Specsavers has unveiled the panel of judges to select this year’s Dame Mary Perkins Award winners for outstanding patient care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
“This annual accolade celebrates the dedication of Specsavers optometrists and the vital role they play in making a positive impact on their patients’ lives,” the company said in a statement.
Nominations for the Award have been open for the past year for exemplary moments of patient care, including an everyday interaction, eyewear that improves a patient’s life, or the early detection of an eye condition.
A panel of four renowned industry leaders from across Australia and New Zealand will judge this year’s award.
“These respected professionals bring a wealth of experience and passion for advancing optometry standards and patient outcomes and are committed to identifying individuals whose exceptional contributions merit recognition through the Dame Mary Perkins Award,” Specsavers said.
The panel includes Professor Peter van Wijngaarden, on behalf of KeepSight, a respected ophthalmologist and medical scientist with significant contributions to optometric research; Dr Audrey Aumua, CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand, renowned for her advocacy in eliminating avoidable blindness in the pacific; Dr Sonya Bennett, on behalf of Glaucoma New Zealand, an ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon and glaucoma specialist; and Ms Carly Iles, CEO of Vision 2020 Australia, recognised for her leadership in promoting vision care initiatives.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Prof van Wijngaarden said it helps to highlight the profound impact optometrists have on their communities.
“It is clear there are many outstanding clinicians who have done tremendous things for those in their care. It’s a privilege to learn their stories and celebrate their achievements,” he said.
Returning for her second consecutive year as a judge, Iles said she is looking forward to reviewing this year’s shortlist of award nominations.
“It’s an honour to be involved once again in recognising optometrists who go above and beyond to support patient care,” she said.
Dr Aumua said there is immense value in celebrating the people who are at the heart of eye healthcare and ensuring they are acknowledged for the vital work they do.
“Our founder, Professor Fred Hollows said, ‘To my mind, having a care and concern for others is the highest of the human qualities’, so in my review of the finalists I will be looking for those optometrists who have gone above and beyond to embody Fred’s values of compassion, humanity, integrity and kindness in their patient care,” she said.
Dr Bennett said she was excited about judging an award that recognises the pivotal role optometrists have in community health.
“This Award encourages us all to keep ourselves focused on patient-centered care, which is the reason many of us entered clinical practice. Optometrists perform a key role in the eye health of our communities and have opportunities to detect sight and life-threatening conditions,” she said.
The Dame Mary Perkins Award judges will select one winner from Australia and one winner from New Zealand from a shortlist of nominees.
Winning optometrists from each country will be announced at the upcoming Specsavers Clinical Conference in September and will join a prestigious list of past recipients of the award.
More reading
Specsavers extends ‘most trusted’ optometry brand streak
Specsavers reaches one million KeepSight appointment registrations
How Specsavers supports the early career optometrist
