AOP Awards 2012 - Optometrist of the Year

Again this year Optometrist of the Year is sponsored by Topcon. OT asked managing director, Andy Yorke, why the instrument company is again supporting this award category and why it is urging people to nominate. Mr Yorke said: “Supporting the Optometrist of the Year is no doubt one of the highlights in the optometric calendar. We are extremely privileged to be continuing our sponsorship of this category and would encourage the profession to put forward nominees for this prestigious award.”

 

Last year’s winner, Newcastle-upon-Tyne practitioner Michael Offord, told OT that he was: “Honoured and humbled to be nominated and shortlisted for last year’s award, especially as it was his colleagues that nominated him.”

 

A graduate from Cardiff University, Mr Offord has always worked in the independent sector, opening his own practice in Kingston Park, Newcastle since 1981.

 

In his efforts to provide an excellent service to his patients, he is committed to giving them “superb eye care” he said, and is keen to ensure that his practice is fitted with the latest technology to enable this.

 

Continuing education and personal development is important to him, and he feels it is essential to pursue this goal, regularly attending conferences and courses. This enables him to keep up-to-date with the latest techniques, and ideas on eye conditions and appliances.

 

Mr Offord has been awarded a Masters degree in clinical optometry, having a special interest in nutrition and the eye. He also has Independent Prescribing status, which permits him to prescribe medication for any eye condition. He works one-day a week in the eye department of the Royal Victoria Infirmary, liaising with local eye specialists, which has been a valuable contribution to the practice.

 

He is an active committee member of the LOC, the North East Optical Society and the North East Contact Lens Society. He is interested in promoting optometry, whether through talking to local schools or to groups, and is dedicated to supporting those in the community he serves, getting involved by sponsoring local football, rugby and cricket teams, along with local events. His efforts to promote eye care aren’t limited to the UK either, as he travels abroad annually with Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) to examine eyes and give out recycled spectacles to those in need. He is an active member of VAO and encourages support for the charity by giving talks locally. 

 

If Mr Offord’s work sounds similar to yours or someone’s you know, nominate them now. 

 

Visit www.optometry.co.uk/awards to view all 16 AOP Award 2012 categories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

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