The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) says progressive change is under way at the organisation with a historic CEO announcement coinciding 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.
A media release said that 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%.
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)”, the release said.
Outgoing CEO Mr Kerry Gallagher AM, said 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,” 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.”
As part of the leadership reshuffle, 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 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.
Ronne said that despite those victories, there was 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.
In other ASO news, calls for the Australian Government to establish a private health commission or independent authority are now sitting in the in-tray of Health Minister Mr Mark Butler MP.
The ASO launched an e-petition via the Parliament of Australia website in late 2024, requesting the establishment of a private health commission — or independent private health authority — to restore balance to the “divided and failing sector”.
The move followed months of ongoing and unresolved disputes between health insurers and the private hospital sector, including the closure of more than 70 private hospitals.
The survey attracted 268 signatures and met the e-petition requirements to be referred to a minister for response.
“We received confirmation from the Petitions Committee that our signature was presented in the House of Representatives and referred to the Minister for Health, Hon Mark Butler MP, for response within 90 days,” Ms Ronne said.
“With an election looming, we are eagerly awaiting his response, which we hope outlines sound reasoning for or against the establishment of a private health commission or independent authority.”
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