Residency Conference Recap |
NECO proudly hosted its annual John E. Asarkof Residency Conference on Friday, June 12, celebrating this year's graduating residents who successfully completed their advanced clinical training programs. Held on the Beacon Street campus, the event marked the completion of a year of rigorous education, research, and professional growth.
Residents presented capstone research projects to faculty, preceptors, alumni, and peers, showcasing topics such as retinal disorders, neuro-optometry, low vision, and urgent ocular care. Their work reflected both a commitment to advancing patient care and NECO's dedication to eye care.
The conference also recognized outstanding resident presentations. Morning session honors were awarded to Srini Srirangam, OD’ 25 (VA Boston–Brockton) for Acute Conjugate Gaze Palsy, while afternoon session honors went to Clarice Bouvier, OD’25 and Kendra Kim, OD (Mass Eye and Ear) for From Cornea to Choroid: A Rapid-Fire Review of Ocular Emergencies.
The conference brought together the NECO community to celebrate the residents' achievements and recognize the next generation of optometric leaders. NECO's residency programs, offered in partnership with hospitals, VA medical centers, community health centers, and private practices, provide specialized training across a variety of clinical disciplines.
Thank you to our corporate sponsors, Alcon and Johnson & Johnson, for helping make this year's conference such a success.
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Alumni Reconnect & Celebrate at Optometry's Meeting |
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The NECO community was out in full force at our annual Alumni Reception during the AOA’s Optometry’s Meeting! The evening brought together close to one hundred graduates, faculty, and students spanning several decades to swap stories, share professional updates, and celebrate our shared NECO roots.
From catching up with old classmates to networking with the next generation of optometrists, the energy in the room truly highlighted the strength of our lifelong network.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the night so memorable. We’re already looking forward to the next gathering at Academy!
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It's Time for Reunion 2026! |
We are thrilled to invite you to NECO's annual Alumni Reunion on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Whether it’s been five years or fifty since you last walked our halls, this day is designed to celebrate our shared history and look toward NECO’s exciting future.
Honoring Our Milestone Classes
This year, we are celebrating classes ending in 1 or 6 (plus 2025 for their first reunion).
1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, 2025
The Day’s Agenda
Reconnect with faculty, meet the next generation of ODs, and earn credit while you're at it:
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- Registration & Light Breakfast: Start the day with coffee and reconnect with friends.
- Welcoming Remarks: An update on the vision for NECO’s future.
- Continuing Education: Sessions led by distinguished alumni speakers.
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Alumni Lunch: Plenty of time to swap stories and catch up.
- Student-Led Campus Tours: See what's changed (and what’s stayed the same) on campus.
- ...and more surprises to come!
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We can't wait to welcome you home to Beacon Street this November!
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Announcing the New York Eye Awards |
We are thrilled to announce two new student awards at NECO, established to recognize outstanding clinical achievement and dedication to patient care.
New York Eye Award for Excellence in Clinical Optometry
Recognizes a currently enrolled student who exhibits academic excellence and displays outstanding clinical performance.
New York Eye Award for Excellence in Contact Lens Practice
Recognizes a currently enrolled student who displays excellence in contact lens practice and patient care.
Our deepest gratitude to New York Eye for supporting the next generation of optometric leaders!
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South Florida Alumni Gather to Share NECO Memories |
On Thursday, June 25, a small group of South Florida alumni gathered for an intimate dinner with President Howard Purcell, OD '84 at Eddie V's in Boca Raton. Locally hosted by Judi Schaffer, OD '93, it was a wonderful evening filled with fond memories of NECO and inspiring conversations about the future of the College. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to connect with one another and hear an update on the college’s strategic vision from Dr. Purcell. As he shared during the dinner, our community's collective strength is what allows us to keep pushing the boundaries of optometric education.
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#NECOProud: Alumni Leading the Way |
We are incredibly grateful to our alumni who continue to give back to NECO and champion the next generation of ODs. Thanks to your generosity, alumni gifts accounted for over 20% of all funds raised this fiscal year!
Didn’t get a chance to make your gift before our 2025-26 fiscal year ended on June 30th? Stay ahead of the curve! You can start the new school year strong by making your 2026–2027 gift today to support our students from day one.
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The Delaying the Onset of Nearsightedness Until Treatment (DONUT) Study is now recruiting participants at NECO. This NIH-funded clinical trial aims to study whether nightly low-dose atropine eye drops (0.05%) can prevent or delay the onset of myopia in children.
We are recruiting children aged 6 to less than 12 years old who are considered pre-myopic:
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Cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractive error approximately -0.74 to +0.75 D
- Age-specific criteria can be provided by the study coordinator
- Less than 1.50 D anisometropia (spherical equivalent difference)
- Less than 1.50 D astigmatism in each eye
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If eligible, the participants will undergo comprehensive eye examinations every six months for two years, and be assigned to either 0.05% atropine or placebo drops, administered once nightly for two years.
Additional benefits for participation include:
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Free comprehensive eye care as well as the option for a myopia control optical intervention (if the child becomes myopic during the study)
- Small monetary compensation for each visit.
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If you have a patient whose family is interested in participating or learning more, please contact the study team at donutstudy@neco.edu or (617) 587-5723.
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Elise Harb, OD ‘04, an Alumni Board Member and leading voice in optometric research, shares key takeaways from her ongoing myopia studies. Don’t miss her feature in the Mastering Myopia video series—watch the interview here.
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We want to hear from you! Whether you've opened a new practice, published a paper, started an innovative company, got married, had a baby, or learned of someone's passing, keep your NECO classmates informed.
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| New England College of Optometry
424 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 587-5700
Copyright ©2026 New England College of Optometry
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