At the Association's AGM in Bristol on 9 October, Jennifer Brower of Area 11 will become the new ABDO President, with Peter Black of Area 3 taking over as Vice President.
New partnerships, new challenges
Jennifer BrowerWell known within the profession, Jennifer is a
dispensing optician and low
vision practitioner and works in partnership with her
optometrist husband, David, in an independent practice in Hertfordshire. David is an associate member of ABDO and was the first
optometrist to gain the ABDO Low
Vision Honours Diploma. He is also a contact lens practitioner and has interest in sports
vision and ocular therapeutics and so between them, the couple are able to offer a wide range of optical services to their patients.
During her two years as ABDO Vice President, Jennifer has been involved in many new initiatives including the establishment of the Optical Confederation which has brought together ABDO, the AOP, FODO, the FMO and the ACLM, to formalise joint working and representation of the optical professions. Talking to Dispensing Optics in the run-up to taking office, Jennifer said: "it was my previlege to speak on ABDO's behalf at the Optical Confederation launch earlier this year and I believe that the Confederation, by speaking with one voice on so many important optical issues, will achieve much for the profession which was previously thought impossible."
Another project that Jennifer has been involved with is the on-going review of the ABDO Area structure. Jennifer explained: "Having served as an Area chairman for many years, I am well aware of the problems which Area committees face and intend to do everything possible to improve the help and support available." An initial report has been produced in conjunction with Area representatives, which proposes organisational help plus increased consultation and greater Area participation in ABDO politics. Jennifer continues to support her home Area 11 - London - and has had the pressure of visiting others. "In my opinion, local meetings are one of the best ways of getting to know others, sharing opinions and formulating strategy, and I look forward to attending more."
One of Jennifer's major concerns at present is the rise in poor quality dispensing by unqualified people. She explained: "The GOC points out that it is difficult to investigate these cases without hard evidence and so I will be introducing a plan to highlight these problems and reduce their effects." Asked if there was one theme that she expected to run through her Presidential term, Jennifer responded: "I think communication is a key issue. This is such an important skill and one of our core competencies, but it is not just about with how we deal with our patients. It is a priority of mine to improve the communication the ABDO board has with the membership, not only to share information but to receive valuable feedback."
Low
vision remains one of the prime interests in Jennifer's optical life and she is a member of the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) working group, which has recently produced a new Low
Vision Pathway in which dispensing opticians can participate. "Accreditation is necessary but it does not require specialist low
vision qualifications and I am confident that the pathway represents an excellent opportunity for our members to become involved in the provision of low
vision services."