NQ Eye Foundation
Improve eye health
in North Queensland
NQ Eye Foundation believes that everyone should have access to high quality eye care
What we do
It is estimated that up to 90% of vision impairment is preventable or treatable if detected early (Foreman, et al., 2016).
As a locally-based not-for-profit organisation we are deeply committed to promoting better eye health for North Queenslanders. We are dedicated to supporting excellence in eye healthcare delivery through driving collaborative research, supporting workforce development, and enabling access to cutting-edge treatments.
About us
The NQ Eye Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors, a panel of experts with backgrounds in law, finance, research and medicine.
The Board’s key role is to provide governance, strategic direction, risk management and prudent use of your donations. They are the guardians of our mission to improve eye health outcomes for North Queenslanders.
Clinical research
targeting regional care
Serving community
no matter where you reside
Sustainable workforce
for North Queensland
A regional centre for cutting edge eye research
A research culture is at the core of our Foundation. Our research activities are driven by a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of our region. Clinical research will be focused toward achieving outcomes that can improve current standards of care or identify novel treatment modalities across a range of ophthalmic conditions.
We are currently working on developing Teleophthalmology solutions to support eye healthcare delivery across our region and help patients like John receive care without needing to leave his property.
Delivering eye health care where it is needed
We know that our community has a high need for quality care. Compared to those who live in major cities, people in regional and remote areas experience poorer health outcomes (AIHW, 2019). Furthermore, Indigenous Australians in outer-regional areas, compared to inner-regional areas, are more likely to have vision impairment (Foreman, et al., 2016).
We are focused on identifying areas of need and supporting individuals to receive care through our projects. This includes supporting doctors and donating medication and equipment to address those target areas.
Growing our future workforce, in North Queensland
Delivering high quality care requires highly trained doctors.
We are passionate about enabling training for local aspiring ophthalmologists to ensure a sustainable workforce for our region. We also aim to support local eye health practitioners deliver the best care through education about new treatments and cutting-edge research.
Clinical research
targeting regional care
A regional centre for cutting edge eye research
A research culture is at the core of our Foundation. Our research activities are driven by a collaborative approach to meeting the needs of our region. Clinical research will be focused toward achieving outcomes that can improve current standards of care or identify novel treatment modalities across a range of ophthalmic conditions.
We are currently working on developing Teleophthalmology solutions to support eye healthcare delivery across our region and help patients like John receive care without needing to leave his property.
Servicing communities
no matter where you reside
Delivering eye health care where it is needed
We know that our community has a high need for quality care. Compared to those who live in major cities, people in regional and remote areas experience poorer health outcomes (AIHW, 2019). Furthermore, Indigenous Australians in outer-regional areas, compared to inner-regional areas, are more likely to have vision impairment (Foreman, et al., 2016).
We are focused on identifying areas of need and supporting individuals to receive care through our projects. This includes supporting doctors and donating medication and equipment to address those target areas.
Sustainable workforce
for North Queensland
Growing our future workforce
Delivering high quality care requires highly trained doctors.
We are passionate about enabling training for local aspiring ophthalmologists to ensure a sustainable workforce for our region. We also aim to support local eye health practitioners deliver the best care through education about new treatments and cutting-edge research.
Board of Directors
Dr Todd Goodwin is an Ophthalmic Specialist and Townsville-local. Todd was trained at James Cook University before completing Ophthalmology specialist training in Brisbane. Todd travels to regional areas in Queensland including Cape York, Longreach and Mt Isa as well as overseas to Myanmar and Nepal to deliver eye care to isolated and disadvantaged people.
Todd is committed to enabling the best quality eye care in North Queensland by contributing to a regional centre for research and training.
Dr Thomas Campbell is a clinician scientist at the Coastal Eye Centre and Sunshine Coast University Hospital. He is also an honorary Consultant at Victorian Ear and Eye Hospital and Researcher at Centre for Eye Research Australia and University of Melbourne. Thomas has expertise in ophthalmology, medical statistics, evidence-based medicine, and medicine in the developing world.
Thomas is focused on enabling outreach ophthalmic care to Indigenous Australians and those in resource-poor countries.
Mr Julian Farrugia is currently the Project Manager, Aurukun Bauxite Project with Glencore. Julian has spent many years working as a Solicitor, Corporate Counsel and Legal Manager across a range of industries. As a Director of NQ Eye Foundation, Julian will provide his legal expertise on an as-needs basis.
Mr Shane Morgan is a Chartered Accountant at Cutcher & Neale Accountants. Shane has worked extensively with clients in the medical industry and has assisted many practitioners in planning and structuring their businesses, improving their financial performance and structuring for business succession. As a Director of NQ Eye Foundation, Shane will provide expertise on matters relating to accounting and financial reporting.
Ms Lisa Penrose is an Optometrist and Researcher with extensive experience in the design, planning, management, and evaluation of eye health services. Lisa currently delivers eye health services across regional and remote Queensland and is committed to improving eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Lisa is focused on developing innovative models of care to improve access to eye health care and deliver successful outcomes to those in regional areas.
Mr Ian Smythe has been engaged in senior management and strategic leadership roles at large organisations such as TAFE Queensland, Ronald McDonald House, and Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles for more than two decades. Currently, he is Dean at Aviation Australia, Riyadh College. Ian has a strong track-record of delivering solutions to diverse challenges for the North Queensland community.
Ian will support NQ Eye Foundation by providing leadership in the areas of optimising organisational capability, community engagement, and performance review and development.
Get Involved
Are you a business interested in supporting North Queensland? Talk to us about how we can partner with your business on corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Are you a clinician, local health care professional or researcher? Talk to us about how we might partner on interesting research projects or initiatives.
Would you like to participate in cutting edge research? Contact us to hear about how we can help you improve your skills and knowledge in the eye research field.
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