The optometry community is mourning the death of former President of Optometry Australia (OA) John Rees. Mr Rees was President of the national body from 1984–1986.
In a tribute to Mr Rees posted to its website, Optometry Australia described him as being “instrumental in advancing the profession and improving the eye health of many through his dedication and passion”.
“During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to promote the profession and ensure that optometrists had the support they needed to provide the best possible care to their patients.
“In 1997 John Rees achieved international recognition when he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and in 2010, he was awarded life membership of OA (Tasmania).
he worked tirelessly to promote the profession and ensure that optometrists had the support they needed to provide the best possible care to their patients
“John’s commitment to continuing education and professional development was a driving force behind many of his initiatives. He understood that the world of optometry was constantly evolving, and that optometrists needed to stay up to date with the latest research, technology, and best practices to provide the best care possible,” OA said.
Mr Rees was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.
Main image: John Rees accepting lifetime membership at an OAA Tasmania event in 2010
