STEP® is an innovative educational programme, specifically designed to help optometry students succeed.
Meet the Team
STEP® is delivered by an excellent team of knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and experienced faculty members who have played an integral role in creating the foundations to continuously evolve STEP® to champion innovative learning for optometry students.
Working alongside the faculty members are a group of Newly Qualified STEP® Mentors. The mentors are STEP® graduates themselves and provide invaluable support and guidance to current pre-registration students.
STEP® Lead
Robyn Marsden
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Professional Education and Development Manager UK and Ireland
STEP® Professional Lead
Robyn graduated from Bradford University with a first-class honors degree in 2001. Since then she has worked in multiple and independent practice, in roles supervising pre-registration trainees and also running student clinics at Bradford University. She also holds the position of assessor for the College of Optometrists, a role she is very passionate about and has held for nearly fifteen years.
Robyn’s faculty journey started in 2013, facilitating courses at the Johnson & Johnson Institute, allowing her to share her passion for excellent communication, patient care and most of all collaboration with fellow clinicians on all aspects of our profession. Robyn believes that the STEP® programme is a fantastic edition to the offering that Johnson & Johnson Vision can provide to Optometrists - allowing trainees to learn and develop side by side through various face to face and virtual mediums supported by a bank of invaluable learning resources. Robyn immensely enjoys her role as the professional lead for the STEP® programme.
FACULTY MEMBERS
Bina Patel
BSc (Hons) MCOptom FHEA
Bina studied at City University of London where, in 2001, she graduated with a first-class honours degree in Optometry. Since registration she has worked in a number of roles in community practice, including pre-registration supervisor and mentor. Presently she works as a Clinical Tutor at City University of London, an Assessor for the College of Optometrists, and a Case Examiner for the General Optical Council.
Since 2016 Bina has been part of Johnson & Johnson Vision Faculty, where she is involved in delivering training and education to student, trainee, and newly qualified optometrists through STEP®. She enjoys being part of such an experienced and expert team, that are all so passionate about the profession. STEP® allows Bina to use her skills and love of teaching and training, as well as the knowledge from her other roles, to help develop the future of optometry.
Clair Bulpin
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Paed Eye Care
Clair graduated from Cardiff University with a first-class honors degree and post qualification, has undertaken a variety of roles including practice management. She has supervised numerous pre-registration students and has worked in both multiple and independent practice.
Clair has been a faculty member since 2006 and loves the interactive, open, and honest discussions with peers. She never fails to take away something herself from each of the courses she helps to deliver. Her enthusiasm for developing pre-regs led her into College of Optometrists Assessor and Examiner roles and ultimately into the STEP® faculty team. She truly believes that an Optometrist has a real opportunity to make a difference and is passionate about supporting the new generation of Optometrists to share this understanding and belief. STEP® helps students to relate to the ‘human being’ behind the set of eyes and she loves helping students reach their full potential through the education that STEP® provides.
Sajal Patel
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Sajal graduated from Bradford University in 1998. She completed her pre-registration period in a multiple practice in which she still works part time. She has held roles as a pre-registration Supervisor and Tutor, LASIK Optometrist and has been an assessor for the College of Optometrists since 2013. She recently started working in an independent practice and enjoys working in more specialised clinics like Dry Eye and Myopia Management.
Sajal joined the faculty in 2018. She finds it very rewarding to be able to help and encourage students during the pre-registration process. Being involved in creating content and teaching for STEP® is inspiring and she loves being part of a fantastic team of dedicated and passionate people.
Haneen Iqbal
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Haneen started her journey with STEP® in 2015 when she was a student at the University of Plymouth. It was at university, she decided to join STEP®. Haneen graduated with a first-class honours degree in 2016. She then went on and completed the Scheme for Registration in 2017 with the support of STEP®.
Haneen works for an Independent Opticians in Reading, where she sees a wide variety of patients and is involved in myopia control and colorimetry. She is also undertaking training to complete her independent prescribing (IP) qualification.
Haneen thoroughly enjoyed being part of STEP® as it allowed her to develop clinically as well as the opportunity to network with a wide variety of individuals from varying aspects of optometry. As a faculty member, her favourite aspects include engaging with students and helping them to develop into professionals. Delivering virtual classes is one of Haneen’s favourite parts of being part of the faculty. STEP® has given her the opportunity to work alongside other faculty members with a wide breadth of expertise and feels that this has helped her develop into the individual she is today.
Sarah Dawson
BSc (Hons) MSc MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc Prof Cert LV
Sarah studied at UMIST where, in 1993, she graduated with a degree in Ophthalmic Optics. Since registration she has held several roles in both multiple and independent practice and has supervised both pre-registration Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. She completed a MSc at Cardiff University in 2014, along with Professional Certificates in both Glaucoma and Low Vision.
In 2001 she became a College of Optometrists Examiner, and she is now a Chief Examiner for the Final Assessment. Sarah has also been an Assessor within the Scheme for Registration since its inception in 2004 and was a Senior Assessor until recently.
Sarah joined the faculty in 2014 and is involved in delivering training and education to students and trainees throughout STEP®. She enjoys being part of such an experienced faculty team and being involved in a range of interactive courses both face to face and virtually, which allows her to use the skills of teaching and development which she has loved since qualifying. She is highly enthusiastic about the current opportunities available to Optometrists entering the profession and believes STEP® allows them to develop themselves and make a positive difference to their patients.
Neil Constantine-Smith
BSc(Hons) FCOptom
Neil has over 30 years of experience as a high street Optometrist having worked in a mixture of independent, small chain and multiple settings where his roles have included Mobile Optometrist, Senior Optometrist for an area group of practices as well as being a practice manager. Previously he has served as a CET approver for the GOC and has written numerous articles for the Optician magazine.
Neil is currently a practice director as well as a Senior Assessor and OSCE Examiner in the Scheme for Registration. In 2022 he became a Fellow of The College of Optometrists and is currently studying for a Professional Certificate in Medical Retina.
Neil joined the faculty in 2014. He loves the fact that STEP® focuses on training competent Optometrists who are good at their job. Neil’s advice is that being a good all-round Optometrist is the best way to navigate through the pre-registration process easily and successfully. It also ensures an enjoyable and rewarding career afterwards.
His interests are in BV, dispensing and fitting contact lenses, especially multifocals. He particularly enjoys helping students on STEP® get a better understanding on these topics.
Colin Davidson
BSc (Hons) FCOptom Dip TP(IP)
Colin is program lead for independent prescribing at the University of Hertfordshire and supports the university Masters of Optometry programme. He also works at Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton as part of the medical retina team in uveitis and PVD clinics, and in independent practice in Sussex. He is a senior assessor for the College of Optometrists, and an OSCE chief examiner.
Colin was awarded Diploma in Independent Prescribing Dip TP(IP) in 2011, and Fellowship of the College in 2013. Colin has supervised many pre-registration trainees and he has been a member of the education faculty at Johnson & Johnson Vision since 2011. As one of the STEP® leads he helps to deliver training and support to both current pre-registration students and newly qualified optometrists. He enjoys helping pre-regs engage with STEP® and encourages them to use the things they learn through STEP® to help benefit their patients in practice.
Hasan Akhtar
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Glau AFHE
Hasan graduated from Aston University in 2016 with a first-class honours degree and has since settled in an independent opticians while working back at the university as a clinical supervisor. He has recently become a pre-reg supervisor and sits on the board for his Local Optical Committee due to his interest in the future of optometry.
Hasan joined the faculty following on from experiencing STEP® first-hand a trainee. Being part of the programme provided endless training and support to become a qualified optometrist but furthermore enhanced his skills as a newly qualified clinician too. This inspired him to want to provide the same support to others using a digital platform to reach out to everyone in the profession. Engaging and interacting with trainees is what Hasan enjoys the most and has been able to do this in his role as faculty. He has loved being able to connect with trainees as a mentor, creating interactive posts for social media as well as delivering virtual classes where he hopes to inspire trainees to be the best they can be. No matter what stage of the career, there is always opportunity to learn something new and STEP® is able to help unlock this potential.
Louise Munns
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Louise graduated with a first-class honours degree from Bradford University and has since enjoyed working in a variety of practices in the UK and abroad. Louise developed a keen interest in education early in her career teaching undergraduates and delivering CET in her role as a Tutor Practitioner at Aston University. In 1997 she became a College of Optometrists Examiner, and she is now a Chief Examiner for Final Assessment and a Senior Assessor which she combines with work as a clinic supervisor and DOCET assessor.
The opportunity to join the faculty in 2010 was an exciting new venture. Louise has been an enthusiastic member of the team, helping to deliver and develop a wide variety of innovative education and courses. However, it is the development of STEP® that she has found most enjoyable, focussing her energy on finding new ways of engaging with young professionals and indulging her passion for educating undergraduate and pre-registration students. Louise wants to share her experiences and knowledge, especially in the fields of anterior eye assessment and contact lens fitting, by engaging with those who can influence the future of the profession. Louise finds the enthusiasm for learning shown by many who participate in STEP® inspirational.
Meerat Gohlar
MOptom MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Glaucoma
Meerat graduated from Aston university in 2016, and completed her Professional Certificate in Medical Retina and Professional Certificate in Glaucoma in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Meerat is a full-time resident optometrist at a multiple practice, where she started her journey as a pre-registration optometrist. Her clinical responsibilities include supervising pre-registration optometrists and attending patient clinics.
STEP® has played an integral part in Meerat’s evolution from university student to registered optometrist. STEP® consistently offered support in clinical understanding through face to face and virtual elements in a clear, digestible manner.
Meerat joined Johnson and Johnson Vision as a STEP® mentor with the intention to empower future generations of optometrists, the same way STEP® had empowered her. Pursuing her interest in mentoring others has allowed her to network and connect with other passionate and inspiring professionals. She thoroughly enjoys her current roles as Lead STEP® Mentor and Faculty, working alongside her colleagues, organising fundraising events, delivering courses at the Institute and most recently hosting sessions virtually!
Meerat’s relationship with STEP® has built her appetite to positively influence the profession, exemplified by her becoming an assessor and facilitator for a number of qualifications and events respectively, delivered by her current employer as well as becoming vice chair for her Local Optical Committee.
Philippa Shaw
Sc (Hons) MCOptom
Philippa graduated from Cardiff and has worked in practice for over 30 years. For many years she worked for a multiple, as a supervisor in practice and then Clinical Development Manager looking after pre-regs and developing and training optometrists in the Southwest.
She currently works in several roles as a College of Optometrists examiner and senior assessor, DOCET Training Adviser, runs training courses for doctors, and is a third-year clinic supervisor at UWE is on the GOC Fitness to Practise Committee.
Philippa has been a faculty member since 2013 and enjoys meeting and working with a wide range of practitioners to improve their clinical skills, her special interests are contact lenses and communication. She particularly enjoys working with pre-regs on STEP®, helping to support them through their pre-reg year and building their confidence during their first years in practice.
As part of the faculty, she loves working with the highly experienced faculty team, being involved in the interactive courses, and so constantly learning new things. She is highly enthusiastic about the current opportunities available to optometrists entering the profession and through STEP® being able to help them develop themselves and make a positive difference to their patients.
Theresa Adamson
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Theresa graduated from Manchester University in 2009 with a first-class honours degree and since qualifying has worked in a range of multiple settings as an Optometrist and supervisor of pre-registration Optometrists and student Dispensing Opticians. Alongside working in practice, she currently works as a DOCET assessor for CPD submissions and an assessor for the College of Optometrists. Previously she has sat on the GOC Fitness to Practise Hearing Panel and has written some articles for the Optician magazine.
Theresa joined the faculty team soon after qualification, initially as an online forum representative to help support pre-registration students, having been in the first cohort to sit the current OSCE format. From there, her role developed and she thoroughly enjoys working as part of an amazing faculty team to deliver educational content. Over the years she has particularly enjoyed helping to create content and build STEP®, which has evolved in many ways to support many Optometrists through their training and in the early stages of qualified practice. For her, being involved in STEP® and seeing students progress from undergraduate through to newly qualified is so rewarding and she loves being able to celebrate with those newly qualified optometrists who ‘graduate’ from STEP® at the end of the programme.
Tina Chudasama
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret
Tina graduated from the University of Manchester in 2015 and carried out her pre-registration and newly qualified years in a busy multiple practice. She then moved to London to work in an independent practice, and further her knowledge by pursuing postgraduate qualifications. Currently, Tina works as a resident optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, whilst also continuing community practice locum work.
Tina was initially affiliated with the STEP® team as a student on the reference group. As she engaged through the whole STEP® process, from carrying out different learning modules to attending several courses, she was able to provide student-based feedback to the STEP® team. She found both the material and courses extremely useful during her pre-registration year, helping her gain confidence whilst examining patients in practice. After receiving a huge amount of support, herself via STEP®, she developed an enthusiasm for guiding students to enhancing their skills and knowledge as new generation optometrists. This led her to become part of the STEP® faculty team, carrying out the role of STEP® mentor and ultimately onto a STEP® lead mentor role. She particularly enjoys carrying out virtual classes for students, providing a support system to mentors, and being part of an inspirational, diverse team to bounce ideas off.
Gemma Hill
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) Optometry MCOptom Dip TP(IP)
After graduating with a first class degree in 2015, Gemma began working in an independent practice outside Paisley which she eventually took over in 2019. She soon signed up for the diploma in independent prescribing, and gained her qualification in January 2020. As a result of this, her practice is well known in Renfrewshire for providing first-class clinical eye care. Within Johnson & Johnson, Gemma has worked as a junior faculty member since 2017, and later became a fully fledged faculty member in 2021 and STEP® lead in 2022, mainly working with newly-qualified optometrists to help increase their skillset. She has a particular passion for teaching skills in OCT and dry eye management, and has facilitated many CET events and peer discussions to help other optometrists gain confidence in these areas. Having been through the STEP® journey herself in its early years, she finds it incredibly rewarding to now be delivering the course and seeing the wonderful support and education offered to the delegates.
Josephine Evans
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc
Josie studied at the University of Manchester and qualified as an Optometrist in 2018. She spends her week working in a small group of independent practices in London, in addition to a role as a Visiting Clinical Tutor at City University.
Josie valued the contribution of STEP® throughout her Optometry education, from an undergraduate to a newly qualified Optometrist. The online learning modules complimented her independent study during the pre-registration year, helping to organise her thoughts and aid her revision. Josie always looked forward to attending courses at the Johnson & Johnson Institute. She found the Newly Qualified Course a wonderful opportunity to meet with peers at a similar stage and to begin planning the next steps in her career.
Josie thoroughly enjoys her responsibilities as part of the STEP® faculty team and the courses continue to be a highlight. She finds great reward in helping pre-registration Optometrists on their journey to qualification and working with the team to develop new content and learning materials.
Jetal Patel
BOptom MCOptom
Jetal qualified from Anglia Ruskin University in 2018. She carried out her pre-registration year with Specsavers and is currently still working for the multiple based in Central London.
Having recently qualified as an optometrist, Jetal can say that having a strong support system is key to a successful pre-registration year. There is a vast contrast between working life and university life, and being able to speak to someone who has not only been through that recently but understands the change is of great benefit to a pre-registration student. Her aim as a STEP® mentor is to help encourage the new optometrists in the way she was encouraged, and to be someone who they can come to with problems or when in need of reassurance. The programme is designed to help shape you as an optometrist and help improve upon key skills that are used in day to day life. She has really enjoyed taking part in the programme, and the webinars that were offered have enhanced her knowledge immensely.
JUNIOR FACULTY MEMBERS
Ajay Leer
BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret Prof Cert Glauc
Ajay graduated from Aston University in 2016 and went on to complete his pre-registration period in the hospital eye service within the West Midlands. He is currently a Specialist Optometrist in the hospital with a specialist interest in Cataracts, Glaucoma and complex Contact Lenses. He also works within a private laser and IOL centre alongside working in community glaucoma management clinics.
Ajay joined STEP® as a pre-registration student where he utilised all the invaluable resources that were available. Working through the programme from his undergraduate years to being Newly Qualified helped with his development to become a well-rounded Optometrist. He was then provided the opportunity to guide other pre-registration students by becoming a STEP® Mentor.
Ajay has always had a passion for learning and developing with the continually changing profession. He loves teaching as it allows him to transfer his own knowledge and skillset to others and help the new and upcoming Optometrists.
Neha Bhayani
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Neha studied at Aston University and completed her Pre Reg in a multiple high street practice, where she is still based post Pre-Reg. She remembers initially finding Pre Reg daunting as the examination process is completely different to previous years of education. Alongside this, being in a very different environment, alone in practice, as opposed to being surrounded by students in the same boat. STEP® and the faculty team really helped her through her journey, along with the online learning modules and webinars. STEP® further helped her understand the competencies and how to tackle them. Neha also found the visits to the Johnson & Johnson Institute really beneficial, as they were interactive and helped with the practical elements of Pre Reg, which further added to her confidence and knowledge. With gaining so much from STEP® throughout her Pre Reg, Neha wanted to be a Mentor to be able to help and support the upcoming cohort throughout their journey.
Kathryn Marshall
BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Kathryn graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in July of 2019 with first class honours. She qualified as an optometrist in April 2021 due a slightly lengthier pre-registration year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Pre-Reg and since qualifying, Kathryn was working in a multiple practice but has recently moved into independent practice. Wanting to build her clinical skills further, Kathryn has completed the theory part of the Independent Prescribing qualification and is looking to complete the full qualification in the near future. She has also been undertaking a post graduate module in Myopia Control in order to upskill for day-to-day practice.
Kathryn has taken part in STEP® from the beginning as an undergraduate through to the Newly Qualified Programme. She found that the interactive virtual classes were a great supplement to the taught material at university and found it invaluable during her pre-registration year, especially with all the ongoing changes due to the pandemic.
Kathryn became a STEP® Mentor in July 2022 and has been enjoying helping current pre-registration students with their preparations for their visits via the WhatsApp group as well as helping the faculty run the virtual classes.
