Skip to main content

Announcement New Chair WAEH

October 18, 2023

The World Association of Eye Hospitals (WAEH) is delighted to announce the appointment of Brendon Gardner, CEO of The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, as the new Chair of the organization. He officially assumes this leadership role, succeeding the outgoing Chair, Cathy Kowalewski of Wilmer Eye Johns Hopkins, who commendably served in this capacity for the past two years. Brendon Gardner’s new position was formally announced during the 17th Annual Meeting of the WAEH.

During her tenure Cathy Kowalewski made significant contributions to the WAEH, elevating its mission of fostering collaboration and excellence in eye healthcare worldwide. Her dedication and leadership have been instrumental in strengthening the organization’s global presence and influence. Brendon Gardner expressed his profound gratitude to Cathy for her tireless efforts and stewardship in furthering the vision of the WAEH.

“It is an immense honor to take on the role of Chair within the WAEH,” said Brendon Gardner. “I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Cathy Kowalewski for her exceptional leadership during her term. Her dedication and achievements have set a high standard, and I am eager to continue building on the foundation she has established.”

The 17th Annual Meeting of the WAEH provided an ideal platform for this significant transition, with members from around the world coming together to celebrate the organization’s accomplishments and chart a course for the future of eye healthcare. The event marked the beginning of Brendon Gardner’s two-year tenure, during which he aims to steer the WAEH towards even greater successes and international cooperation in the field of ophthalmology.

Under Brendon Gardner’s guidance, the WAEH will continue its mission of fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge exchange among its member hospitals. The organization looks forward to his leadership and the innovative initiatives that will further enhance the quality of eye healthcare globally.

The World Association of Eye Hospitals extends its heartfelt congratulations to Brendon Gardner and expresses deep gratitude to Cathy Kowalewski for her remarkable contributions to the organization. The future of eye healthcare holds great promise under their combined stewardship.

Older news


More recent

WAEH Member Meeting 2026 – Join us in São Paulo or online!

As a member-led organisation, WAEH values the active involvement of its members. Every year, we organise our WAEH Member Meeting as part of the Annual Meeting, providing an opportunity for members to connect, exchange ideas and contribute to the future of our global network. This year’s Member Meeting will take place on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, during the […]

WAEH Community of Practice – Nurses & Allied Health Personnel | 29 October 2026

On Thursday 29 October 2026 the WAEH Community of Practice on Nurses & Allied Health Personnel took place, bringing together eye care professionals from across the globe to discuss the development, implementation and impact of nurse-led corneal cross-linking services. The meeting was led by Tendai Gwenhure, Senior Clinical Educator from Moorfields Eye Hospital (London, United […]

Newsflash WAEH | October 2026

WAEH Community of Practice Nurses and Allied Health Personnel|29 October 2026 The WAEH Nurses and Allied Health Personnel Community of Practice will meet again this Thursday, 29 October!This session will focus on the development of a nurse-led corneal cross-linking (CXL) treatment programme and the international collaboration between the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Ireland) […]

Newsletter WAEH | November 2026

Present a poster during the 20th Annual Meeting! As we look forward to the 20th Annual WAEH Meeting, we’re excited to share that the first few posters for this year’s meeting have already been submitted! Are you joining us for the Annual Meeting? Don’t forget to bring a poster showcasing the innovative projects and inspiring […]

World Sight Day at Dr. K. Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital

On October 8th, 2026, World Sight Day 2026 (WSD26), the Dr. K. Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital raised awareness about eye health and reach underserved communities with essential services across the greater Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh.  The activities included:– Free eye screenings in rural outreach camps and school screening programmes– a mini marathon, “Run for Healthy Sight,” […]