NBMLHD 2024 Together Allied Health Awards

With a workforce spanning 23 professions, our allied health colleagues provide essential health care and professional support to communities at all stages of life.

Winners of the awards were announced in a special ceremony presentation on Monday 14 October.

Congratulations to:

Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year

Mason Smith

Mason has been a valued member of the team for over six years. He began as an Aboriginal Allied Health Assistant Trainee, progressed to a Physiotherapy Cadet, and completed his degree with outstanding results.

After successfully finishing his New Graduate year at Nepean Hospital, he is now being appointed to a part-time position to pursue his Master's degree at Western Sydney University.

Mason is deeply passionate about improving the health of our Aboriginal population and is dedicated to creating a culturally safe environment for both staff and patients.

Allied Health Assistant/Technician/Support Person of the Year

Melanie Skoreyko

Melanie has been a dedicated member of the StEPS team for the past decade, demonstrating unwavering passion for vision screening and ensuring children receive the care they need. Her commitment to her work is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond.

Melanie naturally takes on a leadership role within the team, coordinating schedules, booking venues and clinics, and ensuring operations run smoothly. She is adaptable in her management of administrative tasks and volunteering extra hours and days to maintain service quality.

She consistently steps up to address any needs within the team, demonstrating kindness and consideration for her colleagues.

Allied Health Early Career Person the of Year

Eilis Scott

Eilis consistently exceeds expectations for her experience level and actively seeks opportunities for professional development. She has earned praise from patients, families, and colleagues for her strong work ethic and relationship-building skills.

Elis is a respected member of the social work, allied health, and multidisciplinary teams. She encourages growth by fostering a culture of continuous learning, particularly supporting new graduate social workers and leading by example.

Elis embraces challenges by developing effective therapeutic counselling approaches that positively impact patients' health journeys.

Eilis is an invaluable asset to the team and contributes to a positive hospital culture despite being early in her career.

Allied Health Educator of the Year

Ryan Evans

Ryan is deeply committed to learning and teaching, driven by a passion for staying current with the latest evidence and providing exceptional care to his patients. His enthusiasm for sharing knowledge inspires students, new graduates, and junior staff to pursue their own learning journeys.

Ryan fosters a culture of professionalism, encouraging openness about what they don’t know and adaptability in incorporating new evidence into practice.

Recently, he was honoured with the NSW Perrot-Follett Award, recognising his significant contributions to the NSW New Graduate Program.

Allied Heath Leader of the Year

Jessica Skene

Jessica deserves recognition for her significant impact on the Occupational Therapy Department through her leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to team support.

She prioritises education and fosters a positive workplace culture, embodying the facility's core values.

As Acute Team Leader, she has boosted morale, encouraged collaboration, and improved staff satisfaction by actively listening, advocating for her team, and celebrating achievements.

Jessica creates a safe environment that promotes growth and resource sharing, ensuring all team members feel valued and empowered.

Allied Heath Leader of the Year Senior

James Brown

James consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership, earning the respect of both staff and senior leaders within the Drug and Alcohol service. He prioritises staff well-being and clearly communicates service goals, encouraging team members to develop their skills. For instance, he supported a staff member’s interest in leadership by facilitating access to relevant courses.

As a caring leader, James shows genuine compassion for consumers and promotes evidence-based interventions for optimal outcomes. He embodies a scientist-practitioner model, often prioritising staff professional development over his own.

A proud psychologist, he actively advocates for his discipline at all levels.

Allied Health Professional of the Year

Helen Levingston

Helen is an exemplary professional who embodies ethical, autonomous, and collaborative practice. As a cornerstone of the Sexual Assault Service, she is reliable, supportive, and a source of positivity. Despite her full-time responsibilities, she plays a key role in the 24/7 crisis service and has led two significant improvement projects.

Helen is also a district-wide educator, field supervisor, and respected leader in trauma-informed care. She manages her complex duties with exceptional organisation, time management, and a commitment to professional wellbeing, consistently leaving the office on time.

Humble and intrinsically motivated, Helen focuses on developing her clinical practice and supporting colleagues, making her a deserving winner for the Allied Health Professional of the Year award.

Allied Health Researcher of the Year

Dr Denise Milicevic

Dr. Denise Milicevic has made significant contributions to research within NSW Health while simultaneously serving in a clinical leadership role. Her work has fostered collaborations with institutions like the University of Sydney, UTS, and the University of Wollongong.

With an h-index of 16, she exemplifies strong research leadership in psychology and mental health services. Denise has co-supervised a PhD, guided two Masters and two Honours students, and actively supports colleagues across disciplines, serving on the NBMLHD Mental Health Service research committee.

Her research is consumer-focused, driven by her clinical psychology training, and emphasises consumer engagement. This commitment ensures her studies are not only relevant but also implementable in health service delivery. Notable areas of her research include interventions for Hoarding Disorder, anxiety disorders, and telehealth.

Elevating the Human Experience Team Award

Rehab Revival

Rehab Revival’s aim was to improve patient & staff experience and efficiency to assist with meeting hospital demand and activity targets. This project utilised a highly collaborative and inclusive team-based approach, recognising the important role of everyone in the hospital, not just clinical staff, in achieving their aims.

The project reduced average waiting time for a rehabilitation bed from 40.8 to 15.8 days average length of stay in a rehabilitation bed from 12.3 to 9.1 days. The number of patients discharged from rehabilitation each month has more than doubled from 13 to 27, creating additional capacity for more patients.

The project contributes to NSW Health’s goal of creating a more sustainable health system.