Associate Professor Anne Brooks AM
Associate Professor Anne Brooks AM
LMusA (Clarinet performing), MBBS, MD, MMed, PhD, FRACO, FRACS, FRACP, FAAO (USA), FRCOphth (UK), AFRACMA
Associate Professor Anne Brooks (’70), was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021 for significant service to ophthalmology, and to eye health organisations. Head of Clinic 3 Special, and ophthalmologist to the Glaucoma Unit and Surgical Ophthalmology Service at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Anne is also a nine times Trainer of Excellence award recipient.
Anne’s journey to studying medicine was a winding one. After St Catherine’s she completed a Licentiate of Music (Clarinet Performing) and studied Arts as well as Dentistry before settling on a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne where she won many awards including the Carnation Prize in Paediatrics. Her studies continued and she received a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Melbourne, for her thesis on Investigations into Corneal Abnormalities as well as other awards and qualifications. In 2019, she received the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) College Medal, the first female to receive this Honour.
Anne’s interest in ophthalmology came about because it offered both microsurgery and general medical treatment of eye diseases which is quite unusual in medical specialties, as they are normally focussed on either medical treatment or surgery. Also, an ophthalmologist is with the patient for their whole journey, hopefully right through to stopping vision loss or even returning lost vision, which is very rewarding.
Anne is published widely, has chaired many committees and associations and lectured extensively. Teaching ophthalmology to registrars in training, medical students, overseas trained medical graduates and General Practitioners has been the most rewarding aspect of Anne’s career as it allows her to help shape the next generation of ophthalmologists and eye care professionals.
When Anne’s not busy at the hospital or running her private practice in East Melbourne specialising in Glaucoma and Cataract, she enjoys spending time at her farm with husband Dr Murray Frazer (PhD in Applied Mathematics), her pets, music, gardening, tennis and the beach. Her two daughters, Dr Elita Frazer and Dr Georgina Frazer, have followed in her musical and medical footsteps (as veterinarians). She is a strong advocate for women as leaders.
