Suchi Rathod, Optometrist at Specsavers Watergardens in Victoria, and Andy Willmott FBDO CL, Dispensing Optician at the University of Auckland, Tamaki campus, have been named the Grand Prize Winners of the inaugural ProFile Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) Case Study Competition. ProFile is Specsavers’ in-house professional journal, which launched online in May 2017.
A five-member judging panel deemed Suchi’s study of a unilateral raised optic nerve head case and Andy’s discussion of a yoked prism case the best of more than 30 entries that were submitted by both Specavers and non-Specsavers optometrists and qualified dispensers.
Suchi Rathod, Optometry Grand Prize Winner
The optometry case studies were judged on the clarity of their approach to diagnosis and treatment / management, as well as their clinical relevance to optometric practice. The dispensing case studies were judged on how well the dispenser understood and communicated the impact that lens selection and parameters would have on the wearer, and on the educational merit and applicability of the case study’s discussion points and learning outcomes.
Suchi and Andy have won a ticket, travel and accommodation package to the 2018 Specsavers Clinical Conference and Specsavers Dispensing Conference, respectively.
Commenting on his win, Andy said, “A culture of organisational knowledge-sharing enhances skills, expertise and confidence to promote professionalism within Specsavers.”
In addition, the following five runner-up winners each received a $200 gift card:
- An Tran, Optometrist, Specsavers Mill Park, VIC
- Andrew Lovejoy, Optometrist, Specsavers Kawana, QLD
- Audrey Govender, Dispensing Optician, Specsavers Takapuna, NZ
- Haydn Williams, Optometry Director, Specsavers Charlestown, NSW
- Merna Sarkes, Optometrist, Specsavers Mt Druitt, NSW.
Andy Willmott, Dispensing Grand Prize Winner
The ProFile team would like to thank all the optometrists and qualified dispensers who entered their case studies into the competition.
Special thanks also go to the ProFile ANZ Case Study Competition judging panel:
- Steve O’Leary, Director of Product and Dispensing Advancement
- Richard Couch, Head of Dispensing Advancement
- Dr Ben Ashby, Head of Optometry
- Sophie Stephan, Graduate Optometry Development Manager
- Jeena Tan, Optometry Development Consultant.
All seven winners will have their case studies published in ProFile in the coming months – subscribe to the ProFile newsletter to have the winning entries and more professional development material delivered direct to your inbox.
ProFile accepts case study submissions year-round from both Specsavers and non-Specsavers optometrists and qualified dispensers, with a view to sharing knowledge between optical professionals and promoting the advancement of the broader optometry profession. For more information, view the ProFile case study submission requirements.
