Christina Awad with Nerlya Jolly.
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has recognised the “excellence and passion for learning” shown by orthoptics students and graduates at its annual Scholarship and Prize Evening.
Award winners, their families, supporters, and industry members, were welcomed to the event by Associate Professor Amanda French, current head of Discipline of Orthoptics.
Providing context for the evening, Toby Newton- John, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Head of the Graduate School of Health (GSH), described the GSH, of which orthoptics is a part, as “the boutique school in the faculty” and “the jewel in the crown of the faculty of health”.
“Predominantly we are Postgraduate only courses, Master’s level training in six different allied health professions: clinical psychology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, genetic counselling, and of course health topics. It’s a unique school and as far as we know, it’s the only one of its kind in the country.
The GHS currently has 1,192 students, a “thriving PhD program” with 64 students, and is a “research powerhouse”.
“So GSH is a good place for orthoptics to be and the GSH is very lucky to have orthoptists as part of our school,” Prof Newton John said.
He described UTS Orthoptics academics as “a team of really dedicated, really passionate academics who genuinely care… and work very hard to support their students becoming high quality graduates”.
He acknowledged the “incredible legacy that Professor Kathryn Rose left” having led the discipline from its formation in 2012 through to her retirement in early 2024 and recognised the contribution of the new Head of Orthoptics, Assoc Prof French.
PRIZE WINNERS
The 2023 Lance / Jolly Prize for achieving the highest average mark in the orthoptics course, was presented to Christina Awad (new graduate).
Other prize recipients were:
2023 Orthoptics Australia Prize: Taylor Truong (new graduate).
2023 ODMA Richard Grills Memorial Prize: Assmaa Ahmed Khamis Ekila (new graduate).
2024 Frank Martin Orthoptics Scholarship: Katherine Le (current first year).
2024 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptic Scholarship (Refugee background): Romina Mohajer Oroumieh (current first year).
2024 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptic Scholarship (Geographical background): Jesse Warner (current first year).
PAST RECIPIENT PRESENTATIONS
Rounding out the evening, two previous recipients of the Frank Martin scholarship spoke about their experiences as young orthoptists.
Taylor Truong, who was awarded her scholarship 2022, said that through her studies and her work with patients she learnt “that the true impact of an orthoptist comes from an unwavering preparedness, dedication, and willingness to help those who need help”.
“My role as an orthoptist is an incredible reminder of the privilege that I have to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients that I see. I’m still so deeply grateful for the generosity of Professor (Frank) Martin for the opportunity that he provided me to pursue my passion in orthoptics… As I continue my orthoptic journey, I carry with me the values of healthcare that my supervisors, teachers, and peers have helped instil within me.”
A second past recipient, Elias Helou, who was unable to attend due to ill health, thanked Prof Martin for his support via a message read by Mara Giribaldi, an Associate Lecturer and External Liaison Officer within the Orthoptics Discipline.
“This award was not just a financial aid to further my education, but a testament to the belief and investment that you, the benefactors and selection committee have placed in my potential and future endeavours. The scholarship represented a vote of confidence in my abilities, dreams, and aspirations,” Mr Helou said.
His message continued, “the investment that Professor Martin made in my education… serves as a powerful driving force, encouraging me to give 120% in learning about every diagnosis, testing, procedure, and management method, which will maximise my abilities to one day, tend to individuals who need the services we as orthoptists provide”.
