Industry Collaborative

NECO hosted the second Industry Collaborative August 29 and 30 in Boston, with over one hundred attendees from the eye care industry, healthcare, media, and academia.

“The Industry Collaborative brought together individuals from over 60 organizations to challenge one another to think differently about innovation within optometry,” said Gary Chu, OD, MPH, FAAO, NECO Vice President, Professional Affairs. “The objective of the Industry Collaborative is to expand awareness and understanding of the beliefs and experiences of others to accelerate adoption of innovative ideas, technologies, and services that will benefit our profession and our patients.”

Dr. Chu introduced a panel of executives to debate telehealth and the role of refraction in optometry. The group of industry leaders challenged one another on the balance of patient-centric care and accessibility to care. “Rethinking Refraction” was a spirited discussion that featured Joseph C. Kvedar MD, American Telemedicine Association and Harvard Medical School professor; Digital Optometrics founder, Howard Fried OD; Terri Gossard OD, trustee of the American Optometric Association; Steve Lee OD, MBA of VisionPros; and Shivang Dave PhD, Founder, and CEO of PlenOptika. Participants agreed there is a role for industry and associations in validating patient outcomes with new technologies and services and that the processes for doing so can be improved. There was discussion of the industry lagging in acceptance of innovative technology and as a result, lacking funding to drive innovation, which is considered a recipe for disruption. we organize a student’s education. This creates opportunities to offer extracurricular activities to allow students to take advantage of professional connections and career opportunities before they graduate. Industry can provide many of these impactful experiences.”

The second day of the Industry Collaborative kicked off with the students’ perspective.

Current NECO students discussed bridging the gap between students and industry leaders, the international, national, and state legislative impact on the practice of optometry, and the role debt will play in their decision-making post education. Students included Greta Pucci (fourth year Doctor of Optometry student), Sara Masood (third year Doctor of Optometry student), Matt Beaulieu (third year Doctor of Optometry student), Jnanendra Vegesna (Accelerated Doctor of Optometry Program student), and Emely Miniño Soto (second year Doctor of Optometry student).

Industry attendees and students advocated for more connection throughout their four years at NECO.

The Industry Collaborative was closed out with a final discussion led by President Purcell and Marc Ferrara, CEO of Jobson Optical Group and with industry professionals and executives on how the industry can better collaborate with students and schools to address gaps in preparedness. Taking part were Charissa Lee OD, MBA, FAAO Head of North America Professional Affairs at J&J Vision; Pratil Lal, OD, MBA Senior Director of Medical and Professional Affairs at Warby Parker; Vernon Dela Cruz, University & Student Relations Manager at VSP Global; Jill Saxon OD, FAAO Executive Director, Professional Strategy at Bausch + Lomb; Chris Lee MS, MBA Medical Science Liaison for Topcon Healthcare Solutions; and Steven Rosinski

OD Senior Manager, Professional & Academic Affairs at CooperVision. The panel indicated there is further need for advances in business acumen in graduates and improved systems of professional development post-graduation.

Colleagues from across the industry helped to make this an engaging experience and one that produced both answers and questions to be addressed in an ongoing dialog.