Faces of Baptcare: Alice Linklater – Allied Health

What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? 

My current role is Allied Health Lead for podiatry and occupational therapy in VIC/TAS where I balance clinical care with leadership responsibilities. Day to day, I continue to provide podiatric care to clients while also supporting the operational management and service delivery of our multidisciplinary allied health teams. This includes workforce planning, enhancing team cohesion, and ensuring high-quality, client-centred care across both disciplines. 

What drew you to working with Baptcare? 

After running my own podiatry business for over a decade, including providing home care podiatric services through the Home Care Packages program; I had the privilege of working with several aged care providers. Among them, Baptcare always stood out. The professionalism, warmth, and genuine care shown by the Care Coordinators and Area Managers left a lasting impression on me. Their deep commitment to client-centred outcomes resonated with my own values. 

What do you like about working with Baptcare and in the Allied Health space?

Following the challenges of COVID-19, I made the difficult decision to close my business and return to university to pursue a Master of Public Health and a Master of Healthcare Administration. When I saw the Allied Health Lead – Podiatry role at Baptcare, it felt like the ideal opportunity to merge my clinical expertise with my evolving interest in health systems leadership, while returning to an organisation I had long respected for its genuine commitment to values-based care.

What I love most about working at Baptcare and in the allied health space, is the ability to make a meaningful difference, both at the individual level through direct care, and at a broader level through team and service development. I feel incredibly proud and grateful to wear the Baptcare uniform and contribute to an organisation that places respect, empathy and client wellbeing at the heart of its work.

What led you to being a podiatrist?

While studying Medical Science, majoring in Haematology, and undertaking my final placement in a large hospital, I realised something was missing. The role was focused on diagnostics and, while that work is extremely important, I wanted to be more directly involved in helping people and contributing directly to positive client outcomes.

I was drawn to a career where I could build meaningful relationships and play an active role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing through inclusive, person-centred care. Podiatry provided the ideal path, a hands-on profession where I could work collaboratively with clients to improve mobility, promote independence, and make a lasting, positive impact on their quality of life. 

Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently? 

Every day is a special day connecting with clients, allied health team members, the wider Baptcare team and the residents at Strathalan. Too cheesy? Never enough. 

Did you always want to work within the health care space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? 

Yes, I’ve always felt a strong pull toward the healthcare space. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of roles across the sector, from podiatry to health promotion and community engagement. Each role has given me the opportunity to connect with people in meaningful ways, support their health journeys, and contribute to broader community outcomes. I’ve particularly enjoyed roles that involve co-design, where I’ve collaborated with individuals and communities to develop inclusive, person-centred initiatives. These experiences have reinforced my passion for equity in healthcare and the importance of creating solutions that are shaped by the voices of those they’re intended to serve. 

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

When I was younger, I dreamed of performing in musical theatre. The idea of dancing and singing on stage, and connecting with an audience, really inspired me.  

Funny you should mention performance. We happen to have this fun photo of you, taken from a recent Baptcare event! Jazz hands, anyone? 

Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? 

1. Yes, so I danced professionally for many years, with my last performance being part of a tap troupe in my 30s. Earlier in life, I even danced full-time, training across jazz, tap, contemporary, and classical styles. My ultimate dream was to be cast in Cats the musical. 
2. My wedding pictures were displayed in picture frames within the Myer catalogue for several years. 

What is your favourite book and/or movie? 

Movie:  The Intouchables (2011, French original), this movie will make you smile, laugh, cry (and even want to dance!) but you must watch the original version.  

Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include … 

My ideal weekend is camping by a river with my family, sitting around the fire with no mobile phone or internet coverage, quality time, nature, and a complete reset. 

What are two things on your bucket list? 

1. To visit family in Scotland  
2. To stop finding new courses/degrees/Masters to study  

If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? 

Georgie Parker – I grew up watching and loving A Country Practice.  

If you’d like to learn more about our Allied Health services, call  03 8388 5800