Australian optometrists Drs. Laura Downie, Mark Roth and Josephine Li, all from the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, have been awarded fellowships by the American Academy of Optometry at the academy’s annual meeting in Seattle USA. Additionally, Dr. Sharon Bentley from Deakin University was awarded her Diplomate in Low Vision from the AAO.
AAO Fellowships are open to optometrists who are licensed to practice at the highest level permitted by law in their jurisdiction, as well as scientists, educators, librarians, administrators, and editors who have accredited themselves and optometry by their contributions to optometry or vision science.
The letters “FAAO” (Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry) after an optometrist’s, scientist’s or other qualified person’s name signify to colleagues and patients that rigorous qualifications for fellowship have been met.
Dr. Laura Downie, a regular contributor to mivision, said the Fellowship will provide further opportunities to share knowledge and learn.
Dr. Laura Downie, a regular contributor to mivision, said the Fellowship will provide further opportunities to share knowledge and learn…
“I feel honoured to have been awarded the American Academy of Optometry Fellowship. It is a prestigious international distinction that recognises optometrists with high levels of clinical competency and who also practice according to the ethos of the Academy: to be committed to life-long learning and professional excellence,” said Dr. Downie.
‘With my Fellowship, I hope to have further opportunities to share my knowledge in my area of specialty through lecturing and teaching, and to be able to learn from distinguished experts at the annual Academy meeting to improve my own standards of evidence-based clinical care to my patients,” said Dr. Downie.
