Mr Stuart Aamodt, an independent optometrist from Perth, has been appointed as the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA)’s new chair.
Aamodt has been the presiding member of the OBA after the previous chair, Ms Judy Hannan, stepped down in March 2023 to become a member of parliament in the NSW legislative assembly.
He has previously worked for Lions Outback Vision in Yawuru country (northern Western Australia) – a not-for-profit optometry clinic – where he provided outreach and optometric services for the local communities in and around the Kimberley.
His role involved working closely with the local ophthalmology team, providing pre-clinical work ups, post operative care and triaging urgent cases when the ophthalmology team were on outreach.
The OBA Board now comprises Aamodt, Dr Carla Abbott, Mr Anthony Evans, Mr Benjamin Graham, Associate Professor Rosemary Knight, Mr Martin Robinson, Ms Renee Slunjski, Professor Sharon Bentley and Mr Terence Wong.
In addition to the OBA chair, a total of 15 new National Board members were appointed across various health disciplines, including three members who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples. There are 13 outgoing members.
In a statement, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) said an extensive recruitment process was undertaken over the past 13 months that saw 122 applications received for advertised vacancies across National Boards.
The vacancies were mainly the result of chairs, practitioner members and community members reaching the scheduled expiry of their three-year terms.
Ahpra CEO Mr Martin Fletcher welcomed the appointments and acknowledged the contribution of the retiring Board members.
“I welcome all the appointments but in particular the 15 new National Board members who I am certain will make a significant impact to the regulatory work of the Boards and the National Scheme,’ he said.
“There are now 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as senior members in the National Scheme who are on the Ahpra Board, National Boards, State and Territory Boards and on committees. Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences in decision-making on board matters helps to foster self-determination.”
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