WRITER Dr Peter Sumich

For the past 43 years, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) has served as a voice for ophthalmologists and their patients – but that is not all it does, as ASO President Dr Peter Sumich explains.

In addition to being a national leader in medico-political advocacy, the ASO is recognised for the support and services it provides to help ophthalmologists navigate private practice.

Often, if not always, this is delivered by ophthalmologists for ophthalmologists or with collaboration from trusted subject-matter experts in the fields of finance, law, and more.

At the epicentre is the ASO Skills Expo, which brings together learning, support, and services across a weekend programme of presentations, panel discussions, and networking.

The Skills Expo is free to all ASO members and one of the key perks of membership with the Society. If you are not yet a member, this is your reminder to join the growing chorus of Australian ophthalmologists advocating for our profession!

This year, we mark the 10th event and also the historic first to be held in Queensland from 31 May to 1 June 2025.

Stepping in as co-convenors are local eye surgeons, Dr Bill Glasson and Dr Louise Robinson – a former AMA (Australian Medical Association) and ASO President, and our current Queensland Board Director.

There will be much to dive into, including the vetted role of artificial intelligence (AI) in private ophthalmology practice and how to build a growth mindset through improving your business financial literacy.

NEW LEARNING PLATFORM

The ASO will also be launching and unveiling a new Learning Management System (LMS), developed specifically for ophthalmologists, through the Absorb platform.

It will enable you to complete continuous learning and refresher training online, as it suits you and from wherever you are; training that is relevant in both business and clinical ophthalmology settings.

The first learning module to be unveiled will explore effective communication for clinical and business settings, understanding diverse needs for better patient and staffcare, building strong teams and healthy workplaces, and mastering negotiation and enhancing collaboration.

Drilling down, you will learn and understand more about cultural awareness and safety, how body language affects patient interactions, unconscious and implicit bias, technology and communication in ophthalmology, stress management and burn out, and conflict resolution, among other topics.

It will be a platform to test and check your knowledge, and gain access and insights into new methods and resources.

After wrapping up the business and clinical sessions on day one, grab a front row seat to the Leaders Breakfast Forum on day two, where the burning issues in Australian healthcare will be undressed and examined under the ‘slit lamp’.

Before we delve into a panel discussion, and over breakfast, Dr Jana Pittman will deliver this year’s keynote presentation. Having entered medicine after a career change, there is much we can all learn about striking the balance between work and family with our goals still firmly in sight and within reach, despite the hurdles along the way. We are sure Dr Pittman’s presentation will be inspiring to all, especially those who are in the final stages of their training, are new fellows, or looking to branch into new endeavours.

Confirmed panellists include Ramsay Health Care, National Chief Executive Officer of Ramsay Surgical Centres, Claire Thurwood; AMA President, Dr Danielle McMullen; AMA Vice President, Associate Professor Julian Rait OAM; Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Vice President, Dr Diana Conrad; Aller Consulting Managing Director and Health Advisor, David Du Plessis; and yours truly. Expect some ‘wild card’ entries too.

To learn more about the ASO Skills Expo or to become a new member, visit our website at asoeye.org.

Stay curious, keep learning, and keep growing – and always strive to be more interested than interesting.