Country allied health professionals excel in awards

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is proud to congratulate Denise Lou – winner at this year’s WA Excellence in Allied Health Awards.

Close to 1,000 allied health professionals work across country WA as part of multidisciplinary teams. Each plays an important part in achieving positive health outcomes for country patients.

At the awards ceremony in Perth last night, Senior Podiatrist Denise Lou was named Allied Health Professional of the Year (Rural) for her work supporting patients in Kununurra’s high risk foot clinic.

Denise takes a collaborative approach to patient-centred care, working with nursing and home care teams to streamline access to services. Denise is known for going above and beyond for her patients, making sure they feel fully informed and supported while navigating the health system.

Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said it was an outstanding feat to have dedicated allied health professionals recognised for the inaugural awards.

“The WA Excellence in Allied Health Awards celebrate the enormous contribution allied health teams make to the health and wellbeing of communities – something we know to be particularly true in country WA,” he said.

“I’m proud to see country clinicians recognised for their dedication to the communities in which they live and work.”

Congratulations to Dimple Bathla, Senior Mental Health Professional at the Midwest Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, who was also a finalist for Allied Health Professional of the Year (Rural).

A longstanding member of our Geraldton team, Dimple is a valuable resource for young people and their families in the Midwest.

Last night’s ceremony also included a lifetime achievement award, with Director Allied Health Suzanne Spitz one of this year’s nominees. 

Suzanne grew up in the country and began her career as a speech pathologist in Kalgoorlie in 1992. It was her stint in the Goldfields that fuelled a lifelong passion for rural and remote health.   

Now, as Director Allied Health, Suzanne continues her work to provide support, mentorship, education and leadership to allied health teams. She is a driving force behind important initiatives like the Transition to Practice Graduate Program.