NECO Makes an Impact at AAO’s Annual Meeting
The American Academy of Optometry’s (AAO) Annual Meeting, or “Academy” as it has become known, was held in New Orleans, Louisiana this year with over 7,000 attendees. Our NECO faculty and residents stood out as leaders during the industry meeting as they presented 26 lectures and poster presentations, were honored with several industry awards, chaired special interest groups, and even taught research-based courses during AAO’s high-profile conference.
Our community came together and represented NECO at various events at Academy. Our alumni, faculty, residents, and students participated in the AAO Student Academic Challenge, Myopia Society for CooperVision presentation, and judged the AAO Ocular Photo Contest. With over 200 attendees, NECO’s Alumni Reception welcomed alumni, students, faculty and residents to the 2023 Academy.
Dr. Grover and NECO students at a MyEyeDr. booth
“Hosting this year’s Reception was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to meet students and connect with colleagues,” shares NECO’s Alumni Relations Liaison Dr. Alina Reznik ’16. “We successfully raised over $7,300 for student scholarships and were able to celebrate the accomplishments of our NECO community members who started new career journeys, welcomed new additions to their family, and even had their research published.”
Dr. Alina Reznik ’16 and Rachel Harmon welcome attendees to NECO’s Alumni Reception
“Academy provided a great opportunity to receive exceptional CE, collaborate with peers, and explore the city of New Orleans,” recounts Dr. Jeffrey Ho, Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry and Attending Optometrist at NECO Center for Eye Care. “I was able to showcase my low vision research, lead a workshop for clinicians to review optometric skills, judge the AAO Ocular Photography contest, and even help coach the NECO Academic Challenge team. It was a rewarding experience to share knowledge with colleagues and have fun along the way.”
Dr. Ho with his low vision research poster
Faculty also presented lectures on important topics that affect clinicians in the field. Dr. Diane Russo, Associate Professor of Optometry, Director of Clinical Education, and Assistant Director of Residencies at NECO spoke with co-lecturer, Dr. Ruth Shoge about the relevancy of race in clinical practice and how clinicians should be questioning what they mean when they say “Race.” “As we ask this question we find that genetics, geographic ancestry, and/or social determinants of health are the more relevant and accurate terms and etiologies, whereas race has historically been used as a gross proxy in health care,” shares Dr. Russo. “This lecture calls attention to why we should move away from race-based medicine.”
Dr. Shoge and Dr. Russo at their presentation on the relevancy of race in clinical practice
NECO Residents also represented the school through research presentations and participation in different learning experiences.
“I was proud to represent NECO’s pediatric residency program during the Joint Scientific Program/Residents Program Poster Session at Academy,” discusses NECO resident Dr. Jacqueline Kenney. “My poster was titled ‘Hyphema and Bilateral Retinal Detachments in a Pediatric Patient with Self-injurious Behavior Associated with Trisomy-21 and Autism Spectrum Disorder’ which was so exciting to share and hear feedback from people.”
During her time in the Joint Program Session, Dr. Kenney connected and shared her experiences with other clinicians involved in treating patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder. “Many people offered encouraging feedback regarding the main message of the case: that patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities and self-injurious behavior should be referred promptly for an exam and monitored over time. It was wonderful to meet so many colleagues with similar interests and interesting perspectives.”
Dr. Kenney with her pediatric trisomy-21 and autism spectrum disorder research poster
For students in attendance, they found the opportunity to network with and introduce themselves to new industry professionals and optometrists who have found diverse ways of moving the profession forward. By stepping out of their comfort zones, students saw first hand the many opportunities that are available after graduation.
Dr. Purcell and students at an Academy event
“My favorite lecture I attended was Alcon’s Business of Optometry,” shares Carissa Flemming Class of 2025. “It showcased both the wisdom of Dr. Glover and the entrepreneurial spirit of Robert Herjavec–the Shark himself. Academy re-energized my passion for optometry,” explains Carissa. “Experiences like representing NECO as the Myopia Society Liaison for CooperVision, serving as the AAO Student Liaison, and cheering on my classmates at the AAO Student Academic Challenge hosted by EssilorLuxottica really inspired me to keep going and reminded me why I wanted to be an optometrist.”
Left to right: Dr. Jennifer Reilly, Carissa Flemming and Theda Ackep
Academy is held every year and provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and alumni to join together and feel empowered and engaged with their chosen profession and course of study. Optometry is a far reaching profession and industry that has a large impact on changing the way people see the world. NECO is proud of the many ways our community members contribute not only to Academy, but to optometry itself.