On Tuesday 11 February, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Eye and Ear) were delighted to host the 30th Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, for a tour of our hospital.
As Patron, Her Excellency visited the Eye and Ear for the first time since her 2023 inauguration. The visit showcased the Eye and Ear’s achievements in research, collaboration and patient care. Our hospital was first given royal patronage in 1960 by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 1961 our hospital’s name changed from The Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital to The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
Her Excellency was accompanied on a tour of the hospital’s recently redeveloped Education Precinct by Board Chair Dr Sherene Devanesen AM and Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gardner.
Along her tour, Her Excellency met with clinical leaders and visited the new Surgical Skills Lab and Virtual Simulation Centre. These state-of-the-art facilities provide ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, and anaesthetists with advanced training to refine both their practical and theoretical skills.
Her Excellency learned about the Eye and Ear’s groundbreaking gene therapy work from Dr Tom Edwards, a Vitreoretinal surgeon and Principal Investigator and Head of Retinal Gene Therapy Research at the Centre for Eye Research (CERA). The presentation highlighted the hospitals position as the only provider in Victoria of the gene therapy treatment Luxturna, which is used to treat specific inherited retinal disease.
Professor Stephen O’Leary presented on Surgical Training models and demonstrated intraoperative testing and monitoring for Cochlear implant patients, as well as updated Her Excellency on current Cochlear Implant research.
Dr Rebecca Haward, the Eye and Ear’s new Director of Training, spoke about the hospital’s leading role in training Ophthalmological and ENT professionals both nationally and globally.
Eye and Ear CEO, Brendon Gardner said:
“The Eye and Ear is proud to be Australia’s only specialist eye, ear, nose and throat hospital.”
“Her Excellency’s visit was a valuable opportunity for her to witness and hear from our professionals on how we are a world leader in clinical service delivery, teaching and research in ophthalmology and otolaryngology.”
Learn more about the Governor here.
