Jennifer Gersbeck is Director of Global Partnerships and Advocacy at The Fred Hollows Foundation, and previously CEO of Vision 2020 Australia. Jennifer has been involved in a wide range of social marketing campaigns aimed at raising awareness, changing behaviour and influencing key decision makers. Jennifer has qualifications in Political Science and Business Marketing, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and has worked extensively in the health and community services sector.
After 11.5 years as CEO of Vision 2020 Australia Jennifer Gersbeck is stepping down from the role. During her time at the helm, she has guided the organisation to the place that it is today, as the credible and respected national peak body for eye health and vision care. She reflects on her time with the organisation, the importance of collaboration and the next part of her journey as she continues to advocate for the elimination of avoidable blindness.
On 7 April—World Health Day—the World Health Organisation (WHO) is shining a light on the rise of diabetes worldwide. While the epidemic is increasing rapidly in low and middle-income countries, Australia is not immune.
Vision 2020 Australia CEO Jennifer Gersbeck writes about the disappointing state of Australian Aid. This blog post was originally published on the IAPB website.
This year has been an eventful and productive one for the sector. The lead up to the Federal Election was an opportune time to come together as a sector and bolster advocacy efforts, and the success of this collaboration can be seen in the many highlights throughout 2013.
On World Sight Day, Vision 2020 Australia and the Victorian Minister for Health, the Hon David Davis MLC, launched the fantastic new Vision Initiative pilot projects aimed at saving the sight of thousands of Victorians. The new pilot projects aim to bring both health and eye health professionals together to identify those at risk of eye disease and vision loss, encouraging them to have regular eye tests.
With the imminent commencement of DisabililtyCare Australia on 1 July, it seems timely to take a moment to think about how far Australia has come since the concept of a lifetime of support for people with disabilities was introduced in 2010.
What a month May has been for global eye health! Not only have we had the new Global Action Plan adopted at the World Health Assembly but large steps have also been taken towards the development of the draft Regional Action Plan.
Last week Vision 2020 Australia held its first Parliamentary Friends Group for Eye Health and Vision Care breakfast of the year. With a focus on global aid, it was fantastic to see such support from our members and government with a strong turnout of over 95 attendees.
