Meet the Team

Val has been a member of Orthoptics Australia (OA) since graduating in Sydney in 1985. For some 30 years, Val was an active member of OA in various state and federal council roles, including Federal President-Elect, President and Vice-President (2001 – 2006). In 1999 Val was the first recipient of the Paediatric Orthoptic Award and has published works in the Australian Orthoptic Journal. Val has been an instrumental player in many OA initiatives, including Strategic Planning of Federal OA, the Review of National Competition Forum, National Eye Care Project, Partnering with Vision2020, updating Professional Competency Standards for Australian Orthoptists and lobbying government bodies in an attempt to gain GST exemption for Australian orthoptists. In 2007, OA bestowed Val with the honour of Orthoptics Australia Fellow. Since graduating, Val’s clinical career has been diverse, including research /clinical trials, private orthoptic practice, disability, rehabilitation, education (associate lecturer at the University of Sydney in Orthoptics), low vision and private ophthalmic practice. One word for Val: enthusiastic

Sue graduated from Orthoptics in 1985 in Sydney and is an ongoing active member of Orthoptics Australia. Since then, she has lived and worked in Australia and overseas and is currently employed in the private ophthalmic sector in Canberra, ACT. Sue has a vast knowledge of orthoptic and ophthalmic practice, with particular expertise in the diagnosis and assessment of retinal conditions. She has presented at numerous national and state orthoptic meetings and is revered by her peers. One word for Sue: compassionate

Chris has been practising orthoptics for over 30 years and has been a member of Orthoptics Australia since graduating. She was an active member of OANSW Council for several years, also co-ordinating annual continuing education for 4 years. Her diverse experience in numerous clinical settings has equipped her with a strong knowledge and understanding of ocular anatomy and the techniques needed for assessing numerous eye conditions. In particular, Chris has worked with a number of retinal ophthalmologists, providing an extensive awareness of all things retinal. Chris has a unique way of explaining ocular conditions to her peers in a straightforward and uncomplicated fashion – 6over6 is fortunate to have Chris as one of our team members. One word for Chris: perceptive

Heather undertook her orthoptic studying and training in the UK. After graduating, Heather worked in Kirkcaldy, Scotland and then immigrated into Australia in 1979. Heather was an active member of Orthoptics Australia for many years, including in the roles of Queensland State Treasurer, National Treasurer and Federal President-Elect, President and Vice-President. Heather has also dedicated many years to the Girl Guide Association and is currently Queensland Assistant State Commissioner. Heather still practices orthoptics in both the public and private sectors – she is one of the busiest people around. Heather brings to 6over6 an awareness and understanding of orthoptic/ophthalmic practice both in Australia and overseas. One word for Heather: organised

Dr. Daniel Polya completed ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne and a fellowship in Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous at St Michael’s Hospital, the University of Toronto, Canada, where he was chief fellow. Dan has published manuscripts in international journals / books and has presented at several international ophthalmic and orthoptic meetings. Dan has completed a Master of Public Health and is a fellow of RANZCO and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dan’s sub-specialty is the retina and performs surgical and non-surgical retinal procedures in both the public and private sectors in Sydney and the NSW Central Coast. One word for Dan: focused

Dr Donaldson’s specialist qualification in ophthalmology was obtained at the Sydney Eye Hospital, with further sub-specialist training in strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. He is currently involved with registrar and medical student training and has lectured extensively in Australia and overseas, with numerous peer reviewed publications. He acts as the external examiner in General Ophthalmology for the Hong Kong College of Ophthalmology. Currently, Craig is a Staff Specialist at Westmead Children’s Hospital, visiting medical officer at Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Sydney Eye Hospital. Craig is co-director of Epping Eye Surgery (his private consulting rooms) and performs surgery in both public and private sectors. Craig continues a keen interest in general ophthalmology including cataract surgery, as well as his sub-speciality interest in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. One word for Craig: humble

Dr Peter Kim graduated from the University of NSW with Honours and completed his Ophthalmology training at Sydney Eye Hospital. He is a Staff Specialist and member of the Corneal Unit at the Sydney Eye Hospital and teaches Registrars and Fellows in Cataract and Corneal Surgery. Dr Kim has completed sub-specialty fellowship training in Cataract & Corneal Surgery at Sydney Eye Hospital; Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus in Vancouver, Canada; and Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Toronto, Canada. Peter has published over 40 articles in peer-reviewed international journals as well as two book chapters in his areas of expertise. He regularly presents at Australian and international meetings. In addition to being co-director at Epping Eye Surgery (his private consulting rooms), Peter also consults and performs surgery in both public and private clinics and hospitals throughout Sydney. One word for Peter: determined

Marcela has expertise in the field of business management and administration, with over 10 years of professional experience working overseas and in Australia. With a background in Project Management, Marcela works within 6over6 as the Business Development Manager to ensure the successful execution of development strategies. Marcela has a Master of Commerce with a specialisation in Human Resources Management, and a Master of International Business. One word for Marcela: achiever

Christine has been involved in both public and private health sectors for over 30 years. Initially a registered nurse, Chris specialised in ophthalmic nursing before branching into the corporate sector, with her last role as National Business Manager, Ophthalmology for one of Australia’s leading ophthalmic instrument companies. Christine has a diverse wealth of knowledge in all things ophthalmology, enabling her to provide 6over6 a patient, carer and community perspective in decision-making, service planning and improvement. One word for Chris: caring

Colin has worked in the IT industry for some 30 years. He has spent 20 years of his working life in Europe/Asia for 20 years. Since returning to Australia, he works with a multinational corporation managing a major client. His ambition with 6over6 is to automate as much of our operations as possible and not use paper. Colin looks after all the geeky stuff for our business (such as this website). One word for Colin: clever