Last night the 2023 Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards celebrated outstanding health workers and practitioners from across the Territory who offer a conduit between traditional health and western medical services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This year marks the 17th year of the Awards showcasing individuals who have made a significant contribution to the healthcare system across the Northern Territory.
The awards were presented to health professionals from Maningrida, Katherine, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin, with 10 award categories honouring students, specialists, and urban and remote health workers and practitioners.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners play a vital role in providing culturally safe and respectful health care across the NT to Aboriginal clients in urban, regional and remote areas, often as the first point of contact for people seeking health services.
These annual awards acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by the Territory’s highly valued Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners in the previous 12 months.
Since 2006, the awards have been held annually to recognise and acknowledge the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners make to their families, communities and the healthcare system across the NT.
The awards also recognise the efforts of our future workforce and emerging leaders, including NT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited course from within the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Training Package.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners employed across the NT were eligible for nomination.
The awards are held in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise, United Workers Union, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP).
The 2023 award recipients are:
Remote Aboriginal Health WorkerWinner: Eric Thomas, Wurli Wurlinjang Health Service, Big Rivers RegionRunner up: Fabian Smith, Malala Health Services, Maningrida, Top End RegionUrban Aboriginal Health WorkerWinner: Jeffery Lyons, NT Health, Top End Region Remote Aboriginal Health Practitioner Winner: Chrissy Joe-Kamara, Ti Tree Community Clinic, NT Health, Central Australia Region Winner: Dean Niehsner, Yuendumu Primary Health Care Centre, NT Health, Central Australia Region Runner up: Lorraine Johns Lorraine Johns, Katherine West Health Board, Big Rivers RegionUrban Aboriginal Health Practitioner Winner: Celia Harnas, NT Health, Big Rivers RegionRunner up: Leitisha Jackson, NT Health, Big Rivers RegionSpecialist Aboriginal Health PractitionerWinner: Clifford Plummer, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Barkly Region Winner: Rhonda O’Keefe, NT Health, Central Australia RegionRunner up: Shiraline Wurrawilya, NT Health, Top End RegionNew Aboriginal Health PractitionerWinner: Leon Gundersen, NT Health, Top End RegionAdvanced Studies (Student Award)Winner: Sherrelle Khan, Student of Batchelor Institute, NT Health, Central Australia RegionEmerging Aboriginal Health Practitioner (Student Award)Winner: Sharni Braun, Student of Batchelor Institute, Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, Barkly RegionRunner up: Camellia Benger, Student of Batchelor Institute, Danila Dilba Health Service, Top End RegionEmerging Aboriginal Health Worker (Student Award)Winner: Ronnita Gorey, Student of Batchelor Institute, Marthakal Homelands Health Service, East Arnhem Region Dr John Hargrave Honour Roll (Lifetime Achievement)Mr J Little, Ngaringman Elder, Katherine West Health Board, Big Rivers Region
