Welcome to People on the move – December 2021, Insight’s monthly bulletin to keep the Australian ophthalmic sector updated on new appointments and personnel changes.
If you’d like to tell the market about a new person in your company, practice, or clinic, please send the person’s name, position, image and a short description about their role to editor Myles Hume for consideration at myles.hume@primecreative.com.au.
Dr David Andrews – RANZCO
RANZCO CEO Dr David Andrews has informed the college board he is standing down from the role he has served in since 2013. He is leaving to become CEO of the Australian Veterinary Association. RANZCO president Professor Nitin Verma announced his departure in a memo, advising that Andrews would be leaving the role in early 2022 and hoped he would be present for a farewell at the upcoming scientific congress in February in Brisbane. In an interview with Insight, Andrews reflected on the successes, mistakes and key learnings during his nine-year tenure.
Ilsa Hampton – Optometry Victoria South Australia
OV/SA has announced its new CEO, Ms Ilsa Hampton, after what the organisation described as an intense recruitment process. Hampton is an experienced health sector leader, holding senior executive and leadership roles in aged care and social and community services. She was most recently CEO at membership organisation Meaningful Ageing Australia, where she grew the organisation significantly, undertook advocacy with government and key stakeholders, and delivered education and evidence-based practical resources for members.
Greg Hunt MP – Federal Government
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mr Greg Hunt has announced his retirement at the next election in 2022. He was appointed the health portfolio in 2017 under Mr Malcom Turnbull’s government after Sussan Ley resigned. Previously he served as industry, innovation and science minister – and before that the environment minister. In charge of one of the most demanding portfolios, Hunt indicated the need to spend more time with his family influenced his decision.
Steven Johnston – ProVision
After a decade at the helm of Australia’s largest independent optometry network, ProVision CEO Steven Johnston will step aside after Christmas before taking time to consider his next career move. Under his tenure, the ProVision network has expanded from 366 practices when he started to 467 just prior to the pandemic; a net gain of more than 100 practices. Purchases through preferred supplier partners have also grown from $46 million to $83 million last year. Reflecting on his tenure, Johnston told Insight he was proud of the systems and services developed to reduce manual tasks in the practice.
Optometry Australia’s national president Mr Darrell Baker has stepped down after serving in the role since 2018, and retired from a 10-year stint on the national board of directors. The board voted unanimously on 26 November to appoint former deputy president Mr Murray Smith as president. Smith was president of Optometry Victoria, leading its amalgamation with Optometry South Australia in 2018. Ms Margaret Lam, from NSW, has been appointed deputy president. Ms Tori Halsey, from Tasmania, has retained the position of Treasurer.
A/Prof Peter Hendicott – World Council of Optometry
Former head of the School of Optometry and Vision Science at Queensland University of Technology Associate Professor Peter Hendicott has started his two-year term as president of the World Council of Optometry (WCO). His appointment was made official at the council’s annual general meeting on 18 November. According to Optometry Australia, he is only the second Australian to lead the WCO in its 94-year history, after Dr Damien Smith assumed the presidency from 2002 to 2004. More details about Hendicott’s career can be found here.
Stephanie Bahler – Bausch + Lomb
Stephanie Bahler joined Bausch + Lomb as surgical territory manager. She will provide ophthalmic surgical technical, product and business support across Western Australia. Stephanie is an optometrist with over 15 years of experience across clinical, management and business commercial roles. She is currently the president of Optometry WA. Her industry experience, coupled with her passion for community eye health, has provided her with the solid foundation to support the ophthalmic surgical setting.
Caroline Gash – Bausch + Lomb
Caroline Gash joined Bausch & Lomb as surgical territory manager and will support Western Australia. Trained in the UK as a registered nurse and later completing her Diploma in Ophthalmic Nursing at, Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Caroline migrated to Perth in 1996 and is a qualified ophthalmic nurse with now some 28 years’ experience in the field. She has worked various major ophthalmic facilities in both the UK and Perth and is passionate about ophthalmology.
More reading
People on the move – November 2021
People on the move – October 2021
People on the move – September 2021
