Australian Society of Ophthalmologists appoints three new board members

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists is a leader in medico-political advocacy and driving equitable access to eye care services. Image credit: ©Sono Creative – stock.adobe.com

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors in a move to strengthen advocacy and efficiency within the organisation.¹

Rahul Chakrabarti, MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), MD, MSurgED (Hons), FRANZCO and Tricia Drew, MBBS, BMedSci (Hons) PhD, FRANZCO, both from Victoria, will join representative Mark Grey, from Tasmania.

ASO President Peter Sumich, MBBS (Hons), FRANZCO, highlighted the unique strengths each new director brings, emphasising the organisation’s evolving role in addressing critical health care challenges.

Chakrabarti is comprehensive general ophthalmologist at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in East Melbourne, Australia and the Essendon Eye Clinic. He is director of ophthalmology training for RANZCO in Victoria, Australia. Originally from Whyalla, South Australia, and an avid outdoorsman, his areas of interest within ophthalmology include cataract and refractive surgery, sports-related eye injuries, medical retina, pterygium, neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus surgery.²

Drew is a consultant ophthalmologist and Chair of the Eye Section, senior medical staff, at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in East Melbourne, Australia. She is the RANZCO Younger Fellows Advisory Group State Representative for Victoria. Her clinical interests include diseases of the retina, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, cataract surgery, retinal vascular occlusions.³

From left: Rahul Chakrabarti, MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), MD, MSurgED (Hons), FRANZCO; Tricia Drew, MBBS, BMedSci (Hons) PhD, FRANZCO; Mark Grey.

Grey’s appointment marks a milestone as the first person with vision impairment to serve on the ASO Board, according to the organisation. He was previously the CEO of the Queensland Eye Hospital, later became Chairman of VPSC, Melbourne’s private Eye and Ear Hospital, and served as Founding Director of the Independent Ophthalmic Network, which merged with ASO in 2014. He will be accompanied to board meetings by his Vision Assistance Dog, Hoover, who is a golden retriever.²

“We have been in a period of peacekeeping for some time but are seeing this shift as various issues across Australian health care are reaching a crisis point,” Sumich said.¹ “With advocacy playing an essential role in the year ahead, we are pleased to announce these appointments and reaffirm that our voice — the voice of Australian ophthalmologists and their patients — is growing stronger.”

Founded in 1982, the ASO is a leader in medico-political advocacy, working to ensure excellence in ophthalmology care and equitable access to services for all Australians, according to the organisation.

References

1. ASO welcomes new year with incoming Board appointments. News release. Australian Society of Ophthalmologists. February 19, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.asoeye.org/index.cfm?module=news&pagemode=indiv&page_id=2778022
2. Board of Directors. Australian Society of Ophthalmologists. Updated February 2025. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://www.asoeye.org/directors---staff
3. Staff: Dr Tricia Drew. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Accessed February 28, 2025. https://eyeandear.org.au/staff-profiles/dr-tricia-drew/