Celebrating our incredible students and graduates at the UTS Orthoptics Scholarship and Prize night.
The annual Orthoptics Prize and Scholarship evening is a chance to celebrate the achievements of our students and graduates from the orthoptics discipline at the UTS Graduate School of Health.
This year’s event was a wonderful celebration and an opportunity to highlight the professional and academic achievements of our students and graduates.
We are pleased to announce the winners of our scholarships and prizes.
The Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarships
The late Dr Con Moshegov's legacy is extraordinary. He was an Honorary Associate in the UTS discipline of orthoptics and had a profound passion for mentorship, contributing significantly to teaching and nurturing of orthoptists in the workplace. He mentored UTS orthoptics students as a clinical placement partner and through lectures in the ocular pathology subjects.
The Dr Con Moshegov Memorial scholarships will ensure the incredible impact he had in the industry, continues for many years to come in the way of supporting UTS orthoptics students who are geographically challenged or with a refugee background to succeed in this rewarding and vital field.
The 2023 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarship – Geographical Disadvantage was awarded to Sangjun (Samuel) Kim.
The 2023 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarship - Refugee Background was awarded to Majida Alajia.
Majida Alajia, recipient of the 2023 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarship - Refugee Background, with Natalie Moshegov and Julian Moshegov.
Sangjun Kim, recipient of the 2023 Dr Con Moshegov Orthoptics Scholarship – Geographical Disadvantage, with Julian Moshegov and Natalie Moshegov.
Frank Martin Orthoptics Scholarship
The Frank Martin Orthoptics Scholarship was established to support students commencing in the Master of Orthoptics program. Professor Frank Martin is an internationally eminent paediatric ophthalmologist who has long history of encouraging the growth of orthoptics in Australia.
The 2023 Frank Martin Scholarship was awarded to Elias Helou.
Elias Helou, 2023 recipient, with Professor Frank Martin
Katoomba Parke Scholarship
Katoomba Parke Street Specialist Centre has been part of the community for over 10 years. Dr Paul Adler as founder, alongside Dr Sophia Lahz and their dedicated specialists, provide services to their local community and surrounding areas.
The Katoomba Parke scholarship is awarded to the student who has demonstrated at application and interview, a passion to pursue an orthoptic career in rural and remote practice.
The 2023 Katoomba Parke Scholarship was awarded to Poa Yin Leung.
Poa Yin Leung, recipient of the 2023 Katoomba Parke Scholarship, with Dr Paul Adler.
Lance/Jolly Prize
This Lance/Jolly prize was initially established in 2004 as the Patricia Lance Prize, by donations from friends and colleagues of Patricia Mary Lance, MBE.
In 2012, additional funds were contributed to the prize by Neryla Jolly on her retirement after over 40 years of service to orthoptic education. During this time the name of the prize was changed to the Lance/Jolly Prize. From 2016, this prize is awarded annually to the student with the highest average mark in the orthoptic course.
The winner of the 2022 Lance/Jolly Prize was awarded to Danni Nguyen, a recent graduate who is currently working at Central Sydney Eye Surgeons.
Danni Nguyen, winner of 2022 Lance/Jolly Prize, with Neryla Jolly.
Orthoptics Australia Prize
Orthoptics Australia is the national professional organisation that represents orthoptic members across Australia. The Orthoptics Australia Prize is awarded annually to the student with the highest overall mark in Professional Practice subjects in their final year of the course.
The 2022 Orthoptics Australia prize was awarded to Danni Nguyen, who dedicated and delivered part of her speech to her parents in Vietnamese.
Danni Nguyen, winner of 2022 Orthoptics Australia Prize, with Dr Amanda French, Orthoptics Australia President.
Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) Richard Grills AM Memorial Prize
Donated by ODMA, this prize is in memory and recognition of the career-long contribution of Richards Grills AM to the eye care industry, including orthoptics. Richard delivered lectures in optics to our master students and was a long-term member of the UTS Orthoptic Industry Advisory Board.
This prize is awarded to the student who achieves the highest cumulative mark in two subjects: Clinical Management of Refractive Error, & Therapy, Management and Rehabilitation.
The 2022 ODMA Richard Grills AM Memorial Prize was awarded to orthoptics graduate, Ms Melinda Mo. Melinda is currently working at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital and was also the 2021 Frank Martin Scholarship recipient.
ODMA board director, Mark Altman with 2022 ODMA Richard Grills Memorial Prize winner, Melinda Mo.
Congratulations to all scholarship and prize recipients on your outstanding academic and professional achievements. A big thank you to our scholarship and prize donors who continue to support the Graduate School of Health at UTS.
Learn more about Orthoptics at UTS