ATMS announce finalists for the 2026 Natural Medicine Awards
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- ATMS announce finalists for the 2026 Natural Medicine Awards
ATMS extends huge congratulations to all the finalists in our annual Natural Medicine Awards!
Twelve finalists have been selected from the natural therapies sector for Practitioner of the Year, Clinic of the Year, Lecturer of the Year and Student of the Year. All nominees demonstrated excellence in their contributions to their modalities, industry, and overall commitment to the advancement of the health of the Australian community.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner, on Saturday 21st November at Sydney Masonic Centre | 66 Goulburn Street Sydney NSW 2000
Tickets are limited and priority is provided to finalists and their network. Please click here to purchase a ticket.
Special thanks to everyone who entered or nominated in the awards. We had an impressive volume of submissions this year, and we applaud the efforts of every single entrant for their contribution to natural medicine in Australia.
We are thrilled to introduce the 2026 finalists for the ATMS Natural Medicine Awards!
Practitioner of the Year Finalists
Practitioner Bio’s
Camilla Whishaw BHSc (Nat) is a highly respected equine naturopath, clinical nutritionist and herbalist, who consults with leading horse breeders, trainers, riders, owners and equine hospitals across Australia and internationally. With a lifelong involvement in the horse industry, Camilla combines practical horse experience with advanced clinical training. She is passionate about solving challenging equine health conditions through holistically evaluating horses and employing targeted dietary, nutraceutical, western herbal medicine and management practices. Camilla works with a wide range of equine health conditions, with particular expertise in gastrointestinal and immune dysfunction, neurological conditions, fertility in mares and stallions, and behavioural challenges.
Her groundbreaking research into the successful treatment of equine inflammatory bowel disease has been presented and published internationally. Camilla regularly lectures and presents both in Australia and internationally on equine health, nutrition, supplementation and the role of nutraceuticals and herbal medicine in equine veterinary practice.
Through her clinical work, research and education, Camilla helps horse owners and professionals better understand the systemic role of nutrition, management practices and gut health in equine performance, behaviour and long-term wellbeing.
Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/optimequine/
Instagram handle is @optimequine
Angela Sciberras is an experienced Neuro Linguistic Kinesiologist, Neuro Trainer and Resolve Beyond Neurology Practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience and thousands of client consultations.
Her extensive qualifications include Diplomas in Kinesiology and Neuro Training, an Advanced Diploma in Resolve Beyond Neurology, a Diploma of Clinical Science of Biochemic Therapy, and qualifications in Iridology. She also holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Ethnomusicology and is a qualified therapeutic musician specialising in palliative care.
Angela has contributed articles to publications of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) and Australian Kinesiology Association (AKA), reflecting her commitment to advancing professional knowledge, clinical understanding and evidence-informed practice within complementary healthcare.
Recognised as an ATMS Fellow in 2026, Angela was Highly Commended in the 2022 ATMS Practitioner of the Year Awards and is a finalist again in 2026.
Dedicated to lifelong learning, professional excellence and mentorship, Angela is passionate about supporting the next generation of practitioners while continuing to serve her community through her clinic in Jordan Springs, Western Sydney
IG @resolve_beyondkinesiology
website is: angelasciberras.com
FB: @resolve_beyondkinesiology
For more than 30 years, Dr Polly Wilkie has dedicated her career to integrative healthcare, bringing together expertise in Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Nutrition and Paediatric Neurodevelopment. As Director of Care Clinic Bondi Junction, she leads a multidisciplinary practice renowned for its whole-person, family centred approach to care and commitment to women’s and children’s health.
Polly is passionate about helping families navigate complex health challenges addressing the physical, nutritional and emotional factors that influence wellbeing. Her special interests include fertility, pregnancy, paediatric development, gut and brain health, stress management, and the gut-brain-neurological connection.
A respected speaker, writer, mentor and ATMS Natural Medicine Week Ambassador, Polly regularly presents at national and international conferences and was recognised as the 2020 ATMS Highly Commended Practitioner of the Year. She remains deeply committed to empowering families and advancing collaborative, evidence-informed natural healthcare.
website URL: https://careclinic.info/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/careclinicbondi/
Clinic of the Year Finalists
Nourishing Apothecary is an Australian naturopathic clinic dedicated to raising the standard of personalised, evidence-informed healthcare.
Founded by naturopath and Clinical Director Jaime Chew, the clinic has grown significantly since opening its Liverpool premises in August 2024, now bringing together eight naturopaths specialising in fertility, women’s health, hormonal conditions, digestive health and children’s wellbeing.
Offering in-person consultations in Liverpool, Sydney, and online Australia-wide, Nourishing Apothecary combines comprehensive clinical assessments, pathology interpretation and individualised treatment strategies to deliver personalised, patient-centred care.
Beyond consultations, the clinic is committed to making quality health education accessible through its podcast, YouTube channel and social media platforms, empowering Australians to better understand their health and make informed decisions about their care.
Instagram and facebook handles are the same @nourishingapothecary
“Founded by remedial massage therapist Ellie Hofland in 2016, White Fox Massage & Wellness is a women-owned clinic in Lawson, in the Blue Mountains. White Fox supports more than 800 returning clients each year through remedial and pregnancy massage, holistic facial treatments, and its signature Buccal & Face Sculpting Experience.
After ten years and more than 1,600 five-star reviews, White Fox is known for skilled treatment, thoughtful care and a loyal client community that spans multiple pregnancies, partners and families.
The clinic remains grounded in the philosophy on which it was built: touch, trust and helping every client feel genuinely cared for.”
Instagram: @whitefoxmassage
Facebook: @Whitefoxmassage
Lecturer of the Year
Vanessa Hitch is a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and educator with more than 20 years’ experience in clinical practice and natural medicine education across Australia and New Zealand. She holds a Master of Human Nutrition and currently works as a Learning Facilitator and Student Clinic Supervisor at Torrens University Australia. Her teaching experience includes Nature Care College, the College of Complementary Medicine, Wellpark College and South Pacific College of Natural Therapies, alongside practitioner seminars and workshops. Vanessa’s clinical interests include women’s health, particularly menopause, metabolic health and healthy ageing. An ATMS member for over 25 years, she is committed to helping students and practitioners translate research into thoughtful, practical clinical care.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-hitch-24992126/?isSelfProfile=true
With 15 years of experience as a TCM practitioner, I have recently transitioned into lecturing, a role I find deeply rewarding. My passions include Chinese medicine, martial arts, Qi Gong, surfing and music, which I believe share a common thread of connection, balance and continual growth. I hope to draw on these experiences to inspire and support future TCM practitioners as they explore the broader possibilities of the profession. One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey is connecting with like-minded people to share knowledge, learn and evolve together. Through students, clients and fellow professionals, I am continually reminded that the study and practice of Chinese medicine is a lifelong journey of discovery—a rare gift that keeps on giving. https://www.facebook.com/share/1EwiHytxnB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Sally is passionate about Nutrition and Homoeopathy, having graduated in 2009. Her history shows a good example of the various different roles open to complementary medicine health professionals. Her experience includes working in a retail health food store, practising within a health resort, and she currently operates a cyber clinic while travelling around Australia. She has been teaching since 2011 both in the classroom and online environment.
Sally’s special interests are in Mental Health and supporting the Endocrine System. As she says, hormones rule our emotional and mental state, so food must be medicine. She says the most rewarding aspects of this industry are being able to help someone that is unwell and watching students become the shining lights needed within our profession. Her vision is to continue to pass on her knowledge to both patients and students through clinics, classes and workshops.
Student of the Year Finalists
Sarah is a naturopath practising at Lakeside Wellness in Belconnen, Canberra, and a recent graduate of Switch on Health. Her background spans radiation therapy, health science, and human nutrition. After stepping away from her career to raise her two daughters, Sarah reconnected with her early interest in natural medicine and developed a deeper appreciation for holistic health.
Committed to lifelong learning, Sarah is passionate about integrating traditional naturopathic principles with contemporary evidence to support long-term wellbeing. Her clinical approach incorporates whole-food, plant-forward nutrition, herbal medicine, and sustainable lifestyle practices. Sarah’s goal is to empower people to take an active role in their health by sharing knowledge, fostering understanding, and supporting them on their journey towards wellness.
Facebook: @sarahdavenportnaturopath
Teresa Carbone is a compassionate Nutritional & Naturopath Medicine student in the foundational stage of her studies across Torrens University and the University of Canberra. She brings the strategic insights of a 34-year career in the Australian Public Service (APS) alongside 15 years of specialized tea expertise to her academic work. Having travelled directly to international plantations to master traditional tea chemistry, Teresa thoughtfully transforms chronic health challenges into supportive wellness concepts. With a deep interest in cellular healing and nutrigenetics, her standout coursework includes an innovative Neuro-Phyto Lozenge bi-portal delivery system utilizing a Liu Bao fermented dark tea base and Taraxacum officinale to stimulate short chain fatty acid production and downregulate the HPA Axis, alongside a creative 21-Day Salt Reset concept. with plans for a future 12-month micronutrient desk calendar.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cucina_cittadina/
Olivia is a naturopathy student, mum of four boys, and passionate advocate for children’s and family health. Born at just 29 weeks, Olivia spent her first 10 years of her life in and out of hospitals, which inspired her lifelong desire to help others, particularly children. Throughout her studies, she navigated significant challenges, including her husband’s cancer diagnosis, her own serious illness, surgery, and welcoming a premature baby, while running her own business. Despite these obstacles, she remained committed to her studies. Olivia serves as a student representative on the Complementary Medicine board and a PASS leader at her College. She is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in nutrition, furthering her commitment to empowering families through education and compassionate, holistic healthcare.
Instagram.com/olivia_sara_naturopath
Facebook.com/oliviasaranaturopath