Ever wonder what it's like to be in the Young Optometrists Committee and what each role entails? If you are, here is one of our new segments where we introduce a member of our committee and showcase their career path, passion projects, and what they do in YO.

Our next interview is with our Advocacy Subcommittee member, Michelle Noronha!

Michelle works at a corporate practice in Canberra, ACT. She graduated from UNSW in 2022 and has since completed the AMD for Eye Care Practitioners through Melbourne University. Currently, she is undertaking the Evidence-Based Myopia Management course at UNSW, with interests in myopia control and orthokeratology.

Please tell us about your role in YO and what it entails.

I am part of the Advocacy Subcommittee, and since I am based in ACT, my responsibilities include event organization and working actively with the ACT liaison officer. We organized an inaugural event in collaboration with the University of Canberra and Nexus Hospitals earlier this year, focusing on foreign body removal and lacrimal lavage. This was an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with the university and network with ophthalmologists, offering members practical, hands-on experience to sharpen their clinical skills.

What made you join YO as a committee member in the first place, and what do you like about your role now?

I attended the webinars as a student, and I thought it was an awesome way to give back and contribute to advancing the profession. There are various roles suitable for different skill sets and interests, and knowing there is an immediate support network of like-minded young professionals helps build a solid team! YO sponsored my attendance at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), an impactful week-long leadership program that solidified what leadership means to me. The intensity of the sessions is definitely character-building. You acquire grit, service, and resilience, as well as learn how to better yourself from the person you were yesterday.

Outside of optometry, what other hobbies do you have? (e.g., hobbies, side hustles, interesting trips you've done, etc.)

I enjoy traveling; I revisited Japan last year, and this picture is taken from Osaka Castle. I am also part of a network of young leaders interested in international diplomacy. I have had the opportunity to attend events for Commonwealth Day and the Aurora-Chevening Scholars partnership, where I met foreign ministers and diplomatic officials. In my spare time, I like to explore galleries and museums to discover new cultures and appreciate beauty in art.

YO works closely with optometry students and graduates in their first years of their careers. Looking back, do you have any funny stories or memories from your time as a student or during your first few years out?

I believe that while studying is important, I would encourage students to be involved in different societies outside of optometry. This opens up your perspective and worldview and provides an outlet to channel and develop your other passions. I was part of RAHMS and Model United Nations (MUN).

My work has been incredibly supportive, and I had the opportunity to attend an Alcon contact lens workshop at the Alcon head office last year, with a Contact Lens Symposium coming up next month. I have a particular interest in specialty contact lens fits, including orthokeratology, and this has enriched my experience beyond day-to-day clinical practice. I was also part of the Johnson & Johnson mentorship program, which helped me focus on specific goals in contact lens prescribing and business fundamentals.

You currently work in ACT; are there any particular differences you've noticed compared to working in NSW?

Yes, there are closer working relationships with ophthalmologists who host events every few months, and a close-knit network with colleagues. There is less traffic, and at the practice where I primarily work, there is an older demographic compared to a city location. Canberra has an abundance of brunch cafes, nature spots, and the proximity between suburbs makes it easier to liaise for events. I am also a member of a youth forum that involves embassy events, which are great for discussing issues in international diplomacy and networking with individuals outside of the health space.

Is there anything you wish could change in the optometry profession, or anything you would like to see optometrists able to do in the future?

With the release of the Optometry 2040 vision, there is an impetus towards oral therapeutics prescribing. As many of you are aware, this has already happened in New Zealand, and some practitioners are able to undertake intravitreal injections. Watch this space for an open letter addressing this!