.