ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris MLA with Donald McLean, 2019 Allied Health Professional of the Year
The Allied Health Excellence Awards for 2019 have been presented with health professionals celebrated for their work for the Canberra community.
The 2019 Allied Health Professional of the Year is Medical Physicist, Donald McLean, honoured for his research into safe levels of radiation dosage.
Announcing the awards, Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris (pictured) said Dr McLean’s research into analysing, monitoring and optimising the use of X-ray radiation in breast cancer imaging and CT diagnostic scanning procedures, went to the heart of the contribution allied health professionals made to the Territory’s high-quality health care.
“These awards recognise the ongoing determination of health professionals to provide the best possible care to the Canberra community, and Dr McLean’s work exemplifies what it takes to make a significant difference to health care services,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“Dr McLean has also been recognised for providing ongoing mentoring, support and contribution to the best practice and ethical research in relation to safe levels of radiation dosage.”
She said allied health professionals had a key role in the delivery of a quality health service.
“It’s a workforce that is enhancing and changing health services and patients’ experiences of the health system, all for the better, with 34 distinct professions in the ACT public health sector,” the Minister said.
Award winners across all categories.
Allied Health Assistant Excellence: Veronique Clyde, Allied Health Assistant, Canberra Health Services;
Allied Health Clinical Excellence: Debra Harris, Clinical Psychologist, Canberra Health Services:
Allied Health Early Career Excellence: Michael Wilkinson, Physiotherapist, Canberra Health Services;
Allied Health Education Excellence: Katie Cole, Occupational Therapy Clinical Educator, Canberra Health Services.
Allied Health Management and Leadership Excellence: Kerrie Andriolo, Chief Scientist – Haematology, Canberra Health Services;
Allied Health Research Excellence: Donald McLean, Principal Medical Physics Specialist, Canberra Health Services;
Allied Health Team Excellence: Louise Barrett and Yu-Lung Chan, Neuropsychologists, Psychology and Counselling Team, Canberra Health Services.
Allied Health Excellence in Provision of Services to Improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing: Shien Ee Tan, Tamara Shirvington, Nicola Graham, Pip Golley, Rebecca Aherne, Women, Youth and Children, Dieticians, Canberra Health Services.
