Three Australians have been named among this year’s 80 Eye Health Heroes, nominated by the global eye health sector.
An initiative of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the Eye Health Heroes program celebrates and nurtures young and upcoming talent in the eye health sector.
This year’s heroes have been selected for their achievements as leaders, change-makers, or innovators.
Ms Emily Hodgetts, medical coordinator at The Fred Hollows Foundation, has been recognised as a ‘change maker’; policy, research and advocacy professional Ms Elise Moo, also from The Fred Hollows Foundation, has been recognised as a ‘leader’; and Dr Ian Tan, ophthalmology resident at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, has been recognised as an ‘innovator’.
They now become part of a year-long training and mentorship program, learning from some of the eye health sectors most prominent leaders.
Ms Joanna Conlon, IAPB director of development and communications, welcomed this year’s Eye Health Heroes in a series of online ceremonies.
“These heroes should be very proud of their achievements, and I look forward to seeing the role they and their organisations will play in implementing the new sector strategy ‘2030 In Sight’ where innovation, creating change and strong leadership are the answer,” she said.
“Their commitment and energy and will be critical to ensure that by 2030 no one experiences unnecessary sight loss, that everyone has the support and services to achieve their full potential and that we all understand the importance of caring for our own eye health.”
Eye Health Heroes is funded by a grant from the Allergan foundation but it had no input in candidate selection, or any materials or activities associated with the grant.
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