2026 Agenda

Friday, November 6, 2026

WBUR/CitySpace
890 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

8:00AM
Registration desk opens.

9:00–9:15AM
Welcome & Opening Framing

Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, Dipl.
President & CEO, NECO

Opening remarks setting the stage for cross-sector dialogue on technological transformation, clinical rigor, and patient-centered care.

9:15–9:30AM
Jobson Survey Insights: Clinical Reasoning & AI

Presentation of findings from the national survey conducted in partnership with Jobson regarding perceptions of AI, cognitive offloading, and learning in optometry.

9:30–10:30AM
Keynote Fireside Chat with John Della Volpe

John Della Volpe
Director of Polling, Harvard Kennedy School IOP

A candid conversation examining Harvard IOP polling data on Gen Z’s views of authority, institutional trust, digital fatigue, and learning expectations. Followed by Q&A.

10:30–10:45AM
Morning Break

10:45–11:30AM
Gen Z Student Panel with John Della Volpe

Current optometry students from several optometry schools join John Della Volpe to share realities and expectations for clinical education.

11:30AM–12:30PM
Lunch & Executive Networking

12:30–2:30PM
Feature Session: Clinical Reason in the Age of Generative AI

Joshua Baker, OD
President & CEO
Midwestern University

Melissa Trego OD, PhD
Vice President & Dean for Academic Affairs
SUNY College of Optometry

Randall Case, PhD
Senior Director of Learning, Technology & Innovation
NECO

Heather Edmonds, MLIS, FAAO
Director of Library Services
NECO

A comprehensive panel and workshop on curriculum redesign, preventing “never-skilling,” applying the DEFT-AI supervisory model, and balancing Centaur vs. Cyborg workflows in clinical education.

2:30–2:45AM
Afternoon Break

2:45–3:30PM
Media & Student Roundtable

A synthesized roundtable discussion bringing together student perspectives and optometric media leaders to analyze key takeaways from the day.

3:30–4:00PM
Conclusion & Call to Action

Gary Chu, OD, MPH
Vice President, Professional Affairs
NECO

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