Alumni

In addition to participating in quarterly board meetings, our Alumni Board of Directors serve NECO by:

• Chairing student engagement committees
• Representing the Board at college events
• Mentoring current students and recent graduates
• Participating in recruiting activities
• Supporting NECO’s fundraising appeals

• Cayla Bergstrom, OD ‘17, President
• Thomas Andrea, OD ‘14, Vice President
• Christie Simpson, OD ‘14, Secretary
• Jessica Leader Fortin, OD ’15, Immediate Past President

• Lamont Bunyon, OD `99

• Jason Chin, OD ’04

• Barbara Dune, OD ’10

• Jackie Garlich, OD ’10

• Anita Gulmiri, OD ‘15

• Jonathon Jimmerson, OD ’12
• Jameel Kanji, OD ’14
• Richard Lippman, OD ’68
• Alina Reznik, OD ’16
• Kayla Rose, OD ’19
• Maria Sampalis, OD ’07

• Jennifer Stewart, OD ’07

• Brian Wadman, OD ’85
• Jane Yang, OD ’19

• Phyllis Andrejko, OD ’97

• Linda Bennett, OD ‘80

• Lynn Brandes, OD ’87
• David Caban, OD ’77

• Paul Cangiano, OD ‘96

• Jeffrey Cohn, OD ‘12

• Jennifer Ellison, OD ’07
• William Gleason, OD ’74
• Elise Harb, OD ’04

• Joy Huang, OD ‘15

• Emily Kachinsky, OD ’08

• Jameel Kanji, OD ‘14

• Rich Laudon, OD ’75

• Richard Lippman, OD ‘68

• Stacy Lyons, OD ’88
• Andrew McLeod, OD ’06

• Afua Opoku-Debrah, OD ’18

• Maria Pham, OD ’11
• Walter Potaznick, OD ’76
• Angelica Scanzera, OD ’14

• Steven Weifenbach, OD ’17

• Hannah Yoon, OD ’20

• Matthew Bauer, OD ’09
• Lauren Moses Talbert, OD ’15

First female Canadian president of the American Academy of Optometry, and was instrumental in the formation of the Fellows Doing Research Special Interest Group, created to train and encourage the performance of clinical research by Fellows of the Academy.

Optometric educator and author, Dr. Carlson was a faculty member at NECO for 37 years, chair of the primary care department, and Chief of Staff at NECO’s clinics.

First Optometrist and Chief of Optometry Services at VA Long Beach Healthcare System, where she helped open the Major Charles Robert Soltes, Jr. Blind Rehabilitation Center to honor her late husband. She worked relentlessly to expand services, ranging from primary care to low vision assistance and traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation.

Past President of Wenzhou Medical University and first graduate of the NECO and WMU’s MS/OD program. She helped pioneer the establishment of optometry as a medical discipline in China.

First African American Optometrist to obtain the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Medical Department. Colonel Green held numerous impressive assignments during the three decades he served in the Army.

Founded Vision Salon Eye Care Associates in Blue Island, IL, which is renowned for its comprehensive approach to patient care.  Through numerous leadership positions, he has worked to reduce health disparities in underserved populations, as well as use his expertise in diabetes and glaucoma care to improve patient management and technology.

Inductee into the National Optometry Hall of Fame and National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. Korb is the creator of the first membrane hydrophilic contact lens and considered the godfather of modern thin disposable lenses.

First optometrist elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate. He served in the Virginia General Assembly for more than 30 years.

Prior to attending the Advanced Standing International Program (ASIP) at NECO, he had spent over 30 years in Afghanistan practicing the skills that his father, an ophthalmologist, had taught him. He used the skills he learned at NECO to organize and manage eye clinics and ophthalmic workshops throughout Afghanistan. Dr. Little was killed in 2010 while travelling to provide medical care in remote villages.

A low vision expert and researcher who has worked tirelessly on numerous national committees to increase the presence of on-site eye care services at community health centers.

First woman in the United States to be appointed as Dean of Academic Affairs at a college of optometry. She was a pioneer in both academic in clinical optometry, working to modernize the NECO curriculum and increase student and patient accessibility.  She later began her journey in private practice while serving as a Trustee for over 10 years, and is currently teaching in NECO’s Clinical Skills Lab, sharing her wealth of knowledge with the next generation of optometrists.