Heart of the Practice winner Tanya McKinney

Tanya McKinney, Eglington Eyecare, was annouced as the Heart of the Practice winner, sponsored by Scope Training, at the 2026 SightCare Awards in April.

Tanya truly embodies the heart of the practice, combining operational excellence with unwavering reliability and exceptional patient care. Her willingness to step forward and support colleagues – including volunteering – reflects an extraordinary level of dedication to both patients and team. Through meaningful and wide-ranging contributions, she has delivered tangible workflow improvements, provided direct patient support, and strengthened day-to-day operations, while also bringing significant intangible value by boosting morale, reinforcing workplace culture, and building deep patient trust. As a consistently positive and inspirational presence, Tanya makes a lasting impact across every area of the practice and is widely recognised as a cornerstone of the team.

We caught up with Tanya  abour her win:

How would your colleagues describe your role within the practice?

I think my colleagues would describe my role as Dispensing Assistant as being an encompassing source of support for both our patients and our clinical team.

As one of the first people patients meet, and one of the last they see before leaving, I bridge the gap between excellent clinical care and a warm, welcoming patient experience. Alongside Rose, our Practice Manager, I provide reassurance for our nervous patients, guidance when choosing eyewear, and dependable support behind the scenes that help the practice run smoothly.

What was going through your mind when your name was called?

To be honest, complete disbelief! It was such a surreal moment. My heart was racing! I just kept repeating ‘No way’ to myself. I couldn’t believe that at 51, having taken a leap of faith into a completely new industry, I was being recognised on a national stage.

I felt incredibly proud to represent Eglinton Eyecare and truly felt a deep sense of appreciation for Jean, our Practice Owner, and the rest of the team for believing in me and giving me the platform to succeed in this new chapter of my career.

 What does the Heart of the Practice award mean to you personally?

Taking the leap to retrain at 51 was a daunting decision, but this award proves that it’s never too late to find a new passion. To be awarded the title of the ‘Heart of the Practice’ just as I hit my two-year anniversary makes the achievement even more special.

This award means everything because of who nominated me. Your colleagues see the ‘real’ you on the busy days, the challenging days and everything in between. For them to say I am the ‘heart’ of our team is the highest compliment I could receive.

This award reflects the supportive culture that Jean has fostered; I was given the tools, encouragement and confidence to grow from a complete novice in 2024 to an award-winner in 2026. While my name is on the award, it feels like a celebration of everything we’ve achieved together as a team.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job, day in and day out?

The most rewarding part of my job is helping patients feel genuinely cared for from the moment they walk in. Whether it’s reassuring someone who feels anxious about an eye examination, helping a child feel excited about their first pair of glasses, or finding frames that make someone light up with confidence, I love knowing I’ve made their day a little easier.

Working in an independent practice means I get time to build real relationships. I will see the same faces year after year, watch families grow, and become a trusted part of their healthcare journey. This connection is what motivates me every single day.

What exciting developments or future plans can we expect from your practice following this achievement? 

Winning ‘Heart of the Practice’ has energised our whole team. Following this, we are even more committed to each team member’s professional development. Jean is constantly investing in the latest diagnostic technology, training, and development opportunities—and I am living proof of the impact that investment can have.

You can expect us to continue pushing the boundaries of what independent eyecare looks like, ensuring that our clinical expertise always matches the high level of personal care. We were also delighted to be recognised by SightCare as a finalist in the Customer Service Excellence category this year.

Our goal is to keep innovating our patient journey, to make it even more seamless and personalised, so that each one of our patients feel that they are getting world-class service right on their doorstep.

How have you celebrated and shared this success with your patients, community, and colleagues? What has the response been like?

The ‘Heart of the Practice’ award truly belongs to every member of the team – it reflects the collective effort of us all. We celebrated with some ‘bubbly’ and a lovely dinner – which was extra special as it coincided with my two-year anniversary of joining Eglinton Eyecare.

I received congratulatory flowers from our partner glazing lab, Hoya, organised by our local sales rep, Steven Harding, and was absolutely bowled over by their kind acknowledgement of my achievement.

We shared the news on our social media platforms, and the huge response was incredibly heart-warming – lots of messages of congratulations from the community and commendation on our service from patients.

The real joy was seeing how proud our patients are of their local independent practice. Their response reminded us why independent eyecare is so special. Every member of our team plays a role in shaping the patient experience. The atmosphere is warmer, the service more personal, and the care more consistent. It is a place where compassion isn’t optional—it’s part of who we are.