Kiwi ophthalmologist and ophthalmic geneticist Associate Professor Andrea Vincent has been awarded the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists’ (RANZCO’s) Federal Meritorious Service Award at the college’s 52nd Congress.
Awarded for outstanding service to college fellows who have demonstrated significant public, academic, volunteer or philanthropic services, A/Prof Vincent was nominated for the award for her “impressive” track record in research and training. Specifically, this was for her role in establishing an ocular genetics laboratory at the University of Auckland, said RANZCO, and her research into the genetics of retinal and corneal dystrophies, keratoconus, glaucoma and lid abnormalities. “Andrea is known as a tireless and extremely generous clinician, trainer, researcher and colleague. Leading by example, she has been described as ‘extraordinarily resilient’ in the face of challenges that would have overwhelmed many others.” A consultant ophthalmologist, based at Auckland’s Greenlane Hospital and Retina Specialists, A/Prof Vincent also established the Database of Inherited Retinal Disease of New Zealand.
The award was a complete surprise, said A/Prof Vincent. “There are many fellows who give a lot of their time and energy to training, teaching, committees and branches, so I feel quite humbled as there are so many deserving individuals out there.”
A/Prof Vincent said she became fascinated with ophthalmic genetics during her registrar training after attending a RANZCO talk about a ‘gene gun’ used to deliver modified genes to cells. She then spent two years as the inaugural ocular genetic fellow at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, working with Drs Elise Heon and Alex Levin. “I have been very lucky to count Dr David Mackey as a mentor and it is my numerous colleagues in Australia and worldwide, along with the amazing patients I see every day, that help keep me motivated to understanding inherited eye diseases better, so we can correctly identify and ultimately maximise vision.”
Research is a crucial part of improving ophthalmic practice, she said, providing a unique perspective and variety to any ophthalmologist’s working life. “I am very thankful to those who nominated me and to all my colleagues who I have worked with on RANZCO committees. I have learnt so much and value the camaraderie.”
