2023 ASO Skills Expo Presenters
Quick links to 2023 ASO Skills Expo Bios:
A/Prof Ashish Agar, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Rick Behrens, Ophthalmalogic
Scott Bell, Nexus
Jarrod Bramble, Cutcher & Neale
Ian Burgess, Medical Technology Association Australia
Mark Carmichael, RANZCO
Adele Creighton, Macquarie Bank
Michelle De Guia, Hunter Eye Specialists
Michael Deng, Ellex
David Dickison, Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Dominique Egan, AMA NSW
Glenn Fawcett, Glaukos
Kerry Gallagher, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Donna Glenn, Gordon Eye Surgery
Peter Grech, Spectrum Surgical
George Hawaa, Attention Experts
Deborah Jackson, MDA National
Dr John Kennedy, ANZEF
Dane Maloney, Zeiss
Jason McHeyzer, AHPRA
Stephen Milgate, Council of Procedural Specialists
Carmel Monaghan, Ramsay Health Care Australia
Matt O’Kane, Notion Digital Forensics
A/Prof Gino Pecoraro, National Association of Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologists; Australian Health Practitioner Advisory Services
Dr Grant Raymond, RANZCO
Dr Jenny Rudolph, Centre for Medical Simulation; Massachusetts General Hospital-Institute for Health Professions; Harvard Medical School
Kiyoko Robertson, Bausch and Lomb
Dr Louise Robinson, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Michael Roff, Australian Private Hospitals Association
Penny Stewart, Alcon
Lara Sullivan, Bayside Eye Specialists
Dr Peter Sumich, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Prof Gerard Sutton, Vision Eye Institute
Blake Thomas, J & J Vision
Dr Tanya Trinh, Sydney Eye Hospital
A/PROF ASHISH AGAR
Vice President, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Ashish is a glaucoma consultant and surgeon at the Prince of Wales and Sydney Eye Hospitals, and is a Partner with Marsden Eye Specialists in Sydney. He is a conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales was Fellowship trained in Oxford. Hailing from regional NSW, Ashish is committed to ensuring medical eye care is not limited by geography. Ashish plays a pivotal role with the Outback Eye Service and is the Director of the Ophthalmology Service at Broken Hill Hospital. Ashish is Co-chair and New South Wales lead of the IRIS program and is Chair of the RANZCO Indigenous Committee.
RICK BEHRENS
Director, Ophthalmalogic
Rick was borne in Venezuela, where his family started in the optical business back in 1901. After high school (1989), he commenced work with his father as an Optometrist Assistant and was allowed to refract under supervision. In 1996, Rick established an innovating business model where the practice moves its services to a large corporation, looking after the visual health and visual needs of their employees. In 2004, motivated by Venezuela’s political situation, with his wife and two girls, Rick immigrated to Australia. Since his arrival, Rick has performed different roles in the optical-ophthalmic business, and after COVID, he started his own business while managing several international responsibilities at the same time.
SCOTT BELL
Chief Executive Officer, Nexus Hospitals
Scott Bell is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Nexus Hospitals, one of Australia’s leading operators of day surgeries and short stay hospitals.
Starting his career as an orthoptist, Scott has had a career spanning many facets of healthcare business from establishing successful specialist medical practices through to managing multi-disciplinary day hospitals and surgical inpatient hospitals.
Scott is also a director of Day Hospitals Australia and has spent the past ten years in private healthcare focussed on the growing day hospitals sector, including the establishment of Nexus in 2013. Nexus Hospitals has been founded on a model of partnership with specialist doctors, and in just over six years has grown to 15 facilities, over 500 VMO surgeons, and cares for more than 75,000 patients per annum.
JARROD BRAMBLE
Managing Partner, Cutcher & Neale
With a continued niche focus of working with medical practitioners, Jarrod’s expertise has enabled him to guide many of his clients from the initial stages of wealth creation as Doctors in Training, right through to wealth protection, planning and retirement strategies.
His passion for helping practitioners to improve their performance through sound financial management has led to the development of WealthStart and Australian Medical Benchmarks, which are all aimed to assist medical professionals and practices reach their financial, business and investment goals sooner.
IAN BURGESS
Chief Executive Officer, Medical Technology Association Australia
Ian is CEO of the Medical Technology Association of Australia, the peak national association representing companies in the medical device industry.
Ian’s previous CEO roles have included commercial health organisations and also medical professional associations — the Australian Dental Association (NSW) and the Australian Orthopaedic Association.
Ian holds an MBA from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University, and he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ian is also a non-executive director of Red Nose, formerly known as SIDS & Kids, a well-respected not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children.
MARK CARMICHAEL
Chief Executive Officer, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Mark joined RANZCO as its Chief Executive Officer in May 2022 and has had a career working in the area of Not for Profits and Professional Associations. Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA), and before that, he held an alike role with the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgeons (ASOHNS). He was the NSW State Manager of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and successfully completed the Institute's highly regarded Company Director Course.
He holds a Bachelor of Health Science — Physical Education from the University of Western Australia and a Masters in Business Management from the University of Technology, Sydney.
ADELE CREIGHTON
Head of Healthcare, Macquarie Bank
Adele is a financial specialist, with over 15 years of experience working in the banking and financial services industry. Adele is the national head of healthcare for Macquarie Business Banking, leading a successful team nationally. She is passionate about sharing invaluable insights with clients to help them grow, change, capture opportunities, and realise their value, aligned with owners’ objectives.
Adele regularly presents at industry seminars and is a regular contributor to sharing Macquarie’s Healthcare Perspective, featured on Healthtech podcasts and recently hosted an international panel at the Macquarie Australia conference presenting to ASX200 and large ASX investors around the future of Healthcare. She has been at the forefront of parental leave initiatives, and with two kids of her own, has a goal to assist and facilitate parents in her team to successfully return to work, whilst being able to balance both family life and their careers.
Adele holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Sydney University, with a double major in accounting and finance, and has completed her financial planning qualification, RG146.
MICHELLE DE GUIA
Practice Business Manager, Hunter Eye Specialists
Michelle is a Practice and Business Manager of Hunter Street Eye Specialists based in Parramatta, NSW. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and majored in Orthoptics at Sydney University, graduating in 1999. She commenced as an Orthoptist in 2000 at Laser Vision Centre & Vision Eye Institute at Chatswood, joining Hunter Street Eye Specialists in 2007 as a Senior Orthoptist. She commenced her role as the Practice Manager for Hunter Street Eye Specialists in 2013 and continues to date managing the business.
MICHAEL DENG
Regional Business Development Representative NSW/ACT, Ellex
Michael's professional background is rooted in both clinical practice and business management. After working as an orthoptist for over seven years and gaining exposure to all areas of ophthalmology sub-specialties, he decided to pursue an MBA with a major in finance from UTS Business School. This combination of clinical and business expertise led him to work in a tele-ophthalmology startup company, where it aimed to make eye check-ups more accessible for the general public. Following this, Michael took on the role of Territory Manager for NSW/ACT in sales, where he is dedicated to supporting ophthalmologists in delivering the best possible eye care to their patients. Ellex is committed to empowering ophthalmologists to deliver exceptional care to their patients, and Michael is proud to play a critical role in achieving this mission.
DR DAVID DICKISON
Treasurer and Deputy Chair, Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
David graduated in Medicine in 1982 with Honours. He completed the Australian Orthopaedic Training Scheme in 1989. He underwent further training in England, USA and Australia.
David specialises in knee surgery. He has extensive experience in knee replacement surgery and arthroscopic reconstructive surgery. He has been involved in many aspects of research, particularly knee replacement design.
Throughout his time in practice, he has had a strong interest in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR). He was invited onto the design team for the PSI Zimmer UKR.
With the advent of Robotic Knee Replacement, David has led the introduction of the Stryker MAKO Robotic system. He continues to be involved in specialist training.
He was instrumental in the establishment of The Peninsula Orthopaedics Research Institute. His current areas of interest are TKR component positioning, as related to biomechanical and patient outcomes; and preoperative assessment, as an indicator of patient surgical selection and outcome.
David has been involved in the establishment of a Day Surgery Unit and a Private Hospital.
David is a member of the Australian Knee Society and international societies including American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, ISAKOS and International Society for Technology in Arthroplasty. He has been also on the Executive of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, to the level of Fellowship Committee Chair. He is currently Treasurer and Deputy Chair of the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
DOMINIQUE EGAN
Director of Workplace Relations, Australian Medical Association (NSW)
Dominique is the Director of Workplace Relations at AMA (NSW). She provides advice to AMA (NSW) members on VMO, Staff Specialist, medico-legal and employment matters, as well as providing policy advice. Dominique also holds the position of In-House Legal Counsel, providing legal advice to the CEO, Board and Council.
Prior to Dominique’s appointment with AMA (NSW), she worked in private legal practice for 20 years specialising in advising medical practitioners and health organisations, including AMA (NSW).
As a health law specialist, Dominique has expertise in health law and policy, including unfair dismissal claims, legislative reform and compliance, employment and industrial matters, workplace investigations and mediations, professional conduct (disciplinary) claims against health practitioners, commercial matters, Medicare investigations and Professional Services Review inquiries and coronial inquiries.
GLENN FAWCETT
Vice President for Asia-Pacific & General Manager for Australia, Glaukos Corporation
Glenn has been with Glaukos since September 2015, based in Melbourne, Australia. He currently holds the positions of Vice President, Asia & General Manager, Australia.
Prior to joining Glaukos, he was Marketing Manager at Abbott for their Medical Optics division where he looked after their Cataract, Refractive and Consumer Eyecare portfolios. He has held various positions in Sales Management within the eyecare industry and has over 26 years of experience in this field, launching many new and innovative technologies that have changed the surgical landscape for surgeons and their patients.
Glenn graduated from the University of Liverpool in the UK with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Marine Biology. He also has a Masters of Marketing from Monash University in Melbourne, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He is passionate about changing the treatment paradigm for the management of Glaucoma and sees opportunity within Australia and the wider Asian markets to bring better quality-of-life outcomes to patients.
Glenn is married with two teenage daughters, enjoys creating music and then subjecting his two teenage daughters to listen to it.
KERRY GALLAGHER
CEO, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Kerry is a respected medico-political adviser and government relations expert. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Australia Medical Association Queensland and as Secretary General to Australian Medical Association. In 2008 Kerry was awarded the Australian Medical Association President’s Award for “outstanding contribution towards fostering the objectives of the AMA”. Kerry is a recognised builder and leader of result-focused teams, with more than 30 years’ experience as a manager of successful and respected organisations, in particular within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Kerry has been awarded an Order of Australia medal for his efforts in the ADF.
DONNA GLENN
Business Manager, Gordon Eye Surgery
Donna's current role has seen her manage a large multi-site ophthalmic private practice for more than 16 years after a career as an orthoptist and also co-owning her own accreditation and quality improvement consulting company.
Throughout her career, she has worked with industry peak bodies, is currently a NSW State representative for the Australian Association of Practice Managers, and is also the Chair of the RANZCO Professional Standards Committee.
PETER GRECH
Managing Director, Spectrum Surgical
Since 1995, Peter has been the Managing Director of Spectrum Surgical and Spectrum Ophthalmics.
Among his achievements during the above tenure, Peter is credited with the co-introduction of one of the first foldable IOLs (STAAR), the first foldable toric IOL, the ICL, and the introduction of a broad line of ophthalmic devices, including kerarings for Keratoconus; HumanOptics foldable Artifical Iris, and CXL treatment at the slit lamp.
In 1990, Peter graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor of Applied Physics, with Majors in Optics and Lasers, and conducted research as a Physicist from 1991–1994 at Eastman Kodak exploring the development of a humidity sensor utilising fibre optics and lasers.
GEORGE HAWAA
Growth Director and Founder, Attention Experts
As Growth Director and Founder of leading social media agency, Attention Experts, George has built Australia's most 5-star rated social media agency from the ground - up. With offices in three cities, Attention Experts focuses on return on investment on advertising spend from social media marketing and has a unique philosophy to social media marketing that makes it an award-winning agency.
George won the 'Outstanding Young Entrepreneur' award at the NSW Regional Business Chamber Awards in 2018. George started Attention Experts, after successfully starting, building and selling two multi-million dollar businesses utilising social media. He was approached by organisations, for his competence after both businesses were sold, and hence decided to embark on establishing his own social media agency.
He is a sought after keynote speaker and presenter for industry groups and in-house training on the subject of social media. George also lectures on behalf of the Centre for Continuing Education on social media strategy at Sydney University.
DEBORAH JACKSON
Medico-Legal Advisory Counsel, MDA National
Deborah has extensive experience in medical negligence litigation in all jurisdictions acting for doctors, physiotherapists and other allied healthcare professionals in civil and coronial hearings.
Deborah joined MDA National in 2003. In addition to providing medico-legal advice, assistance with AHPRA, Medical Board, Medicare Investigations, Coronial Inquiries and claims management to all MDA National Members, Deborah regularly speaks at seminars and conferences to doctors of various disciplines.
DR JOHN KENNEDY
Chair, Australian and New Zealand Eye Foundation
Dr John Kennedy is a senior ophthalmic surgeon and former head of the department of ophthalmology at St Vincents Hospital in Sydney. His private rooms are in St Vincents Clinic, specialising in cataract surgery. John is also a past chairman of the NSW branch of RANZCO.
Since May 2018 he has been the inaugural chairman of ANZEF, with a desire to promote philanthropy as one of our college’s core principles.
DANE MALONEY
Head of Medical Technology Australia and New Zealand, Zeiss Group
A former graduate of the School of Orthoptics and practice manager of the Northern Laser Vison Centre, Dane has enjoyed a 16-year career at ZEISS holding sales, training and management positions in both Australia and USA. The last six years he been responsible for the ZEISS Medical Division encompassing the sales, marketing, clinical application and technical service teams across Australia and New Zealand.
JASON McHEYZER
National Director, Cosmetic Surgery and Compliance, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Jason is Ahpra’s National Director of Cosmetic Surgery and Compliance. The Cosmetic Surgery Enforcement Unit was established in response to the independent review into the regulation of medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery. The CSEU manages all cosmetic surgery related notifications and all advertising issues related to regulated health practitioners.
Ahpra’s Compliance function is responsible for monitoring the compliance of health practitioners with restrictions on their registration to enable continued safe practice.
Prior to Ahpra, Jason was a senior manager at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority responsible for developing and implementing safety regulation of flying and maintenance organisations.
Jason also enjoyed a career as an Air Force officer with aviation experience on AP-3C Orion military surveillance aircraft. He has led and flown on combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and managed major aviation acquisition projects including the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
STEPHEN MILGATE
Chief Executive Officer, Council of Procedural Specialists; Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Stephen has worked with the Australian medical profession for over 32 years. Graduating in Economics and Financial Studies from Macquarie University, he worked in private enterprise until 1991, when he met the late Dr Bruce Shepherd AM. As a result of this meeting, Stephen was invited to be involved in a number of organisations that Dr Shepherd had created during the 1984 doctors’ dispute. In these roles, Stephen has worked closely with medical leaders across all disciplines in the defence of the independence of medicine and the development of better health policy for all Australians.
Stephen is currently the CEO of the Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Council of Procedural Specialists.
Stephen is the proud recipient of the Australian Defence Medal, the Bruce Shepherd Medal, an honorary fellowship of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, the Surgeon General John White Medal, and is a member of the Order of Australia.
Stephen is happily married to Susan, and they reside in Arncliffe, NSW. He has four sons and three grandchildren.
CARMEL MONAGHAN
Chief Exective Officer, Ramsay Health Care Australia
Carmel is the Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Health Care Australia, commencing in this role on 1 October 2020. Carmel joined Ramsay in 1998 and has worked across hospital, corporate and global Ramsay positions, playing a key role in the company’s successful growth during this time.
She has extensive experience and a comprehensive understanding of healthcare operations and strategy both in Australia and overseas. Coming from a marketing and communications background, Carmel has had a strong focus on delivering results through focussing on customers and developing strong doctor relationships.
Carmel is a respected leader with the ability to build an experienced and loyal team, and her collaborative style and people-focused approach is closely aligned with ‘The Ramsay Way’. Having worked with the Company’s founder, Paul Ramsay, for many years, she has a strong belief in its organisational culture of ‘people caring for people’.
MATT O'KANE
Director, Notion Digital Forensics
As the CEO of Notion Digital Forensics, Matt O'Kane leads a dedicated team of professionals who deliver digital forensics and cybersecurity services to clients worldwide. Over the past five years, he has directed responses to more than 70 cyber breaches and insider threat investigations, which has afforded him a unique perspective on the digital forensics and cybersecurity landscape.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Matt O'Kane is a Casual Academic at the University of New South Wales, Canberra. There, Matt educates students in cyber defence, digital forensics, and cyber resilience. Matt O'Kane also collaborates with UNSW Law Edge (Sydney) and Imperial College (London) School of Business.
Finally, Matt O'Kane and his son are life-long patients of Professor John Grigg, having been born with cataracts and associated complications. He and his family have worked with the Save Sight Institute (Sydney University) for a number of years.
A/PROF GINO PECORARO
President, National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; Chair, Australian Health Practitioners Advisory Services
Gino is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist who has been practicing in both public and private practice in Brisbane since 1997.
He is a past State President of the Australian Medical Association and Chair of the federal AMA board, current President of the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, as well as chair of Australian Health Practitioners Advisory Services.
He is a current council and past board member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG), where he chaired the CPD and sub-specialist committees and remains active in college educational activities as a senior examiner.
Gino maintains a keen interest in medical journalism and has been a regular presenter on Channel 10 News, columnist for the Courier Mail, and regularly contributes to 4BC and ABC Breakfast and talk back radio.
Gino has held senior Visiting Medical Specialist positions at both the Mater Mothers’ and Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospitals.
DR GRANT RAYMOND
President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Dr Grant Raymond is currently President of RANZCO following three years as RANZCO Vice-President and Treasurer. He was a RACE examiner for ten years, a previous Chair of the SA Branch, a former chair of the Professional Conduct Committee and has extensive experience working with not-for-profit Boards. Fellowship trained in Retina, he is a former Head of the Medical Retina Service at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Medical Retina Fellowship Supervisor. He has trained retinal specialists from Nepal, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Spain, Russia and India.
He has been involved with voluntary aid work in Myanmar with Sight for All, in China as a visiting ophthalmologist for Lifeline Express and in Sri Lanka as an international examiner and invited lecturer. He is immediate past-President of the Royal Society for the Blind and continues on the Board. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course, he is a director of Eye Consultants SA, with a sub-specialty retina practice. In his spare time he enjoys golf, tennis and challenging bush walks.
Jenny Rudolph
Director of Innovation, Center for Medical Simulation
Professor of Health Professions Education, Massachusetts General Hospital-Institute for Health Professions
Lecturer in Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Jenny is a life-long athlete and behavioural scientist who brings the joy of mastery learning to communication and teamwork in healthcare. Dr Rudolph is the Senior Director of Innovation at the Center for Medical Simulation in Boston, which works to build clinical readiness, and transform teamwork and communication within the Harvard system as well as health systems around the world.
Jenny is a Professor of Health Professions Education at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Health Professions, and a Lecturer in Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Her pioneering work on psychological safety and high stakes conversations is informed by 20 years of research in the contexts of healthcare, sports, and nuclear power. Dr Rudolph is a Fellow of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, has doctorate in organizational behavior from Boston College, was a US National Science Foundation Fellow, and received her B.A. in sociology from Harvard College.
Rudolph was a member of the US World Champion women’s lightweight rowing team and played varsity basketball at Harvard College.
To help clinicians develop expert-level teamwork and communication skills, Rudolph pioneered an approach called “with good judgment” that can guide high stakes conversations. Instead of pretending we don’t have judgments, the “good judgment” approach pairs critical insight and positive regard to mobilise behaviour change and enhance skills.
Case studies with Jenny: How Medical Simulation supported global response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
- "Circle Up": Workflow Adaption and Psychological Support via Briefing, Debriefing, and Peer Support
- Rapid cycle system improvement for COVID-19 readiness: integrating deliberate practice, psychological safety and vicarious learning
- Social media for rapid knowledge dissemination: early experience from the COVID-19 pandemic
KIYOKO ROBERTSON
Surgical Territory Manager, Bausch + Lomb
Kiyoko is a trained nurse in both the human and veterinary fields where she has spent a total of 25 years of her career. Originally from the USA, Kiyoko has now been in Australia for a total of twelve years and has had various roles in medical and pharmaceutical sales. Kiyoko is currently enjoying her time in Ophthalmology, and is focussed on supporting the Newcastle area.
DR LOUISE ROBINSON
Dr Louise Robinson is an Ophthalmologist who graduated in medicine with honours from the University of Sydney.
Her Ophthalmic speciality training was obtained through the Sydney Eye Hospital, which provided her with a comprehensive exposure and understanding of both medical and surgical eye presentations and their treatments’. Dr Louise was then accepted as a fellow specialising in Glaucoma at the world renowned University of British Columbia, Vancouver Eye Care Centre, Canada.
Currently, Dr Louise, not only works privately, but also has a public appointment at the Gold Coast University Hospital, where she enjoys managing complex general and glaucoma patients, whilst teaching “future Ophthalmologists” in relevant medical and surgical techniques. Dr Robinson also enjoys providing Ophthalmologic services to the Gladstone and Rockhampton Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with the help of the Aboriginal “Eye and Ear Surgical Support” and “CheckUP” groups.
Dr Robinson is actively involved in the State Ophthalmology College as the Queensland Young Fellows representative which enables her to be involved in the ongoing support, education and encouragement of new and young fellows. As the Gold Coast representative of the Australian Medical Association, she is also able to participate in broad state medical issues and advice. Mentoring medical students is something that she has enjoyed and she is constantly excited by the enthusiasm and ambition of the young students coming through.
Her surgical skills include cataract extraction, pterygium excisions, medical retinal interventions and her glaucoma sub-speciality interests are trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices, minimally invasive glaucoma devices and goniotomies, whilst also providing a range of glaucoma laser procedures.
Dr Robinson is actively involved and committed to the ongoing glaucoma clinical research, having presented at international conferences, with papers that have been published in peer reviewed journals.
MICHAEL ROFF
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Private Hospitals Association
Michael is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA). Michael joined APHA as Public Affairs Manager in 1994 and was appointed CEO in 2000. He is the longest serving health lobbyist in Canberra.
Prior to joining APHA, Michael worked as an assistant to a Justice of the High Court and as a Policy Advisor to Ministers in the New South Wales and ACT governments. He also spent several years in Sydney as a public affairs manager with a major national industry association.
APHA is the peak national body representing the interests of the private hospital sector, with a diverse membership that includes large and small hospitals and day surgeries, for profit and not for profit hospitals and groups, as well as independent facilities located in metropolitan, regional and rural areas throughout Australia.
For more than ten years, Michael has served on the Board of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards and is also Chair of ACHS International, in addition to holding appointments on a wide range of ministerial, government and industry advisory bodies.
PENNY STEWART
Cluster Franchise Head of Surgical Franchise, and Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Alcon
Penny is the Cluster Franchise Head for Alcon’s Surgical Franchise and Alcon Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand.
She has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare and medical devices industry,
during which she has held various sales, marketing, and commercial leadership roles across
diverse clinical segments with leading companies such as Abbott, Becton Dickinson, Phillips,
and Roche Diagnostics. Before joining Alcon, she served as the General Manager of
Abbott’s Structural Heart franchise.
Penny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology and a Masters in Applied
Science in Pathology and Management. She began her career as a medical scientist in
pathology and has since developed extensive clinical knowledge, combined with her
commercial experience, which enables her to have a deep understanding and appreciation
for clinically intensive products and therapies.
At Alcon, Penny will continue to uphold the company's outstanding reputation for customer centricity and excellence in product innovation in ocular care and health.
LARA SULLIVAN
Co-Founder, Director and Manager, Bayside Eye Specialists
Lara Sullivan is the Co-Founder, Director and Manager of Bayside Eye Specialists, a multidisciplinary ophthalmology practice which she opened in 2007. She leads a large team of orthoptists, administrators and eleven consulting ophthalmologists, and successfully steered the business through multiple extended Melbourne lockdowns.
Lara completed her hospital-based nursing training at St Vincent’s Public Hospital in Melbourne in 1993, then worked in medical administration before finding her niche in the international recruitment of health care professionals. She was instrumental in opening the New Zealand branch of IPA Healthcare in partnership with BNA (British Nursing Agency) and held the record for successful placement of nurses to the UK at that time. Lara then moved into the transport industry, working as Client Service Manager for a large company overseeing Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, before ultimately returning to the medical industry and opening Bayside Eye Specialists.
Lara is a member of the RANZCO Practice Managers’ Committee, a RANZCO associate member, member of the AAPM (Australian Association of Practice Managers), and a Business Associate of the ASO.
DR PETER SUMICH
President, Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
Peter graduated with Honours from NSW University in 1990 and after residency he worked as an accredited emergency medicine registrar at Royal North Shore Hospital. He was awarded the Australian Medal in the Emergency Medicine Primary Exam. After four years of emergency medicine he transferred to ophthalmic surgery and later graduated from Sydney Eye Hospital.
He was awarded the Sir Norman Rose travelling scholarship and in recognition of his high level of training to an international standard, the Royal British College of Ophthalmology granted him dual registration as a specialist eye surgeon in both Britain and Australia. Peter is now a partner at Hunter Street Eye Specialists Parramatta. Apart from his current Presidency of the ASO, Peter also sits on the Council of Procedural Specialists. He has served on the NSW State Ophthalmic Services Committee, the AMA Hospital Services Committee and currently the Medicare Advisory Committee at RANZCO.
Professor Gerard Sutton is an ophthalmic surgeon and accidental academic at the University of Sydney. Current appointments include Medical Director of the Eye & Tissue Bank in NSW, Medical Officer Sydney Eye Hospital, Visiting Professor at the University of Medicine Mandalay in Myanmar, Professorial Fellow at the Intelligent Polymer Institute University of Wollongong, Council of the Asia Cornea Society, and Co-President of the Australian Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. His private practice is at the Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood.
Gerard completed his ophthalmic training at Sydney Eye Hospital with fellowships at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Thomas Hospital and Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London, and Friedrich Alexander University in Germany. He completed a Doctorate at the University of Auckland where he was appointed Clinical Associate Professor. He held the Douglas & Lola Douglas Chair at Sydney University for 10 years. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered over 100 invited lectures, nationally and internationally. Named Lectures include the RANZCO Council Lecture in 2016, the Inaugural John Parr Medal Lecture in 2019, and the Douglas J Coster Medal Lecture in 2023.
Previous career highlights and awards include the Lions International Centennial Achievement Award, XOVA Award for Excellence in International Ophthalmology, the Sydney Research Inaugural Big Idea Award, International Silver Medal for “The Naked Eye”, the establishment of the Australian Ocular Biobank, and a Corneal Surgical & Eye Bank Programme in Myanmar. He was also Chief Ophthalmologist for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
His current research focus is corneal bioengineering. He has received competitive funding has been in excess of $40 million, including NHMRC and MRFF major grants. Collaboratively, he has established iFix Medical Pty Ltd and BIENCO Pty Ltd, which are aimed at finding bio-engineering solutions to corneal blindness.
BLAKE THOMAS
Country Manager Australia and New Zealand, J & J Vision
Blake is passionate about improving patient outcomes and partnering with Ophthalmologists and service providers to deliver professional and clinical excellence.
As Country Manager, Blake has streamlined focus on IOL patient benefits and ease of surgical use, resulting in significant market share gains within monofocal and toric IOL segments. A renewed focus on equipment innovations has JJV placed for further impact across phaco and refractive portfolios in partnership with surgical customers.
Historically, Blake has worked in diverse environments including with large-scale customer datasets, online channels, new technologies and center-of-excellence teams.
In additional to public and private hospitals, Blake has worked in retail and pharmacy channels across ANZ and Asia. With a passion for innovation, data and technology, Blake enjoys finding new ways to address unmet needs, and finding creative ways to improve outcomes.
Blake has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and 19 years experience with Johnson & Johnson.
DR TANYA TRINH
Staff Specialist, Sydney Eye Hospital
Tanya is a fully qualified RANZCO ophthalmologist specialising in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. She is also a fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Vision Sciences.
She completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland, where she was awarded a scholarship in Medical Leadership and the Australian Medical Association of Queensland Harold Plant Prize for Best All Rounded Graduate.
Tanya completed her ophthalmology specialist training under the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in Queensland.
She then embarked upon an advanced two-year fellowship in Cornea, External Diseases and Refractive Surgery at the University of Toronto, Canada where she developed extensive expertise in corneal transplantation, pterygium surgery, ocular surface regeneration, complex anterior segment surgery and refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK and corneal collagen crosslinking for the treatment of keratoconus.
Tanya was awarded the position of Chief Fellow of the University of Toronto and subsequently received the prestigious Lim Memorial Prize for the subspecialty surgeon exemplifying best surgical and teaching skills.
She then undertook a research fellowship in laser cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, dry eye treatments and ocular surface disease.
Tanya has now been invited to join the team at Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia as a Staff Specialist and is excited to be back home.
She has published over 40 scientific journal articles in national and international journals, written book chapters on advanced corneal transplantation techniques and ocular surface disease, and is a regular presenter on the national and international conference circuits.
She teaches medical students, residents, registrars and fellows, is involved in the development of anterior segment curriculum teaching at the University of Toronto and contributes regularly to community optometry education. She is also a clinical associate lecturer for the University of Queensland.
