We are the champions! Western Sydney staff clean up at NSW Allied Health Awards

WSLHD COVID-19 vaccination lead Megan Byrne and WSLHD physiotherapist Cameron Edwards have won two of six award categories at the inaugural NSW Excellence in Allied Health Awards.

Megan won Allied Health Leader of the Year and Cameron won Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year.

This is the first year NSW Excellence in Allied Health Awards have been hosted with 24 finalists across the six categories:
• Allied Health Professional of the Year
• Aboriginal Allied Health Professional of the Year
• Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year
• Allied Health Assistant or Technician of the Year
• Allied Health Educator or Researcher of the Year
• Allied Health Leader of the Year.

“I am incredibly proud of these two amazing individuals,” said WSLHD Allied Health director Jacquie Dominish.

“Both Cameron and Megan are quiet but high achievers and for them to be recognised at the NSW Health level is well deserved.”

Coined a “champion of Qudos”, Megan was responsible for the flow of people through the Vaccination Centre.

In 2021, Megan stepped away from her role as head of dietetics at Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital to run the Blacktown Hospital Vaccination Clinic.

She said she appreciates the “wealth of experience” brought to the operation by the staff who ran the Westmead Hospital vaccination hub – the first clinic in western Sydney that has since relocated to Qudos Bank Arena.

“I am so pleased that Megan was provided with the opportunity to step up and show her true leadership capability as operations director at Qudos Bank Arena, demonstrating the agility and adaptability of allied health as strong, efficient and effective leaders,” Jacquie said.

In 2021, physiotherapist Cameron underwent training to administer COVID-19 vaccinations, demonstrating exceptional commitment and compassionate care to advocate for culturally appropriate health care of Aboriginal peoples and communities.

“Cameron has been instrumental in attracting and supporting Aboriginal allied health students, cadets and staff to western Sydney,” Jacquie said.

“He has been a great source of support and advice to the Allied Health executive team on our journey to be more culturally responsive in WSLHD.”

The Excellence in Allied Health Awards aim to promote and recognise the high-quality work of allied health professionals, and their support staff within NSW Health.

A record of the event livestream is available here.