Get to Know Us
Get to know a little more about Our Team, our journey, and the driving force behind Women in Vision for Aotearoa.
FOUNDER
Professor Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer
MBChB, MD, PhD, FRANZCO
Helen Danesh-Meyer is the first female Professor of Ophthalmology in New Zealand and holds the Sir William and Lady Stevenson Chair in Ophthalmology and Head of Academic Neurophthalmology and Glaucoma. Brief Introduction As an internationally recognised leader, Prof.Helen Danesh-Meyer has been awarded Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ophthalmology. She is one of seven new knights and dames appointed nationwide in 2026. Prof. Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer was the youngest appointed professor at the University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and one of the few women who is professor in a surgical speciality. Helen is clinician-scientist that divides her time equally between patient care/surgery and research. She has published approximately 200 paper in glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmology and authored several textbooks and chapters and raised over $15M in grant funding. Several of her research findings have impacted clinical practice and her research has been featured in the New Scientist. She mentored over 20 clinical and research fellows. She is active teaching and education and regularly lectures nationally and internationally. She is the international representative on the American Academy Basic Clinical Science Course (Neuro-ophthalmology), has served as an Examiner for the RANZCO Examinations, and has developed a web- based glaucoma education programme. She has achieved numerous ‘firsts’ for NZ ophthalmologist: first NZ member of the international Glaucoma Research Society (membership determined by research contribution to the field), the first NZ ophthalmologist to be Visiting Professor at Harvard Fall Festival, first Australian or NZ to be appointed to the American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic Clinical Science Course, first female Chair of the RANZCO Scientific Programme Committee, and first NZ ophthalmologist to serve on the Editorial Board of American Journal of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology. Helen is also an active contributor to the wider community. She is the only New Zealand Ophthalmologist to have been awarded the Paul Harris Award by Rotary for her service to the community. She is a Founding Trustee and Chair of Glaucoma New Zealand, a charitable trust to prevent blindness from glaucoma. She is also on the Executive Advisory Committee for Word Glaucoma Association. She is also presently the Chair of Women in Ophthalmology for RANZCO.
FOUNDER
Dr. Liz Insull
MBChB, BSc (Neuroscience), FRANZCO, ANZSOPS, NZSCM
Dr Liz Insull is an ophthalmologist, oculoplastic surgeon, and co-founder of Women in Vision Aotearoa. Based in Hawke's Bay, she works at Eye Institute across Hawke's Bay and Wellington. A strong advocate for leadership, mentorship, equity, and regional healthcare, Liz is the former Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Hawke's Bay Hospital and was the first female Chair of the New Zealand Branch of RANZCO. She is committed to creating opportunities for others to thrive and supporting the next generation of women leaders in eye care. Dr Liz Insull is an ophthalmologist, oculoplastic surgeon, and co-founder of Women in Vision Aotearoa. Based in Hawke's Bay, she works at Eye Institute across Hawke's Bay and Wellington, where her clinical practice encompasses cataract surgery as well as oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery. She is committed to improving access to specialist eye care for regional communities and believes that geography should never be a barrier to excellent healthcare. After completing medical and ophthalmology training in New Zealand, Liz undertook advanced oculoplastic fellowship training in the United Kingdom before returning home to practise in Aotearoa. A strong advocate for leadership, mentorship and equity, Liz previously served as Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Hawke's Bay Hospital and went on to become the first female Chair of the New Zealand Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO). Her contributions to leadership and education have been recognised through the Heather G. Mack Scholarship for Women in Leadership and the New Zealand Ophthalmology Trainees' Trainer of Excellence Award. At her core, Liz believes in leaving things better than she found them. Whether through patient care, leadership, advocacy or mentorship, she is driven by a desire to create opportunities for others, strengthen healthcare systems and support the next generation of leaders. Her work has focused on improving equity, fostering inclusive cultures and ensuring more people can access the care and opportunities they need to thrive. Liz's commitment to Women in Vision is shaped not only by her professional experiences but also by her personal journey. She began ophthalmology training with two young daughters aged just six months and two years and understands first-hand the challenges of balancing career ambitions, leadership and family life. Women in Vision was founded on the belief that women should not have to navigate those challenges alone. Outside medicine, Liz is an endurance athlete who recently completed Ironman 70.3 Taupō and has finished several ultramarathons. Her greatest inspiration, however, remains her two daughters, who continue to remind her why creating opportunities for women matters.
FOUNDER
Dr. Pragnya Jagadish
MBBS, FRANZCO
Dr. Pragnya recently graduated with FRANZCO and currently undertaking fellowships in refractive surgery at the prestigious London Vision Clinic and is due to start her second fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. She completed her final year of training in Monash, Melbourne, specialising in complex cataract surgery and medical retina. She is a strong advocate for wellbeing, improving diversity and creating a change in the culture of medicine. She is on the board for RANZCO Women in Ophthalmology as well as Cultural curriculum committee. Pragy has a creative streak and working towards launching a podcast in 2026!
MEMBER
Dr. Ruhella Hossain
BA, MSc, MBBS, MD
Dr Ruhella Hossain is a New Zealand–based ophthalmology trainee registrar with a background in clinical research. She is passionate about reducing health inequities, advancing diversity, and fostering supportive environments that promote leadership and wellbeing within the eye health workforce. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors across New Zealand and loves to travel.
MEMBER
Dr. Joevy Lim
MBChB, BMedSci(Hons), PhD
Dr. Joevy Lim is a New Zealand-based RANZCO trainee and a clinician-scientist. A graduate of the University of Auckland (MBChB, BMedSci Hons), she was the recipient of the prestigious Health Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship for her doctoral thesis, ‘A Contemporary Appraisal on Ocular Melanoma in New Zealand (Aotearoa),’ which was notably awarded a PhD without corrections. Having grown up in both Malaysia and Aotearoa, Joevy brings a nuanced, multicultural perspective to her practice. She leverages her diverse background to advocate against health inequities and gender disparities, striving to create a more inclusive future for the profession. Beyond the hospital, Joevy’s life is anchored by family adventures with her husband, toddler, and their spirited golden retriever.
MEMBER
Dr. Verona Botha
Credentials
Dr Verona Botha is an ophthalmologist specialising in oculoplastic and orbital surgery based in Waikato. She completed her medical training at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, before relocating to New Zealand. She undertook ophthalmology training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), working across a number of ophthalmology departments throughout Aotearoa, and has completed multiple international fellowships including at the West of England Eye Unit and the University Hospital of Wales. Verona is a member of multiple committees of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), including the executive committee of the New Zealand branch of RANZCO, as well as the executive committee of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons (ANZSOPS). She has also chaired the organising committee for the RANZCO NZ Branch Annual Scientific Meeting for 2025 and 2026. Passionate about education, mentorship, and advancing excellence in ophthalmology, Verona is deeply committed to training the next generation of clinicians and fostering collaborative learning within the profession. Outside of work, Verona can usually be found photographing wildlife, exploring new corners of the world, and seeking out her next great adventure.
