EYE AND EAR - Key Persons
Associate Professor Brooks AM gained her FRANZCO in 1984, PhD in 1991 and an AM in 2021. Associate Professor Brooks has been an ophthalmologist at RVEEH since 1984, Head of the 3 Special Clinic since 1989, and was awarded the Board Chair's Medal in 2016. She has been awarded RANZCO's Victorian Trainer of Excellence Award ten times, published over 90 research papers as sole or first author in peer reviewed journals and given many presentations at local and international conferences. She was Secretary or Chair of the Australia and New Zealand Glaucoma Society for 30 years. In 2019 Associate Professor Brooks became the first female to be awarded the RANZCO College Medal. She and her husband have two daughters, both veterinarians.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Surgeon at the Royal Victorian Eye
Dr Ozdemir is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He completed the AMC and RACS fellowship examinations in Australia after obtaining his primary medical degree and specialist qualifications in Turkiye. Dr Ozdemir served as the Secretary and Chair of the ENT Section of Senior Medical Staff at our hospital for a number of years. He participates in multiple hospital committees and leadership activities. He has been actively involved in education and training of the JMS and is a member of the Regional Training Subcommittee of the Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, RACS.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead, Acute Ophthalmology Service
Dr Aaron Yeung joined the Eye and Ear Hospital in 2017 and has been one of the Clinical Leads of the Acute Ophthalmology Service since 2022.
Dr Yeung completed his ophthalmology training in the UK and underwent fellowship training in Medical Retina and Uveitis at Sydney Eye Hospital and Ocular Oncology at Emory Eye Center, USA and Sheffield Ocular Oncology Service, UK. His PhD was awarded in 2012 and was focused on ocular surface reconstruction. He has authored multiple research papers and has been invited to speak at international meetings.
He enjoys training the next generations of ophthalmologists within the Victorian training program.
Dr Yeung enjoys his weekends exploring Victoria with his wife and young family.
Dr Anne Cass trained in Otolaryngology/head and neck surgery in Melbourne with further subspecialty training in Otoneurology. Dr Cass has been the Head of the Head and Neck clinic at the Eye and Ear since 2004. She is an Examiner for the fellowship in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery and runs an ENT practice in Hamilton and Warrnambool.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer
The Executive Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer is responsible for professional leadership of the medical workforce. The role also has executive responsibility for medical training and education, the hospital's research strategy, and quality and improvement initiatives including those related to the redevelopment and the introduction of the electronic medical record. The role also provides oversight of the Data Integrity Framework and management of clinical datasets.
Dr Birinder Giddey is the Executive Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer and is responsible for leadership of the medical workforce. His role has executive responsibility for Medical Staff, including training and education as well as Clinical Governance, Research, Clinical Innovation and Pharmacy. He has held previous medical leadership roles at Western Health and Epworth Healthcare. Birinder holds a Master's Degree in Health Management and is Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators.
Job Titles:
- Director, Emergency Department, Chair of the Quality and Patient Safety Committee of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine
Dr Carmel Crock is the Eye and Ear's Director, Emergency Department, Chair of the Quality and Patient Safety Committee of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, and Chair of the Australia and New Zealand affiliate of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine. Dr Crock also received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) 2021 for service to emergency medicine and to medical education.
Associate Professor Crock has been part of the Eye and Ear team for over 20 years and is a passionate advocate of diagnostic excellence, shared decision-making, clinician wellbeing and the quality and safety of patient care.
Job Titles:
- Head of Diabetes
- Head, Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic
Dr Caroline Jung graduated from the University of Melbourne with Honours in 1999. She completed specialist physician training in Endocrinology in 2006. Dr Jung has completed the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) at the University of Melbourne 2011 on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Dr Jung is the Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology clinic (DEC) at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital which is a monthly clinic for internal referrals from other doctors for patients who currently do not have an Endocrinologist or Diabetes clinic involved in their care.
Dr Jung is a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye
Dr Catherine Green is Head of the Glaucoma Unit at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr Green has also been extensively involved in ophthalmic leadership, education and international development. She has served as a Director of the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO). She was an Examination Board Chair for RANZCO for many years before being appointed Dean of Education from 2017-19, following which she was Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Monash Institute for Health and Clinical Education until 2021.
Dr Christine Tangas is a Consultant Ophthalmologist. Dr Tangas trained in ophthalmology here at The Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. She is a General Ophthalmologist with a particular interest and expertise in cataract surgery and the use of premium toric and multifocal implants to correct astigmatism and presbyopia in suitable cases.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director, Ear Nose
- Clinical Director, Ear, Nose and Throat Services
- Member of the Rhinology Unit
The Clinical Director, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Services is responsible for ENT clinical and medical leadership. The role advises on models of care in ENT to support clinical excellence.
Dr Marty is a member of the Rhinology Unit as well as Administrative Services. He served as Head of Rhinology Unit for 16 years prior to his role as Clinical Director. He was previously Chair of the ENT Section of Senior Medical Staff and has been Chair of Drug and Therapeutics Committee for 25 years. Outside of the hospital, he is a member of the Aviation Medical Society and an active Pilot. He served 10 years as Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve before retirement.
Job Titles:
- Director of Anaesthesia
- Specialist
Dr David Ware is a Specialist Anaesthetist and the Director of the Department of Anaesthesia. He is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
After receiving his Medical Degree from the University of Melbourne, he trained to become a rural GP Anaesthetist/Obstetrician, working in Central Victoria. After several years he entered training to become a Specialist Anaesthetist through the Royal Melbourne Hospital, completing his Anaesthesia Fellowship in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a focus on Anaesthesia for Head and Neck procedures and Neurosurgery. After completion of his Fellowship he worked as a Staff Specialist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, a Visiting Medical Officer at the Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne and in private practice. In 2009 he was appointed Director of Anaesthesia at The Wollongong Hospital, NSW, before returning to Melbourne in 2014 as Director of Anaesthesia at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
In order to ensure the provision of high quality, patient centred care, he is responsible for the appointment, credentialing, performance and rostering of anaesthetists to the operating theatres and clinics. He has oversight of the required facilities and equipment in the hospital theatre area, plus the training of Anaesthetic Registrars and Provisional Fellows within the hospital to ensure the Standards of the College of Anaesthetists are met.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Head, Paediatric ENT
Dr Elizabeth Rose has been a Consultant Otolaryngologist at the Eye and Ear since 1995. From 1994-2021 she worked as a Consultant Otolaryngologist at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Dr Rose has also worked at the Royal Children's Hospital International and was involved in the development of a new Audiology service at the National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam.
She is a member of the University of Melbourne Department of Otolaryngology. Projects she has been involved in as a Senior Lecturer Royal Australasian College of Surgeons include:
Pacific Islands Project (Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu)
The Australia Timor-Leste Program of Assistance for Secondary Services
Advanced Surgical Training Committee
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Head, Surgical Ophthalmology Service
Dr Georgia Cleary is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, she works in the Corneal Unit, Acute Ophthalmology and Surgical Ophthalmology Services. Dr Cleary manages adults and children in her subspecialist and general ophthalmology practice. She is recognised by CASA as a Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist.
Dr Cleary qualified as a specialist ophthalmologist in London after 6 years of training within the London Speciality School of Ophthalmology, rotating through NHS hospitals in London Surrey, and Kent, UK. During her specialist training, she was awarded the Royal College of Ophthalmologist Crombie in the part 1 membership examination.
Her research background lies in cataract surgery and intraocular lens design. Dr Cleary received a Ph.D. from the University of Western Australia, in collaboration with Kings College London and St. Thomas' Hospital, London where her research was undertaken. Her work from this thesis was awarded numerous prizes at conferences in the UK, Europe, and the USA
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead, Surgical Opthalmology Service
- Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Dr John Manolopoulos gained FRANZCO in 1987, having completed his training at the Sydney Eye Hospital and The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital as a senior Registrar. He completed a postgraduate Master of Medicine from Melbourne University for research performed on Retinitis Pigmentosa Cataracts.
Dr Manolopoulos is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and attends a variety of conferences home and abroad. He is very keen to mentor registrars and young ophthalmologists along their journey. He has a wife and 2 children, both professionals.
Job Titles:
- Head of Oncology at the Royal Victorian Eye
- Head, Ocular Oncology
Dr John McKenzie is Head of Oncology at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He is a highly respected cataract specialist and ophthalmic surgeon with specialist interests in ocular oncology and paediatric ophthalmology.
Dr McKenzie performs the latest treatments for wet macular degeneration, vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy using intravitreal injections. He is also the Deputy Director of Ophthalmology at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Head of Ophthalmology at Western Health and is also a Professor of Ophthalmology.
Job Titles:
- Head of Ocular Genetics Clinic, Cons Ophthalmologist Glaucoma Investigation and Research Unit
Dr Jonathan Ruddle is an experienced Ophthalmologist with subspecialist skills in ocular genetics and glaucoma. He has led the Ocular Genetic Service since its establishment at the Eye and Ear hospital in collaboration with Genetics colleagues from The Royal Melbourne Hospital. He also has appointments in glaucoma and paediatric eye care.
Dr Ruddle's surgical expertise covers complex cataract and glaucoma surgery for all ages. He has vast experience in the medical treatment and laser care of glaucoma and has enjoyed training many of his colleagues in these areas
Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, cycling and visiting places of natural beauty.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Lead, Acute Ophthalmology Service
Dr Wells then completed her residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa and became an Associate Examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology. Her busy American private practice was complimented by several teaching awards.
In 1997, Dr Wells migrated to Melbourne with her Australian husband and 2 children. Following completion of the Australian Ophthalmologic Fellowship Examination, she was awarded the College Gold Medal for Excellence. She has maintained a significant teaching and mentoring commitment at the Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr Wells has been an examiner for the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists. She currently works as a consultant ophthalmologist in the Emergency Department and is a co-director of the Acute Ophthalmology Clinic at the Eye and Ear Hospital.
Dr Wells is actively involved in developing Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Emergency Department and has been closely involved in the planning and redevelopment of the Eye and Ear Hospital since its beginning
Job Titles:
- Head, Neuro Ophthalmology
Job Titles:
- Head, Ocular Motility Clinic
Dr Kowal had specialised training in Strabismus in the USA in 1986-7 and has been Head of the Ocular Motility Clinic at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital since 1992. He has a large national and international influence on strabismus teaching and research, including training numerous Australian and international ophthalmologists in strabismus.
Job Titles:
- Head of Ocular Diagnostics at the Royal Victorian Eye
- Head, Ocular Diagnostics
Dr Marc Sarossy is an ophthalmologist and Head of Ocular Diagnostics at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He completed his PhD from the University of Melbourne in the electrophysiology of glaucoma. He is an Editorial Board Member of the journal Eye and a member of the International Society for the Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision. Dr Sarossy has research appointments at the Centre for Eye Research Australia and RMIT University and teaches at the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Director, Ophthalmology Services
- Clinical Director, Ophthalmology Services - MBBS, FRANZCO
The Clinical Director, Ophthalmology Services is responsible for ophthalmology clinical and medical leadership. The role advises on models of care in ophthalmology that are sustainable and lead to excellence.
Job Titles:
- Supervisor, General Ophthalmology Fellows
Job Titles:
- Director of Training, Ophthalmology
Dr Devanesen held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Yooralla until February 2021. Before joining Yooralla in January 2014, Dr Devanesen was Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Health. With over 30 years' experience in the management of health services and medical administration, her experience has provided her with a strong reputation in consumer consultation and engagement and in achieving quality outcomes for human and community services. Dr Devanesen is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Fellow of the Hong Kong College of Community Medicine and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Devanesen is currently a member of the Northern Health Board and a member of the Northern Territory Health Governance and Assurance Committee.
Job Titles:
- Medical Practitioner and Specialist Medical Administrator
Dr Susan Sdrinis is a medical practitioner and specialist medical administrator. She has held roles as Executive Director Medical Services and Director Medical Services in Victorian public hospitals, and as a Senior Medical Advisor in the Victorian Department of Health. Her interests are in the areas of clinical governance, medical governance and professional issues, and mentoring clinician managers and medical administrators in training. Dr Sdrinis is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also currently a member of the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner Advisory Council and a board member of Barwon Health.
Job Titles:
- Head of Unit, Orbital Plastics & Lacrimal ( OPAL ) Unit
Job Titles:
- Chairman, Senior Medical Staff Eye Section
Job Titles:
- Chairman, Senior Medical Staff ENT Section
Associate Professor Jean-Marc Gerard is an ENT consultant at the Eye and Ear and the head of the Otology Unit. Prior to moving to Melbourne, Associate Professor Gerard created and managed the Otology Unit at the Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi and worked as the Head of the Otology and Neurotology Department at the University Hospital Saint-Luc in Brussels. Academically, Associate Professor Gerard was appointed Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer - B App Sc ( HIM ), MHA ( UNSW )
The Chief Executive Officer is accountable to the Board for executive leadership and management of operational, policy and strategic goals. These are agreed with the board and are set in accordance with the Victorian Government Department of Health's funding, planning and regulatory framework.
Bruce has an extensive background in governance at a public sector and community level. He served as the State MP for Footscray for 14 years, including seven years as Parliamentary Secretary to Premier and nine years as a City of Footscray Councillor. In the health sector he served on the board of a primary health service for more than 20 years. He also chaired the board of the largest residential aged care service in the western suburbs for nine years, led a review of mental health workforce training, and has been a board member of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and a metropolitan hospital. Beyond these involvements, Bruce is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was a senior manager in the Victorian public service before entering parliament.
Mr Ryan has extensive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) management expertise within the Victorian public health sector and within other Victorian government settings. He has worked with the Department of Health and Human Services to assist with delivery of large-scale ICT enabled projects, and worked closely with Eastern Health during the redevelopment of the Box Hill Hospital and commissioning of an advanced EMR there. He is also a former Chief Information Officer at Yooralla.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer - B.Bus
The Executive Director, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the management of corporate services, financial reporting, analysis, controls, budgeting and treasury.
Mr Anderson brings a wealth of experience in finance and audit. He has held senior finance positions within the Departments of Water Resources, Health and Human services within the Victorian Government over 20 years and was Executive Director of Finance at Peninsula Health for 16 years to 2018. He has recently undertaken work for the Department of Health and Healthshare Victoria and is a Director of the newly constituted Grampians Health comprising Ballarat, Edenhope, Horsham and Stawell. He has a demonstrated commitment to the wider community and roles include being a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and previously Treasurer of the State-wide Autistic Society (Vic).
Mr Vander-Kuyp joined the Board in August 2023 and brings a wealth of experience across government, corporate, not-for-profits and community organisations. Mr Vander-Kuyp is an Elder and Respected Person at Koori Court. He is a strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Culture, travelling extensively to provide mentorship, development opportunities, and cultural support for Indigenous youth. Mr Vander-Kuyp is a former athlete who represented Australia at the Olympics and every major international competition over a 20-year career. Since then, he has held positions across many organisations including as an Ambassador to the Department of Health where he raised awareness for better access to services such as Medicare, Australian Hearing and Centrelink. In addition, he is the Founder and CEO at Killara Foundation, an Ambassador and Speaker at Beyond Blue, a Director at Connecting Home, Leader of Indigenous Programs at Athletics Australia and a Facilitator of RAP Working Groups.
Mr Brewin is an experienced non-executive director holding several health-related board appointments, including Uniting Agewell Ltd and Guardian Network. He is experienced in corporate and clinical governance, risk & compliance and strategy. Previously, Mr Brewin held senior appointments within the Victorian healthcare sector including executive director roles at Alfred Health, Monash Health and Peninsula Health. Mr Brewin is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, past state branch president of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital nominee as Director to the Board of CERA.
Ms Hider joined the Eye and Ear Board in July 2021 and is a Partner at the leading legal firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Since 2018 Ms Hider has been a member of the Corrs' Board and the Audit and Risk Management Committee. Ms Hider has over 20 years' experience in construction and infrastructure, as well as government advisory practice. She specialises in government major projects and procurement, commercial development, transport and energy. She has experience in all forms of procurement, collaborative models and consultancy arrangements. Ms Hider works with clients to structure their approaches to market, and gives tendering and probity advice. She is regularly asked to peer review delivery models and project documentation, and to investigate probity compliance. Ms Hider has also worked with government agencies to develop and implement supply and procurement policies. She is also actively involved in the firm's pro bono program and provides assistance to a range of pro bono clients including Very Special Kids.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Operations and Chief Nurse Officer
The Executive Director of Operations and Chief Nurse Officer is responsible for overseeing all clinical operations for the organisation including surgical and inpatient services, the Emergency Department, and ambulatory service delivery. As Chief Nursing Officer, the role also has professional responsibility and leadership for all nursing staff, the clinical competence framework, and nurse education.
Ms Hornsey is a past General Manager for Organisational Transformation at Vision Australia, a provider of services for people who are blind or have low vision. Previously, she was Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Tasmania for nine years, has worked as a journalist and political adviser and has many years' experience in public administration. She had a leadership role in changing Tasmania's old economy. This involved the first whole-of-State consultation in Australia, and reached most of the population in many old and new forums. She and a colleague from the ABS were invited to the annual OECD Conference in Palermo to present the resulting Strategic Plan to be measured and implemented over decades. She has held many statutory board directorships, including Western Health. Previousely, she was a member of the Parenting Research Centre Board and its Governance Committee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director, People and Communication - BSc, MEd ( RC ), GradDipHRMngt, FAHRI
The Executive Director, People and Communication provides leadership and support to functions including: People and Culture, Marketing and Communications, Organisational Development, Payroll Services, Employee Support Services, Safety and Wellbeing and the Library Services.
Susan Carden is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Melbourne. As an ophthalmologist, she works at the Eye and Ear Hospital and the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH). Her ophthalmology training was done at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. After a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at RCH, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, where she completed an accredited AAPOS fellowship at the Children's Hospital Medical Centre and the University of Cincinnati. Associate Professor Susan Carden attended Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco as a visiting scientist. Her doctorate titled ‘Retinopathy of prematurity in a transitional economy: Comparisons and Contrasts with Developed Countries' is from the University of Melbourne. This thesis examined developing and managing a screening program for ROP in Hanoi, Vietnam. It documented the high prevalence of ROP in babies (including the near-term) exposed to unregulated oxygen therapy. Building on experience from Vietnam, Associate Professor Carden has advised UNICEF in efforts to establish ROP screening in Papua New Guinea. She has contributed to international ophthalmology textbook chapters and was a clinical investigator for the oxygen safety trial in preterm babies - the STOP-ROP study. As head of the Education Vision Assessment Clinic (EVAC), she works in a team to ensure that children with low vision and blindness have access to the curriculum at their chosen school.