Eye Health Hero: Elise Moo

Elise started working for The Fred Hollows Foundation as a volunteer in 2015, soon taking on a permanent role as administrative assistant in our Melbourne office. Her talents were immediately evident, and she was soon promoted to take on a role in our Global Advocacy team.

Elise’s grandfather was an ophthalmologist, and she has a deep personal connection to the work of The Foundation and its mission to end avoidable blindness. Her passion and commitment to human rights, development and the environment, her excellent communication and engagement skills, her strategic mind and her work ethic are just some of the attributes that set her apart.

In 2018 Elise joined The Foundation’s research team and has been an invaluable member since then. Most notable among her many achievements is her leadership of the Better Operative Outcomes Software Tool (BOOST) development and research portfolio, her role as coordinator of The Foundation’s Cataract Strategic Leadership and Coordination Group, and her significant contributions to development and implementation of The Foundation’s Reconciliation Action Plan. She has progressed in her role now to lead a complex global implementation research project focused on the new WHO IPEC framework. The Advancing IPEC project seeks to operationalise new WHO policy and tools to support eye care and health system strengthening in Ethiopia and Philippines – supporting these countries fulfil WHA resolution commitments and supporting WHO to test and refine their tools and guidance. The project also involves the review and refinement of The Foundation’s strategies, projects, and programming guidelines to align with IPEC.

In a little over 5 years Elise is now recognised as a thought leader in the area of integrated people centred eye care and cataract outcomes monitoring. Elise now has her sights set on how The Foundation and the broader eye health sector can contribute to action on climate change. To complement her Bachelor of International Studies, Elise is undertaking a Masters of Environment and Sustainability. Elise is contributing to several emerging climate action initiatives at The Foundation and will no doubt emerge in the coming years as a key climate action leader within The Foundation and across the eye health sector.

“I love working for a purpose-driven organisation that connects evidence to practical policy and programming solutions. Addressing blindness and improving eye health is truly transformative – vision is our most valued sense; we have simple, low-cost solutions to improve outcomes; and its key to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

I have worked on several research and advocacy initiatives to advance global priorities, such as implementing integrated people-centred eye care and the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s a privilege to work with so many brilliant colleagues, partners, and experts around the world, all collaborating to influence meaningful change and improve eye care for all.”

– Elise Moo