More than 100 Canadian optometry students from the New England College of Optometry (NECO) and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) took part in the third annual NextGEN OD Canada “Future Focus” conference on March 26 at NECO’s Beacon Street campus in Boston. The event was broadcast live from Federation Hall at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, with an additional “watch party” hosted at SUNY College of Optometry in Manhattan.
The evening began with a networking dinner, providing students with valuable opportunities to engage with peers and explore career development pathways. Attendees connected with representatives from five industry-leading sponsors: VOGUE Optical, OSI, Eye Recommend, FYI Doctors, and Specsavers.
The formal program opened with a dynamic panel discussion featuring questions from both in-person and virtual audiences. Topics included the Canadian board certification process, scope of practice variations, and the realities of practicing in rural versus urban environments.
Dr. Jenny Lee (UW ’23) delivered the keynote address live from NECO, offering insights from her early career as an optometrist and sharing practical advice for students preparing to enter the profession.
NextGEN OD Canada continues to serve as an essential platform for fostering cross-border connections and equipping future optometrists with critical knowledge and inspiration as they transition into professional practice. The conference will be rebroadcast with live hosts on April 3, 2025.
“We are keenly aware of the unique value that Canadian students bring to our community,” said NECO President and CEO, Dr. Howard Purcell. “Rest assured that NECO will continue to be a welcoming home for Canadian students as you prepare to become highly skilled optometrists and the future leaders in our field.”
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