Australian Society of Ophthalmologists announces new board appointments

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 organization.¹

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

ASO President Peter Sumich, MBBS (Hons), FRANZCO, highlighted the unique strengths each new director brings, emphasizing the organization’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.

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.

Grey’s appointment marks a milestone as the first person with vision impairment to serve on the ASO Board, according to the organization.

“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. “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 organization.

Reference

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