Ms Katrina Rohr1
1Western NSW Local Health District, Bathurst, Australia
Biography:
Katrina is the coordinator for Western NSW Local Health District's innovative Allied Health Early Accelerated Development (AHEAD) Program (formerly the Allied Health Rural Graduate Program). She is passionate about facilitating a positive and supported experience for early career allied health professionals as they enter the workforce and contribute to the provision of world class rural healthcare. Katrina is a speech pathologist by background and has worked in various roles including community health, schools, and research. She was an associate investigator on the Translational Research Grants Scheme (TRGS) project titled, “Waiting for speech pathology: Device vs. advice”.
Abstract:
The Allied Health Early Accelerated Development (AHEAD) Program (formerly the Allied Health Rural Graduate Program) began in 2023 as an innovative model aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of allied health professionals in Western NSW Local Health District. This structured and supportive two-year program assists recent graduates transition to the workplace and build professional capability.
In its first year, 15 graduates from five disciplines – dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, and speech pathology – joined the program in Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo. The program demonstrated positive participant experience, growth in workforce capability, and an 80% retention rate in its inaugural year.
The AHEAD Program has since expanded to support over 80 allied health early career professionals across nine disciplines (including pharmacy, psychology, radiation therapy, and radiography) at seven District sites. The program is recognised as a distinctive initiative in NSW Health and was the recipient of the NSW Health Secretary's Award in 2024.
This presentation will outline the AHEAD Program and education, networking, and supports provided to early career allied health professionals. It will also discuss program evaluation, learnings, and opportunities as the AHEAD Program moves forward as an embedded District model in 2025.