The outstanding and dedicated work of allied health clinicians has been celebrated at the NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards, held in Sydney last night.
The annual awards recognise the passion, dedication, and contributions of allied health professionals and their support staff across the NSW public health system, with 35 finalists considered in the seven award categories.
Awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM.
The winners in each of the seven categories are:
- Allied Health Professional of the Year
Dr Kate Short, Speech Pathologist, South Western Sydney Local Health District
- Allied Health Leader of the Year
Catherine Osborne, Radiation Therapist, Western NSW Local Health District
- Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year
Daniel Lowe, Radiation Therapist, Western NSW Local Health District
- Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year
Mason Smith, Physiotherapist, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District
- Allied Health Assistant / Technician / Support Person of the Year
Dianne Redding, Allied Health Assistant, Hunter New England Local Health District
- Allied Health Research of the Year
Dr Sim Yee (Cindy) Tan, Dietitian Sydney Local Health District
- Allied Health Educator of the Year
Shirlee Maxwell, Dietitian, Hunter New England Local Health District
For more information, including a full list of finalists, visit 2025 NSW Health Excellence in Allied Health Awards.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"I want to congratulate the winners and all of the finalists for their contribution to our health system. Their hard work has had a positive impact on thousands of people and their communities, and I'm pleased to be able to help recognise them.
"It was an honour to present the award to NSW's Allied Health Professional of the Year Dr Kate Short whose clinical practice and research focuses on child development, prevention and intervention for children with communication disorders and those experiencing adversities."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson:
"Allied health professionals play an incredibly important role providing compassionate care for patients across a wide range of disciplines, including mental health.
"I want to thank all the finalists for their dedication to our health system and their leadership in driving the highest standards of care for our communities."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Medical Research David Harris:
"Allied health professionals do a lot of heavy lifting to make a significant difference in the health, recovery and well-being of so many people across the state.
"I congratulate all the winners and finalists and would particularly like to highlight the achievements of Dr Sim Yee (Cindy) Tan, a clinical dietitian with over 20 years' experience specialising in cancer nutrition. As well as her own important research work, Dr Tan has supervised more than 20 research student projects."
Quotes attributable to NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:
"I want to thank all of our nominees, finalists, and winners for the incredible work they do in a wide variety of roles, right across the NSW public health system.
"Allied health professionals play a crucial role in our healthcare system, and through their professionalism, kindness and compassion, enrich health in many ways."
Quotes attributable to NSW Health Chief Allied Health Officer Andrew Davison:
"These awards recognise that allied health professionals play a vital role in the public health system, working across 23 unique professions, they engage with people at all stages of their lives, from birth to aged care.
"I congratulate the winners and finalists for their achievements."
