Excellence in Allied Health Awards

Congratulations to our finalists in the 2026 Excellence in Allied Health Awards

We are pleased to reveal the 35 well-deserved finalists in seven award categories!

About the Aw​​ards

The NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards is an annual keystone event for the Workforce Planning and Talent Development Branch– Allied Health Team, partnering with the Chief Allied Health Officer. These Awards honour the passion, dedication, and contributions of allied health professionals and their support staff across NSW. They also highlight NSW Health's commitment to the vital role allied health plays in providing patient-centred care.

2026 Excellence in Allied H​ealth Awards Finalists

Aboriginal Allied He​alth Professional of the Year

Fina​lists

  • Jade McCall, Social Work, South Western Sydney LHD
  • Kayla Sale, Podiatry, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
  • Tara-Lee Swainston, Occupational Therapy, Western NSW LHD
  • Ryan Taylor, Physiotherapy, South Eastern Sydney LHD
  • Katrina Wakely, Occupational Therapy, Hunter New England LHD

Allied Health Pro​​​fessional of the Year

Final​​​​ists

  • Colleen Alford, Social Work, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
  • Christie Andrighetto, Social Work, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
  • Alison Brown, Radiation Therapy, Western Sydney LHD
  • Jessica Bui, Pharmacy, Northern Sydney LHD
  • Helen McGregor, Podiatry, Northern NSW LHD

Early Career Allied Health ​Professional of the Year

Fin​​alists

  • Bismi George, Social Work, Far West LHD
  • Nicole Gregoriou, Social Work, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
  • Joshua Haydon, Physiotherapy, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
  • Laura McT​ernan, Occupational Therapy, Southern NSW LHD
  • Rachel Perera, Speech Pathology, Hunter New England LHD

Allied Health E​ducator of the Year

Fina​​lists

  • Marianne Acosta, Nutrition and Dietetics, South Western Sydney LHD
  • Georgia Lloyd, Pharmacy, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
  • Donna Napier, Radiography/ Sonography, Northern NSW LHD
  • Katrina Wakely, Occupational Therapy, Hunter New England LHD
  • Victoria Young, Radiography, Western NSW LHD

Allied Health L​eader of the Year

Fina​lists

  • Jerome Chong, Social Work, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network
  • Tia Croft, Speech Pathology, South Western Sydney LHD
  • Anna Hammond, Speech Pathology, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
  • Dr Melissa Hart, Nutrition and Dietetics, Hunter New England LHD
  • Margaret Holyday, Nutrition and Dietetics, South Eastern Sydney LHD

Allied Health Re​searcher of the Year

Fina​lists

  • Associate Professor Ronald Castelino, Pharmacy, Western Sydney LHD
  • Associate Professor Suzie Ferrie, Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney LHD
  • Dr Jannah Jones, Nutrition and Dietetics, Hunter New England LHD
  • Meegan Shepherd, Radiation Therapy, Northern Sydney LHD
  • Erica Tsang, Nutrition and Dietetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network​

Allied Heal​​​th Assistant / Technician / Support Person of the Year

Finali​sts

  • Vicki Badkin, Allied Health Assistant, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
  • Shellie Berryman, Allied Health Assistant, Southern NSW LHD
  • Mariah Delany, Allied Health Assistant, Western NSW LHD
  • Taiyo (Takayasu) Orino, Allied Health Assistant, Northern Sydney LHD
  • Deanna Stenhouse, Allied Health Assistant, Murrumbidgee LHD​

View the criteriaView the rules

Key dates for the 2026 ​​Aw​ards

  • Nominations open: 15 October 2025
  • Nominations close: COB 7 November 2025
  • Submissions reviewed by judging committee: 14 November – 5 December 2025
  • Finalists announced: 27 January 2026
  • Awards Celebration Event: Thursday 26 March 2026 at the Art Gallery of NSW

Sponsorship opportunities available

To register your interest in sponsoring the 2026 Excellence in Allied Health Awards, please review the Sponsorship Prospectus and return the completed Expression of Interest form to the Allied Health team at MoH-AlliedHealthWorkforce@health.nsw.gov.au by Friday 30 January 2026.

Past awards

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Current as at: Wednesday 28 January 2026
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development