Excellence in allied health is built on daily acts of innovation, teamwork and compassion. The NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards, held in March 2025 at the Art Gallery of NSW, brought those qualities into the spotlight. Allied health professionals, assistants and technicians from every Local Health District gathered to recognise achievements that are reshaping patient- centred care across New South Wales.
Delivered by the Workforce Planning and Talent Development Branch – Allied Health Team in partnership with the Chief Allied Health Officer, the Awards honour the passion, dedication and impact of the state’s allied health workforce. They also underline NSW Health’s commitment to the essential role these professions play in delivering safe, effective care.
Excellence in Allied Health Awards – 2025
- Aboriginal Professional of the Year
- Allied Health Professional of the Year
- Early Career Professional of the Year
- Educator of the Year
- Leader of the Year
- Researcher of the Year
- Assistant / Technician / Support Person of the Year
Aboriginal Professional of the Year
Winner – Mason Smith, Physiotherapist, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
Mason is a proud Aboriginal physiotherapist dedicated to making health care more culturally safe and accessible. He mentors emerging professionals, promotes language revitalisation and breaks down barriers to care across his community.
Finalists
- Kenisha Cameron, Physiotherapist, Central Coast LHD
- Della Hoskins, Social Worker, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
- Cheryl Martin, Social Worker, South Western Sydney LHD
- Chloe Merritt, Social Worker, Murrumbidgee LHD
Allied Health Professional of the Year
Winner – Dr Kate Short, Speech Pathologist, South Western Sydney LHD
Kate is a senior clinician, lecturer and researcher whose work focuses on child development and communication disorders. Her leadership in education, policy and service design is improving outcomes for children and families across NSW.
Finalists
- Evelyn Harvey, Clinical Neuropsychologist, Western Sydney LHD
- Susan Khanna, Social Worker, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Donna Napier, Radiographer / Sonographer, Northern NSW LHD
- Suzie Olding, Pharmacist, Northern Sydney LHD
Early Career Professional of the Year
Winner – Daniel Lowe, Radiation Therapist, Western NSW LHD
Daniel led the implementation of the Liver SABR clinical pathway at the Western Cancer Centre Dubbo, collaborating with metropolitan departments to ensure best practice for rural patients.
Finalists
- Rolaren Allison, Social Worker, Far West LHD
- Christy El-Khoury, Pharmacist, Northern Sydney LHD
- Holly Phillips, Speech Pathologist, Hunter New England LHD
- Dijana Savicic, Podiatrist, St Vincent’s Hospital Network
Educator of the Year
Winner – Shirlee Maxwell, Dietitian, Hunter New England LHD
Shirlee has supervised more than 400 dietetic students and mentored new graduates over 12 years at John Hunter Hospital. She supports student supervisors and drives innovation in clinical teaching.
Finalists
- Karishma Deo, Pharmacist, South Western Sydney LHD
- Megan Escott, Social Worker, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Ryan Evans, Physiotherapist, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
- Kathryn Goldsworthy, Physiotherapist, Southern NSW LHD
Leader of the Year
Winner – Catherine Osborne, Radiation Therapist, Western NSW LHD
With more than 35 years’ experience, Catherine leads the radiation therapy team at the Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo. She is committed to rural health, interdisciplinary education and compassionate patient care.
Finalists
- Karleen Dumbrell, Occupational Therapist, South Eastern Sydney LHD
- Zoe Gulliver, Dietitian, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
- Manasi Thornley, Occupational Therapist, South Western Sydney LHD
- Nadia Vigna, Occupational Therapist, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Researcher of the Year
Winner – Dr Sim Yee (Cindy) Tan, Dietitian, Sydney LHD
Dr Cindy specialises in cancer nutrition at Concord Cancer Centre and leads survivorship research at the University of Sydney. She has supervised more than 20 research projects and mentors colleagues in integrating research into practice.
Finalists
- Dr Dragana Ceprnja, Physiotherapist, Western Sydney LHD
- Dr Denise Milicevic, Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
- Dr Kirsty Stewart, Occupational Therapist, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Dr Sally Wootton, Physiotherapist, Northern Sydney LHD
Assistant / Technician / Support Person of the Year
Winner – Dianne Redding, Allied Health Assistant, Hunter New England LHD
Over 36 years at Maitland Hospital, Dianne has become the go-to expert for casting, splinting and equipment management, mentoring new assistants and ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect.
Finalists
- Nicole Bellamy, Allied Health Assistant, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
- Eugene Orlov, Pharmacy Assistant / Technician, St Vincent’s Hospital Network
- Mohammed Shareef, Pharmacy Technician, Sydney LHD
- Vesna Stojanovic, Allied Health Assistant, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Conclusion
The NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards 2025 highlight how every specialty contributes to safer, smarter, more compassionate care. Congratulations to all winners and finalists for setting a brilliant example of what allied health can achieve.
