Elizabeth Kenny (20 September 1880 – 30 November 1952) is an unaccredited Australian nurse who promotes a controversial new approach to the treatment of poliomyelitis in the era before mass vaccination eradicates the disease in most countries.

Her findings run counter to conventional medical wisdom; they demonstrate the need to exercise muscles affected by polio instead of immobilizing them.

Kenny's principles of muscle rehabilitation become the foundation of physical therapy, or physiotherapy.