Vision Eye Institute has appointed a new national medical director who will take over from Associate Professor Tim Roberts, who has helped steer the organisation throughout the last eight years.
Dr Lewis Levitz is a longstanding doctor partner at Vision Eye Institute (VEI), having joined 13 years ago.
He practises at VEI’s clinics in Blackburn South, Camberwell and Coburg, and is a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon, with special interests in conventional and laser cataract surgery, intraocular lens technology, oculoplastics and the management of eyelid cancers.
As medical director, Levitz reports directly to the VEI board regarding the organisation’s clinical standards in patient care and management. He will work closely with the Clinical Care and Infection Control committees and plan how to continue delivering the highest standards of patient care.
The medical director also represents the interests of VEI to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO).
“Being medical director comes with a significant responsibility to the many people who make up Vision Eye Institute, the healthcare professionals who refer to us and the patients we care for,” Levitz said.
“I look forward to meeting the high standards set by my predecessor, Associate Professor Tim Roberts, and his predecessor, Associate Professor Michael Lawless.”
Those ‘high standards’ include Roberts’ composure as healthcare providers, including VEI, faced enormous uncertainty with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Roberts met weekly via virtual calls with CEO Mr James Thiedeman and the Medical Advisory Board to determine the organisation’s response to fast-changing healthcare advice and various lockdowns.
“Great staff and teamwork are our foundation, and during the pandemic, we strived to support our doctors and all the team and keep everyone well informed,” Roberts said.
During his tenure as medical director, Roberts helped oversee the creation and launch of the not-for-profit research foundation, Future Vision Foundation – a nod to VEI’s deep heritage in ophthalmic research. The foundation extends this commitment further by encouraging and supporting the research efforts of staff and associated clinicians (including those with little-to-no formal research experience).
“The foundation has been a dream since Vision Eye Institute first began – born from a shared desire by many of us to improve diagnosis, improve treatments and improve healthcare experiences for patients with eye conditions. We are thrilled to see it come to life,” Roberts said.
Like Roberts, Levitz speaks highly of the depth of talent at VEI.
“I have seen firsthand the importance of our diverse doctor group, support staff and leadership team – each with different skill sets and personalities – and how they work as one to deliver exceptional patient care,” Levitz said.
“It’s incredible to see what it takes behind the scenes to keep an organisation of our size running smoothly, meeting all required regulations, and responding to challenges like the global pandemic.”
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