An experienced academic leader, and advocate for equitable healthcare access, with a career spanning over 40 years in clinical practice, business, regulatory leadership, and education. With a foundational background in optometry, Professor Fitzpatrick has made significant contributions to advancing eye health services, particularly in underserved rural and regional communities across Western Australia.

Currently serving as the Professor of Regional and Rural Health at The University of Western Australia, Professor Fitzpatrick provides strategic leadership to deliver whole-of-institution improvement in the reputation and performance of UWA's Impact in regional, rural and outer metropolitan areas of Western Australia. He is prioritising health education, training and research initiatives to deliver on the “UWA Regional Strategy”.

As the Professor of Regional and Rural Health he is developing and implementing a sustainable framework for equipping UWA with the infrastructure and partnerships required to deliver health education, training and research into the Regions of WA and Perth outer metropolitan areas where the university has existing or planned strong connections.

His role works with Heads of Schools and collaboratively across the University to progress student recruitment, retention, success and wellbeing, industry and community engagement initiatives. It establishes strategic partnerships and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders in education, research, University Study Hubs, Aboriginal Controlled organisations, Industry, regional communities and all levels of Government.

As part of his work focused on Regional and Rural Health, he aims to be a catalyst for positive change, building sustainable health systems, expanding educational access, and advocating for regional and rural communities. This aligns with the founding purpose of UWA, to advance the prosperity and well-being of our communities, and to promote equitable access to tertiary education for all people across the state of Western Australia

Professor Fitzpatrick joined UWA in 2020 as the strategic lead and Foundation Head of the UWA Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, the first and only program of its kind in Western Australia, addressing a critical gap in the state’s eye care workforce. Under his guidance, the program has embraced a community-centered approach that integrates service delivery with student training. The program’s hallmark is its hub-and-spoke clinical model, linking the UWA public eye clinic (Eye Health Centre of Western Australia) with regional training clinics to deliver comprehensive and culturally appropriate eye health services to Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations alike. Professor Fitzpatrick’s vision is driven by a belief that quality healthcare and education are fundamental rights, not privileges determined by geography. His efforts to embed health training within regional communities are fostering a new generation of health professionals who are both clinically competent and socially accountable.

In 2023 he proposed and successfully lead the development of an innovative and transformative nursing education, training and research program. This “first in Australia” 4 year Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) is designed to reflect future patterns of demand for care, changes in scope of practice and the increasing regional need for nurses.

2025 to Present:  Professor of Regional and Rural Health, School of Health and Clinical Sciences, UWA

2025 to Present:  Academic Board, University of Western Australia, member

2025 to Present:  Academic Quality and Standards Committee, University of Western Australia, member

2020 to 2025: Foundation Head and Professor of Practice, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Western Australia. Currently advisor to the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

2023 to 2024: Strategic Lead and Acting Head of Nursing, Department of Nursing, University of Western Australia. Currently advisor to the Department of Nursing.

Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University. Member of Deakin Optometry Advisory Board 2010 to Present (Board Chair 2010 to 2020)

2010 to Present (Chair 2010 to 2020). Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University. Member of Deakin Optometry Advisory Board

 2012 – 2020. Optometry Consultant, Specsavers A&NZ, Strategy and leadership roles with accountability to the Specsavers Australia and New Zealand Board and senior executives

2012 – Present. Optometry Consultant, Development and implementation of strategic projects with private health insurers, government and industry on sustainable eye care pathways to improve patient eye health outcomes.

2018 – 2019 Appointee, Medicare Review Committee for Optometry, Review of the Commonwealth funding of Optometry consultations and telemedicine items. 

2019 - 2020 Appointee, Optometry Association Australia, Evolving Scope of Practice Advisory Group.  Review of current scope, education and the possible future scope of Optometry to meet community needs.

2019 - 2021 Appointee, Optometry Association of Australia, Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health outcomes. 

 Industry Leadership, Board Membership and Contribution

 2017 – 2019      Developed the initial business case for a school of Optometry at UWA.

2009 – 2018      Board member Optometry Board of Australia (OBA).

• Overseeing the establishment of the national registration and accreditation scheme for Optometry administered by the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) Reappointed by the Council of Australian Ministers of Health for the maximum 3 terms.
• Member of the OBA Finance and Risk Committee (Chair) and the Policy and Education Committee.

2006 – 2009      Three years on the Board of CORA (Council of Optometry Regulatory Authorities for Australia and New Zealand representing all Optometry Registration Boards). 

• President (Chair) 2007-2008 involving the responses to the Inter-Governmental Agreement on health regulation and accreditation and Bill A for the establishment of the Health Practitioner National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

2005 – 2008      Optometry representative on the Optometry Association of Western Australia Therapeutics                             Subcommittee

• Presenting and explaining to government and health departments the need for legislative change to allow Optometrists to prescribe S4 medications for ocular disease.
• Culminating In 2008 with the Western Australian Health Minister announcing that Optometry in Western Australia would have legislation to allow the use of topical therapeutic agents within the practice of Optometry.

 1997 – 2009      Member of Optometrists Registration Board of Western Australia. Deputy Chair (1997-2009) and Chair of the Complaints Committee (1997-2009).

Business Enterprise

2007 – 2015      A founding partner of Specsavers ANZ in 2008 to 2015

1986 – 2007      Established and developed an independent Optometry business of 6 practices in Perth.

 Community Contribution

 2017 – 2020   President, Hockey WA ,

 2009 – 2018      Established and grew Suburban Lions Hockey Club as the third largest hockey club in Perth, via a merge of two clubs (88 Teams and over 1000 members). Life member awardee, 2015.

1994 – 1995      Established a volunteer program in Nepal, training Ophthalmic Nurses to become self-sufficient and assist in a new surgical training hospital (Tilganga) in Kathmandu.