The contribution of Tasmanian allied health professionals (AHPs) across the State was recognised last week at the Department of Health’s Allied Health Professions Day 2023 Awards.

There were 184 nominations made for staff across 15 different allied health disciplines. 32 awards were given across 7 different categories.

Acting Executive Director Statewide Allied Health Andrea Bucher said the breadth of nominations and awards given reflected the important role that AHPs play in caring for Tasmanians.

“There are more than 3000 allied health professionals across Tasmania working in dozens of different disciplines.

“The Allied Health Professions Day Awards is an important opportunity to stop and reflect on the immense difference our talented and caring allied health professionals make to the lives of Tasmanians every day.

“It is very exciting to have had so many positive nominations from such a broad range of professions and all regions”.

This was the first year nominations were open to staff outside the allied health professions, resulting in a record number of nominations received.

Half of the nominations came from staff outside the nominee's own discipline and a third for all nominations came from staff other than allied health including nursing, medical and hospital administrators.

The award winners were:

• Exceptional Patient Centred Care
  • Andree Innes, Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapy 
  • Diego Velasquez, Senior Social Worker (COVID@Home) 
  • Indigo Bates, Senior Occupational Therapist 
  • Jane Lockstone, Senior Physiotherapist - Acute/ICU 
  • Jolene May, Allied Health Clinical Lead - Integrated Discharge Team
  • Josh Palaya, Clinical Lead Podiatrist 
  • Katrina McDowall, Senior Social Worker
  • Sharon Luccisano, Diabetes Specialist Dietitian 
• Early Career Allied Health Professional
  • Erin Keegan, Occupational Therapist
  • Iris Carthy, Social Worker
  • Kelsey Brown, Speech Pathologist
  • Sarine Mani, Senior Physiotherapist AMU
• Leadership
  • Andree Innes, Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapy 
  • Annika Barry, Clinical Lead – Education and Support Speech Therapy
  • Jolene May, Allied Health Clinical Lead - Integrated Discharge Team
  • Josh Palaya, Clinical Lead Podiatrist 
  • Kiara Miniken-Smith, Senior Social Worker – ED & APU
  • Nadia Zalucki, Executive Director – Allied Health Services
  • Sarah Westgate, Senior Occupational Therapist
  • Sophie Clear, Senior Pscyhologist
• Change Champion
  • Jolene May, Allied Health Clinical Lead - Integrated Discharge Team
  • Sharon Luccisano, Diabetes Specialist Dietitian 
• National Influencer
  • Deidre Tranter, Clinical Lead – Mental Health Reform Program
  • Ianthe Boden, Physiotherapy
  • Jack Southwell, Social Work/Allied Health Complex Care
• Team Cultural Champion
  • Claire Corbett, Allied Health Lead - Medical and Cancer Services 
  • Diego Velasquez, Senior Social Worker (COVID@Home) 
  • Leah Reid, Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapy
  • Sophie Clear, Senior Pscyhologist
  • Tiffany Baker, Clinical Lead - Occupational Therapy 
• Allied Health Assistant Excellence
  • Olivia Woof, Social Work Assistant 
  • Siena Speers, Allied Health Assistant – Physiotherapy

Some of the award winners from Launceston General Hospital pictured L-R: Sarine Mani (Senior Physiotherapist AMU), Ianthe Boden (Physiotherapy), Nadia Zalucki (Executive Director – Allied Health Services), Indigo Bates (Senior Occupational Therapist), Jack Southwell (Social Work/Allied Health Complex Care)