Honours and awards at diploma ceremony
Dr Andy Hepworth with his Honorary Fellowship
The College of Optometrists has welcomed more than 500 new optometrists to the profession in two College Diploma Ceremonies in Westminster, London.
The event saw seven Life Fellowships bestowed along with two Honorary Fellowships awarded to dispensing opticians – Fiona Anderson and Dr Andy Hepworth.
Fiona was commended for having demonstrated huge commitment to the field of optometry as a regional and group training manager at the General Optical Council. She has held several roles at ABDO and served as its president for two years. She was also elected as president of the International Opticians Association and appointed to the European Council of Optometry.
Dr Andy Hepworth was commended for having “worked tirelessly over 25 years to bring together clinicians, scientists and technicians. His work has widely benefitted many people in underserved communities”. As chair of the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians, Andy worked on encouraging the technical understanding of new product innovations in trainees and established practitioners. His work with Aston Villa Football Club’s Villa Vision programme has helped deliver a programme of eye health awareness to children living in areas with some of the highest levels of relative inequality in the UK.
Life Fellowships were awarded to optometrists Dr Mark Bullimore, Lisa Donaldson, Bill Harvey, Professor Nicola Logan, Professor Shahina Pardhan, Professor Nicholas Rumney and Dr Margaret Woodhouse.
Fiona Anderson with her Honorary Fellowship
The College also awarded a new Fellowship by Portfolio to Amanda Davidson in recognition of her achievement in the workplace and outstanding contributions to furthering excellence in the practice of optometry.
The event also included the presentation of the College’s prestigious Research Excellence Awards, which recognise the outstanding work of talented and committed individuals working in the fields of optometry, optics, and vision science.
Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College of Optometrists, commented: “The Diploma Ceremonies mark a significant milestone in qualified optometrists’ professional careers, and also as new members of the College of Optometrists.
“As their professional body, the College will ensure they have access to the resources, guidance and professional development needed for them to meet their professional goals. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for over 500 new optometrists, and I extend my congratulations to them all. We wish them every success in their future careers in optometry.”