Excellence in allied health

Winner

Prue Walker

Monash Children’s Hospital, Monash Health
Clayton, VIC

Prue Walker, a senior social worker at the Victorian Fetal Alcohol Service (VicFAS) at Monash Children’s Hospital, has significantly impacted the landscape of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Australia. 

Through her Churchill Fellowship, she gained insights from international FASD clinics, leading her to advocate for changes in Australia. She supported the establishment of VicFAS, the only statewide FASD assessment service in Victoria, and developed resources for professionals. 

Prue has conducted numerous workshops and contributed to key policy developments, including submissions to the Senate Inquiry into FASD. 

Her dedication earned her the 2023 Monash Health Excellence in Allied Health Practice award. Prue's work emphasises collaboration and perseverance, setting a benchmark for FASD awareness and support, and her initiatives have profoundly improved the lives of affected individuals and families.

Pradip Chandra Bhattacharjee

Monash Health
Melbourne, VIC

With over 30 years of experience in emergency, intensive care, and mental health, Pradip is recognised for his extensive work as a mental health clinician, Trauma Informed Yoga (TIY) and Mindfulness Facilitator at Monash Health.

Pradip develops and facilitates occupational therapy and TIY programs, focusing on sensory, life skills, and holistic self-care. His work positively impacts clients with trauma histories, and he has received positive feedback and professional recognition. He has interacted with diverse ethnic groups across countries, developing occupational therapy plans encompassing sensory, life skills, and self-care.

Pradip supervises Occupational Therapists, offers structured learning to students, and develops group and individual programs. His focus on maximising independence in psychiatric clients informs his assessments for NDIS funding, aiming to reduce relapses and alleviate public health system pressures. 

Pradip is multilingual and multicultural and uses healing methods like traditional and Trauma Informed Yoga alongside contemporary medicine.

He aims to expand TIY practice to benefit all affected by trauma, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and scalability.

Sally Harris

Bendigo Health
Bendigo, VIC

Sally has significantly impacted Allied Health at organisational, regional, and state levels, driven by her vision to improve rural and regional health. Growing up in rural Victoria, she has held key roles at Bendigo Health, including Chief Allied Health Officer and Chief Allied Health Information Officer. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sally oversaw the Loddon Mallee COVID positive pathways program to ensure that individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis were linked to appropriate medical care and support. From 2021 to 2023, the program provided direct support to over 25,000 people and helped to minimise the impact of COVID-related complications in the Loddon Mallee region.

Sally also oversaw the introduction and growth of the Better@Home programs, which helped provide care for people at or closer to home.

Sally's efforts have resulted in allied health workforce growth, increased student placements, and a strengthened research culture. Her leadership model and initiatives provide a replicable framework for other regions to support sustainable, high-quality healthcare delivery.

Winner

Western Kids Health Complex Care Team

Western Kids Health 
Shenton Park, WA

The Western Kids Health Complex Care Team is recognised for enhancing the lives of children and youth with complex and invisible conditions through a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based team approach. 

The team, including physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and dietitians, collaborates with esteemed professionals and community providers to deliver comprehensive care. The team has received international recognition as an Ehlers Danlos Centre of Excellence in 2023.

They identified the need for improved service delivery through patient and family consultations, leading to the creation of the Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology (POP) program. This program involves joint sessions & family involvement, ensuring holistic, integrated care and includes innovative initiatives like online educational modules and subsidised hydrotherapy classes. 

Since 2022, the POP program has supported 50 families, with families on average experiencing a 36% increase in quality of life. 

In the future, they hope to further enhance their programs and accessibility through data collaboration and expanded online resources for parents and professionals.

Jacana First 1000 Days Clinic, Monash Children’s Hospital

Monash Health
Clayton, VIC

The Jacana First 1000 Days Clinic is recognised for its pioneering work supporting infants and toddlers aged 0-3 years at risk of developmental challenges associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

The multidisciplinary clinical team includes paediatricians, an occupational therapist, a speech pathologist, a social worker, and an Aboriginal Health Nurse, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive care.

Since its inception, the clinic has assessed over 80 children, and worked together with their families to ensure that each child's developmental needs are identified early and facilitated transformative support that can positively influence their child’s life trajectory. Helping mothers have a healthy next pregnancy is also vitally important.

The clinic sets a standard for proactive care and, through research and collaboration, contributes to a broader understanding of FASD.

If successful, the team would use the prize money to develop a comprehensive website for the service, which would open up a better understanding for families and carers  of the support and services available for them and their child

PACE Program

Alpine Health & Beechworth Health Service
Alpine & Indigo Shire, VIC

The PACE Team is recognised for expanding its flexible cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program into Indigo Shire, with the aim of improving the quality of life for people with heart or lung conditions. 

Comprising experienced health professionals across five locations, they offer flexible, closer to home care tailored to individual needs. 

Designed to be community-based and closer to home, the teams offer a rolling 8-week program and diverse service delivery methods, including telehealth and home-based care. This flexible approach ensures accessibility amid challenges like bushfires and COVID-19.

The team has demonstrated significant impact by helping patients improve their quality of life and physical activity levels. Hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  (COPD) have more than halved in the Alpine Shire since commencement in 2018.

If successful, the team would like to purchase new exercise equipment and extend their library of pre-recorded education sessions.