Retired Sussex eye care specialist honoured in King’s New Year Honours List after improving 'countless lives'
A Bognor Regis resident has been recognised on the King’s New Year Honours List for her outstanding contribution to ophthalmology in Sussex and around the world.
Joy White – the former head of service for orthoptics at Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton – has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).
The University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust said it is ‘proud to celebrate’ Joy’s achievement.
A trust spokesperson added: “Joy retired from the Trust last December after a distinguished career dedicated to improving vision and transforming lives.
“She qualified in orthoptics from Sheffield and went on to become an orthoptic teacher, later joining Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Her passion for eye health extended far beyond the UK.
“During the 1990s, Joy worked with charities including Children on the Edge and Iasis, carrying out vision screening at schools in Romania and Albania. She also volunteered with Orbis, an international ophthalmology charity, and supported the Brighton Lusaka Health Link in Zambia, training eye health clinicians.”
Joy’s leadership at the Sussex Eye Hospital has ‘left a lasting legacy’, the trust said.
She has championed patient-focused care and ‘inspired countless colleagues’ through her ‘commitment to excellence’.
Reflecting on the honour, Joy said: “I feel incredibly humbled to receive this recognition. My career has always been about putting patients first and sharing knowledge to improve eye health globally. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing colleagues and charities that make a real difference.”
Dr Andy Heeps, Chief Executive at University Hospitals Sussex, said this award celebrates Joy’s ‘lifelong dedication to patient care, education, and global eye. health initiatives’.
He added: “I am delighted to congratulate Joy on this well deserved honour. Her dedication to patient care and commitment to advancing eye health both locally and globally have been truly exceptional. Her leadership at the Trust and humanitarian work overseas reflect the very best of NHS values, and her legacy will continue to inspire colleagues for years to come.
"We are immensely proud to see her honoured with a British Empire Medal, a fitting tribute to a career that has improved countless lives across Sussex and beyond.”