Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Solomon Gould ’12

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Solomon Gould ’12

“On the Business Management Side of Optometry”

I knew I had chosen the right optometry school the moment I first stepped into the Hogwarts-like building in Boston. My four years at NECO included a lot of hard work, minimal sleep, and excessive caffeine, but also lifelong memories with dear friends that I will forever cherish.

I learned to foster a balance of both academic and clinical expertise, while also establishing a unique approach to practicing optometry. To this day, I see my fellow NECO alumni paving the way for new perspectives and progressing the industry forward. It inspires me to do the same each and every day.

While a student at NECO, I discovered a passion for the business aspect of optometry. Parallel to my academics, I eagerly studied and learned about business and practice management. I applied this knowledge right away in my first position as an associate optometrist in Middlebury, Vermont at Eye Care Associates, PC. Within the first months of working there, I was the highest billing associate OD out of all of their providers across three locations and maintained this until I was recruited into industry. 

Over the past decade, I have worked for multiple large-scale private equity corporations in various leadership positions and earned an MBA along the way. Today, I serve as the Senior Clinical Director of Operations for EssilorLuxottica on the Eye Care Team. I am honored and inspired to work with the best and brightest in the industry to innovate and progress the profession forward.

I would like to personally thank all of the NECO faculty who helped to shape the early years of my optometry journey; as well as my wife Heidi, ten-month old daughter Emery, and our golden doodle Maddie. I would also encourage any student to reach out to me with any questions or ideas about my experience and journey. (Link Below)