Industry partners and key contributors to student learning have been recognised at an event hosted by the School of Orthoptics at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Around 90 people – orthoptists, lecturers, final year students and supporters from the ophthalmic industry – gathered at the UTS Graduate School of Health faculty’s state-of-the-art building on 100 Broadway to celebrate these key players.
the number of clinical placement hours offered to students continues to increase after a decline during COVID-19
Following a welcome to country and an introduction by acting Head of School Professor Toby Newton-John, senior lecturer Dr Amanda French announced the key facilitators of clinical placements, which provide an essential opportunity for students to translate theory learnt in lectures into real world practice.
Dr French, who stepped in for Professor Kathryn Rose, was pleased to report that the number of clinical placement hours offered to students continues to increase after a decline during COVID-19. She announced the following leading providers of placements during 2021/22:
• Liverpool Hospital: the public health service that offered the most (177) clinical placement hours,
• Retina and Eye Consultants: the private health service that offered the most (350) clinical hours, and
• Glaucoma Australia: the non-government organisation that offered the most (153) clinical placement hours.
Outstanding Supervisor
Orthoptics students were invited to vote for, and comment on, the clinical supervisor who provided the most support. The winner of this popular vote was Kirsty Somerville-McAlester, with Amy Huynh, Kathryn Thompson and Jeffery Fung all highly commended.
Comments supporting Ms Somerville-McAlester’s performance as a lecturer included “very encouraging – every time I was there, I learnt something. She is willing to take time out of her routine to not only supervise but provide me with resources, allowing me to first understand and answer questions before going on to explain”.
Another said, “Invested in growth, very interested in helping students to work through cases… always gives helpful feedback.”
The School of Orthoptics event was sponsored by Zeiss, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Designs for Vision and Glaukos.
