Honouring the region’s allied health workers

THE annual Northern NSW Local Health District Allied Health Awards have recognised health workers in Northern NSW at an awards ceremony in Lismore.

Coinciding with International Allied Health Professions Day on October 14, the awards acknowledged the expertise of allied health professionals and their impact on patient experience and health outcomes.

The eight winners from 36 nominations included occupational therapist, Cassidy Baker (Ballina-Lismore), speech pathology assistant Katherine Smith (Tweed-Byron), and radiographer Donna Napier (Tweed-Byron).

District-wide, psychologist with the Child and Adolescent Specialist Eating Disorder Team, Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs, Alex McCord won the Allied Health Researcher of the Year, and Specialist Palliative Care Service, comprising social workers and occupational therapists, was recognised as Multi-Disciplinary Team of the Year.

Allied Health Leader of the Year was chief radiation therapist, Grace McMullen, and counsellor and clinician Paige Taylor was named Allied Health Professional of the Year.

The Allied Health Professional of the Year was podiatrist Helen McGregor (Lismore-Richmond) with commendations for social workers Rebecca Pevitt and Jessica Jeffreys.

NNSWLHD district director of Planning, Partnerships and Allied Health Kathryn Watson said that 650 allied health professionals worked in Northern NSW across a diverse range of professions.

“Each offers specialised expertise in preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions and illnesses for patients of all ages,” Watson said.

NSW Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin allied health professionals played a vital role.

“Allied health leads the way in delivering integrated care models, whether in hospitals, community centres, clinics or homes and work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Saffin said.

All winners will be nominated for the NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards which to be held in Sydney in March 2026.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said more than 17,000 allied health professionals worked with NSW Health across 23 professions.

“They provide essential care and support to patients, their families and carers, and embody our commitment to delivering kind, compassionate and high-quality care,” Park said.