New England College of Optometry
Alumni News
January 24, 2012
We met our fundraising goal for our mobile eye clinic! Thank you to our generous donors and to the John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation, who put forth the challenge grant to fund New England Eye’s On-Sight mobile eye clinic. To date $29,013 has been raised, qualifying for the $10,000 challenge grant and bringing the total raised to $39,013. Together we will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of the children and older adults we serve at senior housing sites, schools, and community agencies.
October 26, 2011
Did you hear…………………….
The Art of Practice
NECO / VSP Practice Management Evening Seminar Series
The Alumni Association of the New England College of Optometry has continued its trend of hosting local programs in the Boston area for small groups of alumni and NECO students. The first event of the 2011-12 Academic year, "The Art of Practice," was held on October 19th at the College and was attended by close to 25 students and alumni. This occasion was the first in a series of programs co-sponsored by VSP and the Alumni Association. The session included an informal discussion and interactive program conducted by Robert H. Nelson, District Director of the Massachusetts office of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This newest series is coordinated by David Mills, OD, MBA, instructor of record for the Ophthalmic Business and Management course at NECO. He shared, "This seminar series gives our students and young alums exposure to practice management issues that many wrestle with. Over the next two years, we will be presenting a number of topics that will enhance the participant’s knowledge in business management.”
This program was somewhat of a departure from what is typically available for students. Although some of the evening's items are covered in Dr. Mills' course, the different perspective provided by the guests provided an interesting and unique approach to thinking about opportunities for practice. Lindsey Wetherby, a third year student at NECO, was at the evening's session. "After attending the VSP event, I am now aware of an additional resource to explore in the future when I might be starting or continuing a practice. The Small Business Administration seems to have an abundance of opportunities to help optometric professionals through the process of applying for small business loans, in particular, the business consulting that they can provide. I intend to keep this information in mind for the future."
Resources offered through SBA are pertinent for recent graduates thinking about a new practice startup, but the information shared with the group was also relevant for existing practices. Opportunities for creating a business plan, obtaining financing, and creating a marketing plan can be very useful for existing practices. Dr. Lauren LaPaglia, from the class of 2005, recognized the value of the information imparted during the session. She was also impressed with the commitment that the Alumni Association and NECO had for students and alumni alike. Dr. LaPaglia remarked, "Although it should be natural for alumni to seek further academic opportunities with the College, this was my first educational event at NECO since graduating six years ago. I was very impressed with how informative the speaker was; the intimate, yet informal session allowed me to ask questions that pertained to me.”
This event marked the first in a succession of local programs co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and VSP. The second event is scheduled for January 19, 2012, with the "Art of Practice" theme continuing with a panel discussion by Dr. Michael Cohn and Steve Montaquilla on Insurance Plan Evaluation. Additional programs scheduled in 2012 include a presentation on April 25 on internal and external marketing by Dr. Mary Boname. Even though these alumni events are held for attendees from metropolitan Boston, this format-an informal gathering of alumni in your area-is a great way to connect with classmates, associates, and even future students. Concerts, sporting events, a restaurant dining are all ideas for local, small scale alumni events in your locale. Please contact JoAnn Gershaw if you would like additional ideas or help in holding an event in your area.
Please feel free to contact me through the Office of Institutional Advancement with any thoughts or suggestions, at alumni@neco.edu.
All the best,
Kristen Griebel, OD ’ 97
October 13, 2011
Academy Came to Boston
The American Academy of Optometry's Academy 2011 was held October 11-15, 2011 at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Boston Hotel.
On Thursday evening, we opened our doors to alumni and friends, and welcomed over 300 guests into our rooms at 424 Beacon Street. Current and former students, faculty, staff, and friends enjoyed an evening of reconnecting and reminiscing.
Photos: click HERE to view photos from this event.
June 01, 2011
Did you hear…………………….
Classes are over, and graduation ceremonies are already in the past for 114 students who are now full fledged optometrists. More than 1200 family and friends filled the Back Bay Events Center to honor this year’s graduating class as they enter into our profession. The Office of Institutional Advancement has gained a new contingent of members and we hope that all of our graduates will stay in touch as they shift into their new personal and now professional lives. We wish all of our new alumni the best of luck in their roles as the newest of NECO’s alumni optometrists.
Summer is slowly but surely starting to take shape and the alumni affairs staff already has plans for some local events for Alumni and friends. We invite you do join us in some celebrating a few “rites of summer.” On June 21st and for the first time, the Alumni Association is hosting an evening at the Boston Pops. The event marks an opportunity to listen as the Pops pays tribute to baseball, featuring many of the songs from the Pops CD - The Red Sox Album. “There’s nothing more ‘Boston’ than the Pops and the Sox. We hope you can be there for this rare occasion to experience both, not only on the same evening but at the same time!” – President Clifford Scott, OD ’68. Come join us for an evening of summer fun, and for the opportunity to unite with some of our local Alumni. For information or to purchase Boston Pops tickets for June 21st, please contact Mary Fitzgerald at 617-587-5647 (fitzgeraldm@neco.edu). Also, don’t forget to ask for more information about tickets remaining for a select number of Boston Red Sox games.
This Alumni event marks the third in a series of local programs sponsored by the Alumni Association. This format, an informal gathering of Alumni, is a great way to connect with classmates, associates, and even future students. In addition to this offering at the Boston Pops, sporting events, theater, and restaurant dining are all ideas that lend themselves to, small scale, Alumni events in your locale. If you have ideas or are interested in helping to organize an event in your area please contact Jo Ann Gershaw, Director of Alumni Affairs & Special Events at 617-587-5607 (gershawj@neco.edu).
I look forward to seeing you this summer!
Kristen Griebel, OD ‘97
President, Alumni Association
March 25, 2011
Did you hear…..the Alumni Association of the New England College of Optometry has begun hosting a series of local events in the Boston area for small groups of Alumni and NECO students? The first event, a wine and cheese tasting, was held on Thursday, February 17th at the College. The event was attended by close to 50 Alumni and students. Alumni from recent graduating classes, dating back to 2000, had an opportunity to meet and talk with students, share professional as well as life experiences, while having an opportunity to reconnect with classmates, to network, and to socialize with friends. The evening was punctuated by a sample of wines, provided by a local purveyor, and attendees had an opportunity to learn about different grapes and different wine regions of the world. Student Council President, Jonathon Jimmerson, OD3, attended the event and had this to say “It was a low-key social event that provided an avenue for stimulating conversation. We were able to meet people in a setting that allowed us to gather some valuable information while keeping with a very collegial atmosphere.” Past President of Student Council, Amanda Powers, OD 4, commented “The wine and cheese reception was a great opportunity for current students to meet recent alumni and learn about their experiences after graduation. It was interesting to pick their brains about their career choices. It was also a nice time to see each other and catch up since we've been busy on our rotations.”
This event marked the first in a succession of local programs sponsored by the Alumni Association. The second event is scheduled for March 30th, and the theme "Alternatives to Private Practice - The Opportunities and Options with a Doctor of Optometry Degree” presented by Dr. Bill Gleason, '74, President of Foresight Regulatory Strategies, Inc.
Although these Alumni events are held for attendees from metropolitan Boston, this format, namely an informal gathering of Alumni in your area is a great way to connect with classmates, associates, and even future students. Concerts, sporting events, and restaurant dining are all ideas for local, small scale, Alumni events in your locale. Please contact JoAnn Gershaw at gershawj@neco.edu if you have ideas or are willing to help in holding an event in your area.
Kristen Griebel, OD '97
President, Alumni Association