Allied health professionals have been recognised for the excellent care they provide across the region at this year’s ACT Allied Health Excellence Awards.
Minister for Health Dr Marisa Paterson congratulated the winners and thanked them for driving improvements in the health and wellbeing of our communities and our systems.
“Allied health professionals are an essential part of our health system, with thousands working in the ACT across more than 40 disciplines.”
“Over our lifetimes nearly everyone will engage with an allied health professional at some stage. The ACT is fortunate to have a highly skilled allied health workforce whose expertise supports people at every stage of their health journey, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.”
“The calibre of both winners and nominees this year demonstrates the depth of talent in our allied health workforce. These individuals and teams are shaping better health outcomes and improving lives.”
Allied health professionals include physiotherapists, environmental scientists, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, speech pathologists, dietitians, audiologists, pharmacists and podiatrists, and many more, working in hospitals, laboratories, community, private practices, mental health and justice services, schools, aged care and disability services.
There were more than 60 nominations across 9 categories this year, with the Allied Health Professional of the Year chosen from category winners.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Allied Health Officer, Adj Assoc Professor Dr Sue Fitzpatrick:
“The ACT Allied Health Excellence Awards celebrate the expertise, leadership and dedication of a workforce that is central to the health and wellbeing of our community.
“Allied health professionals improve every stage of life. They support, rehabilitate, educate, empower and advance the lives of all Canberrans.
“These awards recognise individuals and teams whose innovation, collaboration and commitment to excellence are improving our lives every day and helping to build a stronger, more responsive health system for the future.”
The 2026 Allied Health Excellence Awards winners are:
Dr Mary Bushell, University of Canberra: Allied Health Professional of the Year and Allied Health Research Excellence
- Mary developed and implemented education materials and policies that have been adopted nationwide and produced internationally recognised publications and essential clinical tools. Mary, a pharmacist, academic and researcher, has transformed pharmacy education and set new benchmarks. She has led research on Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) that addresses service gaps and improves health literacy and informed decision-making.
Lachlan Chadwick, Canberra Health Services (CHS): Allied Health Assistant Excellence
- Allied health assistant Lachlan used non-stigmatising language and placed the dignity and autonomy of people living with dementia at the centre of each interaction. He embraced the concept of dementia rehabilitation and translated emerging evidence into meaningful practice during the Sustainable Personalised Interventions for Cognition, Care and Engagement (SPICE) at Home pilot.
Fran Freeman, CHS: Consumer Recognition Award
- Audiologist Fran has medically and emotionally supported consumers with her combination of technical expertise and deep compassion. Her extraordinary patience and flexibility, responsiveness and commitment to quality care and innovative solutions profoundly impacted the wellbeing of those in her care.
Lucy Vandergugten, CHS: Allied Health Early Career Excellence
- Speech pathologist Lucy advocated for her patients in case conferences and in contexts where complex information needs to be delivered clearly. She empowered clients to make informed decisions and has been instrumental in building a supportive work environment.
Christopher Bacchus, Southside Physio Canberra: Allied Health Education Excellence
- Physiotherapist Christopher transformed his organisation’s educational culture. He has established a new-graduate mentoring program and delivers postgraduate-level sessions to more than 50 clinicians a week, reviewing emerging research and translating complex evidence into clinical application.
Sheri Davis-Hall, Yerrabi Yurwang Health Hub: Excellence in Provision of Services to Improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
- Social worker Sheri has recognised that the people she works with are experts in their own lives. Sheri challenged systems that create barriers and operates from a deep understanding that culture, identity, and connection are at the heart of wellbeing.
Sarah Toohey, CHS: Allied Health Management and Leadership Excellence
- Social worker Sarah worked to create a culture where staff members are valued for their unique contributions. This was highlighted when Sarah empowered staff to raise concerns in open forums on organisational change. She provided dedicated, protected time for staff wellbeing through initiatives such as Rest & Reset afternoons, is a trusted mentor and ethical manager.
Michael Irvine, Southside Physio Canberra, Allied Health Practice Excellence
- Physiotherapist Michael has supported men with some of the most sensitive and confronting health issues, such as prostate cancer and urinary incontinence. Michael has created a safe environment though his PROST! strength and pelvic-floor classes and is recognised for his inclusive, individualised and non-judgemental approach.
Prosthetics and Orthotics Team, Momentum Therapy: Allied Health Team Excellence
- The Momentum Therapy team works with those ranging in age from three months old to adults in their nineties, including people living with severe disability and chronic illness and elite Paralympic athletes. The team runs regular outreach clinics across southern NSW to boost equitable access to prosthetic and orthotic quality care. It supports and nurtures clinicians, students and early-career practitioners.
