IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Awards

The purpose of the IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Awards is to recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Awards showcase the outstanding achievements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander allied health and provides identifiable allied health role models to inspire all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to consider and pursue a career in allied health.

For more information please contact amanda@iaha.com.au

Congratulations to the 2024 IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Award Winners

Vicki McKenna

Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

The Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Yawuru and Bunuba Jarndu, Aunty Vicki McKenna, in recognition of her cultural and professional leadership and advocacy in social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention, including as the Head of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre.

Proudly sponsored by Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA).

 

Sueanne Gola

Allied Health Professional of the Year Award

Kamilaroi Clinical Psychologist, Sueanne Gola, received the 2024 Allied Health Professional of the Year Award for her dedication to culturally responsive care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people within mainstream services and efforts to address intergenerational trauma.

Proudly sponsored by HESTA.

 

 

Jesse Aldridge

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year Award

Jesse Aldridge is a Wandiwondian Yuin man, male role model, and public health graduate who returned to study optometry and contribute to better vision health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Proudly sponsored by SARRAH.

 

 

 

Lia Gumbula

2024 Excellence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Assistant Workforce Award

Lia Gumbala is a Yol?u (Gupapuyngu / Birrkili Garawirrtja) woman who was born and raised in Darwin and former IAHA NT Aboriginal Health Academy trainee completing the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance. Since completing her traineeship Lia is now working in a permanent AHA role at Royal Darwin Hospital and mentoring the next generation of trainees in the program.

Proudly sponsored by SARRAH.

 

 

Belle Selkirk

2024 Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness Award

Noongar woman and Clinical Psychologist Belle Selkirk has long advocated for real and meaningful change, at the interpersonal, service and system level, from their time as a student through to their current leadership in psychology.

Proudly sponsored by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia.

 

 

 

Kellie Gleeson

2024 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Local Champion Award

Local Champion Kellie Gleeson is a Worimi Woman, Oral Health Therapist, Clinical Educator and Course Coordinator at the University of Newcastle. In addition to her work roles, Kellie is a volunteer, undertakes oral health promotion in the community controlled sector, and is actively working to support the future oral health workforce.

Proudly sponsored by Health Workforce Queensland.

 

 

Dr Elizabeth McEntyre

2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Excellence in Research Award

Dr Elizabeth McEntyre is a Worimi and Wonnarua woman and Doctor of Social Work and Criminology. An established research consultant, an accredited Mental Health Social Worker in disability and criminal justice, and a member of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal, Dr McEntyre’s career has demonstrated leadership across a range of areas including in criminal justice, mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, research and Aboriginal ageing and aged care.

Proudly sponsored by Australian Catholic University.

Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

Awarded to an IAHA Member (Full or Associate) for long standing commitment in their profession and in improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Craig Dukes Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award will be nominated and selected by the IAHA Board of Directors and the IAHA Awards selection panel.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Professional of the Year

Awarded to a current IAHA Full Member (Graduate) who has graduated from an allied health degree with over 5 years experience in their field, who demonstrates cultural responsiveness, dedication, and a positive contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through their work in health or related sectors and/or their profession and/or their community.

 

 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Early Career Professional of the Year

Awarded to a current IAHA Full Member (Graduate) who has graduated from an allied health degree within the past 5 years, who demonstrates cultural responsiveness, dedication, and a positive contribution to their own development and to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through their works in health or related sectors and/or their profession and/or their community.

 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Student of the Year

Awarded to a current IAHA Full Member (Student) enrolled in an allied health degree who demonstrates leadership capabilities, a commitment to their studies, work and/or personal development, and is an inspirational role model or mentor to the current and future workforce.

 

Excellence in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Allied Health Assistant Workforce

Awarded to a current IAHA Full or Associate Member who demonstrates commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, showing leadership, championing culturally safe and responsive care and collaborative working partnerships.

 

Excellence in Cultural Responsiveness

Awarded to a current IAHA Associate Member (Individual or Corporate) who demonstrates a commitment and contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They demonstrate culturally responsive action in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development, innovation in the delivery of services/programs/initiatives, and leadership in influencing change.

 

 

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Local Champion

Awarded to a current IAHA Individual member who demonstrates a commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, working with communities in a strengths based way, championing our ways of working, ways of knowing, being and doing, cultural determinants of health and/or community development approaches. This award recognises a member who is a local inspirational cultural and professional role model or mentor.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Excellence in Research

Awarded to a current IAHA individual member who is an emerging or established researcher that demonstrates inclusive research partnerships and ethical practice in working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and organisations. This award recognises a member who is making a significant contribution to allied health and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, demonstrating the principles of knowledge translation, data sovereignty and Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing in their works.