SPECSAVERS clinical and retail directors Michael O’Kane and Joe Alubaid are celebrating with their team of hearing and eyecare experts after making the shortlist for five top industry awards.
They are named as finalists in three categories at this year’s UK & Ireland Optician Awards, as well as two categories at the Scottish Optometry Awards.
Michael is finalist in the Optometrist of the Year category and colleagues at Morningside Specsavers are shortlisted for Optical Assistant Team of the Year.
The Morningside store is also in the final line up of businesses shortlisted in the Multiple Practice of the Year category.
The Scottish Optometry Awards will be presented on 15 November in Glasgow, where Michael is again shortlisted for Optometrist of the Year and Audiology Director Jonathan Bell and the Morningside store are also in the running for Hearing Care Practice of the Year.
The winners of the 2025 Optician Awards – covering all UK & Ireland practices – will be announced on Saturday 13 December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Clinical Director at both Morningside and Cameron Toll Specsavers, Michael leads a team of 55 – including 16 optometrists and a contact lens optician – in delivering enhanced eye care in close partnership with local hospitals.
In March 2024, he and Joe oversaw the relocation of the Morningside store to a fully accessible, state-of-the-art facility.
Designed for inclusivity, the branch features wheelchair-friendly access, adaptive equipment and calming music options.
Their “Patient Passport” system provides continuity of care for patients with additional needs – reflecting the practice’s commitment to dignity and comfort for all.
Making the shortlists is recognition of Michael’s role as a practice-based optometrist who goes the extra mile for patients, colleagues, the wider community, and the profession.
Drawing on his experience as a paediatric specialist at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Michael has invested heavily and trained his team to combine a range of specialist and high-tech clinical testing techniques to optimise patient care, achieve the best clinical outcomes and reduce unnecessary hospital referrals.
His practice serves as an Independent Prescribing (IP) referral centre so optometry practices who cannot prescribe medications can refer patients on to his team for eye emergencies.
Michael also cares for stable glaucoma patients as part of the Community Glaucoma Scheme and each year he delivers lectures for The Brain Tumour Charity, ensuring he and his team remain at the forefront of early cancer detection and sight-saving care.
Michael O’Kane, clinical director of Specsavers Morningside, says: ‘Our use of technology and clinical expertise are always balanced with empathy – community is really important to us.
‘Despite how we’ve grown over the last 17 years, we’ve always made sure we retain the warmth and familiarity of a small neighbourhood service.
‘Our Optical Assistants, who are the welcoming face of our practices and central to every patient journey, are at the heart of this.
‘They ensure that, even on the busiest days, care is authentic, local and personal. Simple but powerful touches – remembering names, asking after family milestones, or checking that vulnerable patients get home safely – help foster trust and long-term relationships with our patients.’
Joe Alubaid, retail director of Specsavers Morningside, adds:
‘We’re absolutely delighted that the incredible work of our clinical director and the Optical and Audiology teams has been recognised – it’s a real honour to be finalists in these five categories for such high profile, national awards.
‘There are some big names on the shortlist this year and it’s great to be sitting there alongside them.
‘We look forward to celebrating our achievements as a team, enjoying the ceremonies and the big reveal when winners are announced on the night.’
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