Dame Mary Perkins Award judges announced

Specsavers has announced the four judges for 2024's Dame Mary Perkins Award, which recognises outstanding patient care from its optometrists in Australia and New Zealand.

The panel comprises ophthalmologist and medical scientist Professor Peter van Wijngaarden, on behalf of KeepSight; Dr Audrey Aumua, CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand; ophthalmologist Dr Sonya Bennett, on behalf of Glaucoma New Zealand; and, returning for a second consecutive year, Carly Iles, CEO of Vision 2020 Australia. "It's an honour to be involved once again in recognising optometrists who go above and beyond to support patient care,” said Iles.

Prof van Wijngaarden said the award 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.”

Dr Peter Van Wijngaarden — Dr Sonya Bennett and Prof Peter van Wijngaarden

Dr Aumua quoted Professor Fred Hollows, who said care and concern for others is the highest of the human qualities. "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.

The award encourages optoms to stay focused on patient-centered care, said Dr Sonya Bennett. "It's 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."

The judges will select one optometrist from Australia and another from New Zealand from the shortlist of nominees. The winners will be announced at September's Specsavers Clinical Conference.