Industry News
Vision Eye Institute Launches Future Vision Foundation and Vision Hospital Group
Vision Eye Institute celebrates its 20th anniversary, having been incorporated on 28 November 2001. Now privately owned, the company (then known as Vision Group) was the world’s first publicly listed ophthalmic company and one of the earliest publicly listed group medical practices. It continues to evolve and innovate to this day, setting a high benchmark for patient care in Australia.
The company started as a group medical practice in Melbourne, before quickly expanding to include numerous sites along the eastern seaboard and, more recently, South Australia. While Vision Eye Institute was officially established in 2001, many of its eye clinics and day surgeries that have become part of the group have been operating for far longer – some for over 60 years.
CEO James Thiedeman says several factors differentiate Vision Eye Institute from other providers, particularly its scale, access to technology and long-standing culture of collaboration and innovation. ‘We attract and retain the highest calibre of people – ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, nurses and support staff. Vision Eye Institute’s team of 130 doctors and nearly 500 ancillary staff look after more than 100,000 patients every year. Without question, our people and the exceptional care they provide are what make us a world-leading eye care provider,’ says Mr Thiedeman.
As part of its 20-year celebrations, Vision Eye Institute is excited to launch the Future Vision Foundation (through its OneVision ESG program) and Vision Hospital Group.
Future Vision Foundation
Vision Eye Institute has a deep heritage in ophthalmic research to acquire new knowledge and improve patient care, says Mr Thiedeman. ‘This constant search for better diagnosis, better treatments and better healthcare experiences is what drives us. Our scale places us in a privileged position – one that lends itself to giving back to the community. Through the not-for-profit Future Vision Foundation, we can do more to encourage and support the research endeavours of our staff and associated clinicians. Support will be in the form of funding, clinical resources, new initiatives and mentoring,’ he says. ‘The Foundation has been a dream since Vision Eye Institute first began and everyone is thrilled to watch it come to life. We are also delighted to have secured several prominent experts for the board of directors, including Professor Fiona Stapleton, Ms Fiona Davies, Mr Joe Redner and Associate Professor Tim Roberts,’ he says. ‘The Foundation looks forward to working alongside other research organisations within ophthalmology, optometry and industry and contributing to the excellent research already being undertaken in Australia.’
Vision Hospital Group
Over the last few years, Vision Eye Institute has commissioned a number of greenfield day hospitals, while expanding its hospital offering beyond ophthalmic care to provide a wider range of surgical services. In recognition of this new direction, the company launched Vision Hospital Group, which brings its ten day surgeries together under one banner. ‘We genuinely believe we provide world-class care, along with the infrastructure and know-how to meet the growing needs of local communities. While continuing to work closely with ophthalmologists, we now also partner with surgeons in the fields of gastroenterology, pain management, plastic surgery, dermatology and urology to name a few,’ says Mr Thiedeman. ‘Vision Hospital Group’s core philosophy is the practice of surgery deserves a highly focused, specialist environment where surgeons are supported to perform at their best and patients experience exemplary, seamless care,’ he says.