A Perth audiologist who created two major innovations – paediatric and advanced scope registries – to help patients in her first year of practise is Western Australia’s Early Career Allied Health Professional of the Year for 2025.
Ms Caris Bogdanov from Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group has worked at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth for four years, initially as a research assistant and an intern audiologist then as an audiologist for the past two years.
She was among 11 allied health professionals and teams who were recognised for their “outstanding contributions to patient care” at the second annual WA Excellence in Allied Health Awards on 14 October at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
“I was completely surprised but also deeply moved – I truly didn’t expect to receive this recognition,” Bogdanov told HPA. “The nomination itself was a huge honour, and it meant so much to know that colleagues and patients had taken the time to acknowledge my work and contributions.
“Being recognised as a finalist alongside such talented early-career professionals in allied health was incredibly inspiring, especially given the many outstanding individuals across the field. To then be selected for the award was completely unexpected, yet both humbling and uplifting, and a reassuring reminder of the value of the work we do every day.”
Ms Meredith Hammat, WA Health and Mental Health Minister, said it was a privilege for the WA Government to support the awards which highlighted the exceptional contributions of allied health professionals statewide.
The early career award, supported by North Metropolitan Health Service, was for nominees who had shown exceptional potential during their first two years of practice.
The awards program document said Bogdanov had demonstrated passion and commitment in providing quality, safe and compassionate care to patients and their family/caregivers.
“Caris is an early-career audiologist whose work blends clinical rigour with deep compassion,” the awards document stated.
Paediatric and advanced scope registries
In her first year, she helped create two major innovations – the Paediatric Hearing Registry and the Advanced Scope Audiology Registry.
Both were now improving care across the South Metropolitan Health Service.
The Paediatric Hearing Registry supports tracking for more than 1,000 children, improving continuity of care and enabling earlier, more coordinated interventions.
The Advanced Scope Registry, implemented across South, East, and North Metropolitan Health Services, features a live dashboard that tracks referral sources, clinical outcomes, and waiting times. This provides real-time data to inform service planning and improve patient flow.
“Both registries are the result of a collaborative effort closely tied to ongoing research and quality improvement projects,” Bogdanov said. “The idea originated from a shared recognition of the need for an efficient, standardised way to track patient outcomes and service activity across sites.
“To address this, we designed and developed a data management system that began as a small-scale project and evolved into a comprehensive clinical tool. This tool enables hearing healthcare professionals and leaders to systematically monitor patient management, treatment outcomes and safe service delivery.”
To reach this stage, extensive work on data design, clinical alignment, and system usability was required, with countless hours invested by the project team, she said.
Collaboration with the Statewide Tertiary Audiology team, key stakeholders, including consumer representatives, and other collaborators ensured the registry was practical and consistent with clinical workflows, facilitating streamlined implementation.
“These projects are ongoing, but so far, have proven highly valuable in standardising data collection, supporting effective service coordination, and driving quality improvement in clinical practice – ultimately contributing to better outcomes in hearing and ear health management,” she said.
She said the initial development of the Paediatric Registry was partially funded by the Channel 7 Telethon Trust 2023 Grant, and supported by the SMHS executive team, whose ongoing commitment to fostering innovation had been crucial to the work.
Bogdanov is also a final-year PhD student under the supervision of audiologist, Associate Professor Dayse Távora–Vieira. Her most recent project explores how structured aural rehabilitation for adult cochlear implant users can enhance not only listening abilities using their devices, but also their confidence, social connection, and overall quality of life.
“Caris collaborates across disciplines with ease, bringing people together with clarity and warmth,” the awards document stated. “Her contributions to quality audits, mentoring of graduates, and support for national grant applications show a maturity and professionalism that far exceed her early career stage.”
She said audiology was incredibly rewarding, and there was always something new to learn, which made it a fulfilling career.
“This role wouldn’t be the same without the amazing Statewide Tertiary Audiology team I work alongside every day,” Bogdanov said.
“I wouldn’t have been in a position to receive this award without their guidance and support, for which I’m truly grateful. I feel very fortunate to be part of a team that fosters such a positive and collaborative environment, and I continue to be inspired by their optimistic approach to implementing research-driven changes and evidence-based practices.”
She was also thankful to the patients and participants who continually reminded her of the real, meaningful impact the work can have.
Research award
A/Prof Távora-Vieira was also a finalist in the Allied Health Team of the Year Award. She was among 24 people in the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) and Curtin (University) Allied Health Research Unit nominated for the team award.
The unit focuses on addressing research demands of the SMHS community. It has provided opportunities for more than 150 SMHS allied health staff across nine professions and all SMHS sites to engage in research.
Director of the unit, physiotherapist Associate Professor Vin Cavalheri, received the Allied Health Leader of the Year award for developing and implementing the unit’s demand-driven research strategy which has become a model locally, nationally and internationally for building allied health research capacity and culture.
Hammat said allied health professionals improved lives, restored function, and promoted wellbeing in all patients.
“These awards celebrate the innovation, compassion, and teamwork of allied health workers, who support the delivery of exceptional health care in Western Australia,” she said.
“I thank all allied health professionals for their dedication to patient care and their commitment to improving health outcomes for Western Australians.”
The announcement coincided with Allied Health Professions Day, an annual global event celebrating the contribution of allied health professionals across more than 30 professions.
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) said the day was an opportunity to recognise the vital role of allied health professionals across Australia – “a diverse and skilled workforce delivering evidence-based, person-centred and multidisciplinary care that strengthens every part of our health system”.
Allied health is the second largest health workforce in Australia, and brings essential expertise to prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, AHPA said.
