Specsavers’ has recognised outstanding stores and individual optometrists in Australia and New Zealand, awarding prestigious Doug Perkins Medal and Dame Mary Perkins Awards, at the annual Specsavers Clinical Conference (SCC) in Sydney.
Doug Perkins Medal for Clinical Excellence
The 2023 Doug Perkins Medals were presented to Specsavers Beaudesert in Queensland and Specsavers Masterton on New Zealand’s North Island.
Specsavers Head of Clinical Performance, Nick Gidas, who presented the awards, said the Doug Perkins Medal is awarded to one Australian and one New Zealand store each year that consistently upholds the highest standards of clinical excellence.
He said in determining the winners, Specsavers evaluated practices that consistently deliver exceptional patient outcomes, provide an outstanding patient experience, continually enhance store processes for quality eye care, promote accessible eye health, and foster a positive workplace culture.
“To select the finalists and winners, we analyse nationwide data collected through our clinical reporting, combining this information with patient feedback and health outcome data. We are delighted to crown Specsavers Beaudesert and Specsavers Masterton with this year’s award in recognition of their exceptional commitment to clinical care throughout the year.”
Dame Mary Perkins Award for Outstanding Patient Care
The Dame Mary Perkins Award for Outstanding Patient Care celebrates and recognises the extraordinary impact Specsavers optometrists have on the lives of their patients.
This year the awards were judged by industry professionals, Skye Cappuccio, CEO of Optometry Australia, Carly Iles, CEO of Vision 2020 Australia, and John Mulka, the Co-chair of Eye Health Aotearoa.
This year’s Dame Mary Perkins Award was presented to two optometrists who demonstrated an exceptional commitment to patient care, going above and beyond to make a positive difference: Laura Hou from Specsavers Salamander Bay and Alice Jackson from Specsavers Hornby.
Testament to Specsavers Values
Ms Cappuccio said the Awards are a testament to the values of patient care that Specsavers embodies.
“What an organisation acknowledges and celebrates matters – it sends a message about what they value. Celebrating people and practices who go the extra mile to support their patients, not only motivates those rewarded to maintain their quality of patient care, but encourages, and gives permission, for others to do so too,” she said.
Ms Iles added, “Dame Mary Perkins is well known for providing exceptional patient care, and these traits were the focus of my evaluation for the Dame Mary Perkins Award. We sought individuals who consistently put patients first and go above and beyond to deliver quality patient care and support to the local community.”
Mr Mulka said the Dame Mary Perkins Award continues to highlight the vital role optometrists play in the prevention of avoidable vision loss.
“It was my absolute pleasure to participate in judging this year’s awards. I found each submission very worthy and a difficult task to rate one over the other. I was quite moved by the evident passion and commitment of Specsavers optometrists and the empathy shown in each and every case. It’s a great reminder of the goodness of people.”
L-R: Dr Ben Ashby Clinical Services Director, Specsavers, Helen Haslett, Optometry Partner Specsavers Masterton and Nick Gidas, Head of Clinical Performance, Specsavers
L-R Dr Ben Ashby, Clinical Services Director, Specsavers, Millicent Healy, Specsavers Beaudesert and Nick Gidas, Head of Clinical Performance, Specsavers
L-R: Dr Ben Ashby Clinical Services Director, Specsavers, Specsavers Millicent Healy, Optometry Partner Specsavers Beaudesert, Helen Haslett, Optometry Partner Specsavers Masterton and Nick Gidas, Head of Clinical Performance, Specsavers
(L-R) Dr Ben Ashby, Director of Clinical Services, Specsavers, Laura Hou, Specsavers Salamander Bay, Lachlan Martin, Optometry Partner Specsavers Hornby and Cindy Nguyen, Head of Professional Services, Specsavers
Cindy Nguyen, Head of Professional Services, Specsavers and Lachlan Martin, Optometry Partner from Specsavers Hornby (accepting on behalf of Alice Jackson).
Cindy Nguyen, Head of Professional Services, Specsavers with Laura Hou from Specsavers Salamander Bay
