Jamaican physiotherapist named among world’s 75 noteworthy

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican physiotherapist, educator, entrepreneur and clinical leader Dr Bernadette Bryan-Frankson has been recognised among World Physiotherapy’s 75 Noteworthy Physiotherapists, a prestigious global recognition commemorating the organisation’s 75th anniversary.

Bryan-Frankson was nominated by Gayean Johnson through the Jamaica Physiotherapy Association and selected following a review process and recommendation to the World Physiotherapy Executive Board.

The 75 physiotherapists being recognised represent individuals whose contributions have helped advance the profession and its impact around the world.

For Bryan-Frankson, whose career spans more than four decades, the recognition represents one of the most significant milestones of her professional journey.

“To be recognised among World Physiotherapy’s 75 Noteworthy Physiotherapists means that the many small decisions to keep learning, keep building and keep serving have, over time, added up to something significant, reaching beyond their roots in Jamaica to resonate on the world stage,” she said.

She described her initial reaction to the news as one of “surprise and absolute elation,” followed by a profound sense of humility as she considered the distinguished company in which she had been placed. Among those recognised are internationally renowned physiotherapists whose work influenced her own professional development, including Robin McKenzie and Kari Bø.

Dr Bryan-Frankson entered the School of Physiotherapy in Kingston in 1978 and has since built a career encompassing clinical practice, education, mentorship, professional leadership and entrepreneurship.

She has contributed to the development of specialist rehabilitation services in Jamaica, including pelvic health and lymphoedema management, while also teaching and mentoring generations of physiotherapists.

As Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Clinical Director of Physical Therapy Solutions Ltd, she has worked to establish a Jamaican-owned practice capable of delivering rehabilitation services to international standards while creating employment and developing healthcare professionals.

More recently, her continued interest in identifying gaps in rehabilitation led her into another pioneering area: canine rehabilitation. After undertaking formal training, she established Paws for Physio, Jamaica’s first canine rehabilitation unit, and has continued to explore the potential of virtual rehabilitation for both human and animal patients across the Caribbean.

Despite the significance of the World Physiotherapy recognition, Bryan-Frankson does not regard it as the conclusion of her professional journey.

“At this stage of my career, I am still motivated by curiosity, possibility and the excitement of seeing what can be created next,” she said. “I do not see this stage of my career as a period of winding down. I see it as a period of extending reach.”

Her recognition is also deeply significant to her as a Jamaican and Caribbean practitioner. She believes it demonstrates that professionals working in smaller countries can create work with global relevance, regardless of the resources or visibility available to them.

“Our region has knowledge, creativity and leadership to offer the global profession,” she said, adding that she hopes the recognition will encourage younger physiotherapists to understand that “where you begin does not determine how far your contribution can reach.”

World Physiotherapy is announcing the 75 noteworthy physiotherapists individually between September and November 2026. Their contributions will also be featured on the organisation’s website and in a special commemorative publication. Recipients will receive a certificate and medal, with wider recognition planned for late November.

For Bryan-Frankson, however, the recognition is as much about the road ahead as the achievements behind her.

“I hope to be remembered as a trailblazer whose curiosity, courage and commitment helped move the profession forward in my country,” she said.