Ranzco Congress

INVITED SPEAKERS
Prof Taylor graduated from the University of Melbourne receiving the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in 1971, Diploma of Ophthalmology in 1975 and Doctorate of Medicine in 1979. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists in 1976. He was the Assistant Director of the National Trachoma and Eye Health Program, 1976-77 and went to the Wilmer Institute in 1977 as a Corneal Fellow. He was the Associate Director of the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology. When he left Johns Hopkins in 1990 he was a professor of Ophthalmology, Epidemiology and International Health. He returned to Australia in 1990 as the Ringland Anderson Professor of Ophthalmology and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne, a WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness.

He was the founding Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia from 1996 to 2007. In 2008 he became the Harold Mitchell Chair of Indigenous Eye Health in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. His research interests include infectious and corneal causes of blindness, blindness prevention strategies, and the relationship between medicine, public health and health economics. His current work focuses on Aboriginal eye health and trachoma. His population-based studies of eye health in Australia have defined the eye research agenda and the planning and funding of eye care delivery in Australia, particularly for the Australian Aboriginal community.

He has also played a leadership role internationally and as a consultant to the World Health Organization. He is Treasurer and the next President of the International Council of Ophthalmology and former Vice-President of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. His work has been recognized by 16 international awards including the Howe Medal, the Jackson Lecture, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the AAO and the Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research. In 2001, he was made a Companion in the Order of Australia in recognition of his contributions to the prevention of river blindness, to academia, and to eye health in indigenous communities.

At this year’s congress, Prof Hugh Taylor will be giving an important lecture on Diabetic eye diseases as part his Sir Norman Gregg Lecture.

WELCOME
FROM PRACTICE MANAGERS’ GROUP CHAIR MOIRA MCINERNEY

This year we look forward to welcoming Practice Managers from Australia, New Zealand and beyond to our 10th annual conference. Every year the Practice Managers’ Group review the feedback from the previous year’s attendees in order to identify and present topics and information that will assist you in your challenging and dynamic career.

We have important updates covering off topics such as Medicare, Practice Accreditation, Professional Development and Human Resources. We will be joined by a number of RANZCO Fellows providing thought provoking insights into current practice from a doctor’s perspective. There will also be some very informative sessions and forums discussing Patient Management Software, Benchmarking, Salary Surveys and General Management.

We have introduced a paper session, which we hope will become central to the annual program. These presentations often highlight work that is done by individuals or practices on continuous improvement within their workplace. Also, we have incorporated the major lectures from the main scientific program, to allow attendees to join the congress.

We are very pleased to have Cutcher and Neale join with us this year as our program sponsor. Stuart Chan from Cutcher and Neale will update us on a number of issues around the business and financial aspects of practice management. MIGA once again take part in our Monday program followed by drinks and a wonderful networking opportunity.

We are currently calling for expressions of interest for a Practice Managers’ Dinner on Monday 24 November, at the conclusion of the MIGA sponsored drinks.