Brisbane is to host the 10th Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) Skills Expo.
This year’s event will be held over two days from 31 May to 1 June at The Westin Brisbane.
In a media release, ASO CEO Ms Katrina Ronne said the society’s ability to bring members together to network and share experiences was a key advantage of membership with the ASO.
“Knowledge is power and can come in many shapes and forms,” 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.”
The release said that day one of the event would be exclusive to ASO Members and comprise a full schedule of clinical updates, business skills training, and health policy insights.
Topics would include the role of 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,” said Ronne.
“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 will be able to attend the Leaders Breakfast Forum on day two.
ASO president Dr Peter Sumich said the forum had 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.”
The Leaders Breakfast Forum is sponsored by Ramsay Health Care and will include prominent panellists, such as Ramsay Surgical Centres National CEO Ms Claire Thurwood, AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen, AMA vice-president associate professor Julian Rait OAM, RANZCO vice-president Dr Diana Conrad, and Aller Consulting managing director and health advisor, Mr David du Plessis.
Dr Sumich said Dr Jana Pittman, an Australian world and Commonwealth athletics champion turned OBGYN registrar, would deliver a keynote presentation before the panel discussion.
“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 will be Queensland ophthalmologists Dr Bill Glasson OA and Dr Louise Robinson.
The 2025 ASO Skills Expo is 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, and MDA National.
Those keen to know more can vision www.asoeye.org.
More reading
ASO launches petition to push for establishment of private health commission
AMA urges all parties to resolve Healthscope stoush, for the sake of patients
Good news for eyecare professionals despite cash-strapped patients downgrading private health cover
