ASO marks International Women’s Day with historic CEO Appointment

Progressive change is underway at the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists as an historic announcement coincides with International Women’s Day.

For the first time in the ASO’s 43-year history, a woman has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ms Katrina Ronne — who has served as the ASO’s General Manager of Policy and Strategy for much of the past decade — joined the Society at a crucial time following the infamous ‘Grandma’s Not Happy’ campaign.

Spearheaded in 2009, the campaign sought to protect the Medicare patient rebate for cataract surgery from government cuts and won, resulting in a reversal of the then-Federal Government’s former decision to cut the rebate for patients by 50 per cent.

Ms Ronne is credited with experience in government advocacy and campaign development, with a keen focus on medico-political policy formulation, honed from her time with Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation Queensland (ASMOFQ) and Salaried Doctors Queensland (SDQ). 

Outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Kerry Gallagher AM, said Ms Ronne’s appointment, whilst historic, importantly reinforces that the ASO continues to evolve and grow. 

“It is an exciting time for the ASO and marks a new era in our medico-political advocacy,” Mr Gallagher said.

“Katrina has been at my side and contributed significantly to the development of the ASO this past decade.

“Time and again, she has been responsible for developing policy and submissions to effectively communicate the ASO’s position on critical issues affecting Australian ophthalmologists and their patients.

“Stepping into the future with a new generation at the helm, Katrina has the steady hands and experience in the field to continue to charter the ASO to safe waters on the issues that could sink and compromise the future of ophthalmology services in Australia,” he said. 

As part of the leadership reshuffle, Mr Gallagher will continue to contribute to the ASO, now sitting on its Board of Directors as Executive Vice Chair. 

ASO President Dr Peter Sumich attributes Mr Gallagher’s legacy for bringing the ASO to the forefront of medico-political advocacy in Australia.

“For the past 16 years, Kerry has been an advocate and champion of the issues impacting Australian ophthalmologists and their patients — and most, if not all of those battles, were won,” Dr Sumich said.

The announcement precedes International Women’s Day being observed tomorrow (8 March), which this year is calling to ‘Accelerate Action’ through increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face.

Highlighting recent data from the World Economic Forum, the campaign states gender parity will not be achieved until the year 2158 at the current rate of progress.

Incoming ASO CEO, Ms Katrina Ronne, said it reinforces there is still much work to be done.

“Each and every one of us can be agents for change, whether we take small or significant steps of action,” she said.

“Start small and join the conversations this week on ASO socials, where we have been celebrating and recognising the achievements of women in ophthalmology, as nominated by their peers.

“If you want to be more proactive, encourage your female peers to become members of the ASO and contribute to our growing voices.

“Without their support, we cannot achieve true gender parity.”

Learn more about the advocacy role and work of the ASO by visiting www.asoeye.org.