10th ASO Skills Expo set for historic visit to Queensland

Brisbane will soon set the stage for the 10th Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) Skills Expo and mark a historical first in Queensland. 

Held annually to support members of the ASO in private practice and navigating the business of ophthalmology, this year’s event will be held over two days from 31 May to 1 June at The Westin Brisbane. 

ASO Chief Executive Officer, Katrina Ronne, said the Society’s ability to bring members together to network and share experiences is a key advantage of membership with the ASO.

“Knowledge is power and can come in many shapes and forms,” Ms Ronne said.

“At the ASO Skills Expo, knowledge is gained from others’ experiences and insights, which allows our members to review and consider changing their strategic directions in business to achieve success.”

Day One (Saturday, 31 May) of the event, is closed to ASO Members and will comprise a full schedule of clinical updates, business skills training, and health policy insights. 

Ms Ronne shared topics on the table for discussion include the role and medico-legal considerations for artificial intelligence in ophthalmology practice settings, how to improve business financial literacy to ensure success in private practice, retirement planning, and why ophthalmologists should consider owning medical real estate.

“No two Skills Expo are ever the same, as we continue to evolve with the times and respond to the issues most important to our members,” she said. 

“If you want to come along and are not yet a member of the ASO, sign up now and gain the benefit of membership until June 2026.” 

For the first time, non-members of the ASO will be able to attend the Leaders Breakfast Forum on Day Two (Sunday, 1 June), now in its third year. 

ASO President, Dr Peter Sumich, said the Forum has become an important platform for Australian healthcare thought leaders and advocates to come together and unpack the issues most troubling to the industry. 

“As the Forum has grown, so has interest in it,” Dr Sumich said. “In response, we are doubling seats this year and welcome our peers from across the healthcare landscape to join us,” Dr Sumich said.

The Leaders Breakfast Forum is being sponsored by Ramsay Health Care and will include prominent panellists, such as Ramsay Surgical Centres National CEO Claire Thurwood, AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen, AMA Vice President A/Prof Julian Rait OAM, RANZCO Vice President Dr Diana Conrad, and Aller Consulting Managing Director and Health Advisor, David du Plessis. 

Dr Sumich said before the panel discussion begins, over breakfast, a keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr Jana Pittman — an Australian World and Commonwealth athletics champion turned OBGYN registrar. 

“Having entered medicine after a career change, there is much we can all learn about striking the balance between work and family, with our goals still firmly in sight and within reach, despite the hurdles along the way,” he said. 

Hosting the Brisbane event are local Queensland ophthalmologists, Dr Bill Glasson OA and Dr Louise Robinson.

Dr Louise Robinson is a Gold Coast-based ophthalmologist and the Queensland representative on the ASO Board of Directors, who is a strong supporter of local trainees and new fellows.

Dr Bill Glasson OA is a widely renowned leader in Australian medico-politics, having served past tenures as a President of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), Australian Medical Association (AMA), AMA Queensland, and the ASO.

The 2025 ASO Skills Expo is proudly sponsored by Ramsay Health Care, Bausch and Lomb, Rayner, Apellis, Astellas, BOQ Specialist, Lumibird Medical, ZEISS, and Motorline BMW with support from ASO Alliance Partners Alcon, Cutcher and Neale, Glaukos, Johnson and Johnson, MDA National, and Ophthalmology Times. 

Visit www.asoeye.org to become a member and/or register, view the 2025 ASO Skills Expo programme, meet the speakers and panellists, and catch up with the latest editions of the Expo Express e-newsletter.