Founders
The Driving Force Behind Women In Vision Aotearoa
In 2022, while on a run, Liz came up with the idea to create a platform of unwavering support to female trainees in the field of ophthalmology. She joined forces with Prof.Helen-Danesh Meyer, who has long been a pioneer behind women's empowerment in ophthalmology and the only female Professor in ophthalmology NZ. She confided her thoughts to, Pragy Jagadish, who was then her trainee and equally passionate about culture change. The three of them, then came up with "Women in Vision".
The platform has since expanded to foster professional and personal growth among all women in ophthalmology (including optometry), provide a safe and secure community of like-minded individuals to empower and innovate change in the workplace.
Helen Danesh-Meyer, MBChB, MD, PhD, FRANZCO 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 Neuro- phthalmology and Glaucoma.
Optholmology Professor
Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer
Brief Introduction
She 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.
Dr. Liz Insull
Dr. Liz Insull is the NZ Chair of RANZCO and New Zealand and UK trained Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic surgeon based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Brief Introduction
Graduating from the University of Otago in 2006 with an MB ChB and BSC (Neuroscience) degree, Liz gained specialist Ophthalmic training in Dunedin and Auckland and sub-specialty fellowship experience at The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford in the United Kingdom. Liz is the only member of the Australian, New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons (ANZSOPS) in Hawke’s Bay.
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Liz is the Clinical Director for Ophthalmology at Hawke’s Bay Hospital and is Vice-Chair on the New Zealand branch executive of RANZCO. She sits on the Women in Ophthalmology advisory board and is a recent addition to the Maori and Pacific Eye Health Committee, working closely Kapo Maori Aotearoa. Liz was awarded 2021 ‘Trainer of Excellence’ by trainees in RANZCO’s New Zealand network.
In her spare time Liz is training for the 'Old Ghost Road' ultramarathon in February and spending time with her girls Scarlett and Ruby and husband Francis.
Dr. Pragnya (Pragy) is a final year vocational trainee in Ophthalmology. She has recently completed her Part 2 ‘RACE’ examinations and currently is undertaking a fellowship in sub-specialty medical retina training in Monash, Melbourne. 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 aimed at Ophthalmology trainees.
Member
Dr. Pragnya Jagadish
