Shortly afterwards, Healy concentrated exclusively on ballet. After having won the silver medal in the junior division at the 1982 USA International Ballet Competition, the following year she won the same event in Varna, Bulgaria, becoming the youngest ever to be awarded the gold medal. In 1984, at the age of 15, she joined the London Festival Ballet (now the English National Ballet) as a senior principal dancer, and performed with that company for two seasons.
Afterward, Healy focused solely on ballet. Following her silver medal win in the junior division at the 1982 USA International Ballet Competition, she achieved the same feat in Varna, Bulgaria the following year, becoming the youngest ever to receive the gold medal. In 1984, at the age of 15, she joined the London Festival Ballet (now the English National Ballet) as a senior principal dancer and performed with that company for two seasons.