The Veterans Affairs (VA) Optometry Service stands today as the nation’s largest clinical training program for eye care professionals, but few know the pivotal role that New England College of Optometry (NECO) graduates played in its creation and evolution. Their innovative approach to integrated healthcare in the 1970s laid the foundation for what has become a cornerstone of veterans’ health services.
Building the Foundation and Key Milestones
Former director of clinical development, Charles Mullen, OD ’69, pioneered an integrated clinical training model that was radical for its time. He placed optometry students in community health centers and VA facilities where they would work alongside other healthcare providers. “Charlie Mullen trained us in a way that was years ahead of its time, and we took the model and ran with it,” reflects Kenneth Myers, OD ’74, who would become the founding director of VA Optometry. His experience with integrated healthcare proved instrumental in shaping the service’s future.
Dr. Myers secured congressional approval for PL 94-581, officially establishing the VA Optometry Service. Equal pay and promotion opportunities were achieved for VA optometrists. An initial wave of NECO graduates took leadership positions, including Clifford Scott, OD ’68 (later NECO president), Barry Fisch, OD ’71, Rodney Gutner, OD ’73, and Gerald Selvin, OD ’73.
Evolution, Innovation, and The VA’s Impact Today
Under Dr. Gutner’s leadership (1981-2008), the VA’s externship and residency programs underwent significant expansion. In 2003, a team of NECO alumni including Anthony Cavallerano, OD ’72, Barry Fisch, and Gerald Selvin launched the VA Boston Ocular Telehealth Center and Diabetic Teleretinal Imaging Program, revolutionizing veteran eye care.
VA Optometrists now serve 1.8 million veterans at 350 VA locations and perform 3.4 million encounters per year. They provide comprehensive eye care including advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for combat-related injuries, management of chronic conditions, specialized care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) vision problems, virtual reality-based rehabilitation programs, and telehealth services reaching rural veterans.
NECO Faculty and students pictured during the COVID-19 Pandemic at the VA in Providence
NECO Alumni Impacting the VA
NECO’s connection to VA facilities is far reaching across the nation. In fact, Long Beach, California is home to a familiar alumni making great strides in Veteran eye care. Dr. Sally Dang OD ‘94, MPH joined VA Long Beach Healthcare System in 2011 as the first optometrist on staff. She was named Chief of Optometry Services and opened the Major Charles Robert Soltes, Jr. Blind Rehabilitation Center in 2012 to honor her late husband and NECO 1994 graduate to serve individuals in need of vision rehabilitation.
Dr. Sally Dang ’94
Dr. Dang established and expanded the VA Long Beach Healthcare System Optometry department to provide a comprehensive continuum of care. It now includes primary care services, low vision assistance, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation. She has established VA training programs that include a primary care and low vision residency program, a two-year polytrauma TBI optometry fellowship, four externship affiliations, and an occupational therapy externship program for vision rehabilitation.
She is currently the Branch Chief at the Vision Center of Excellence (VCE), where her role is to bridge collaborative efforts between the Department of Defense (DoD) and VA to address the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of eye injuries and vision dysfunction in servicemembers and veterans.
Enriching the Student Experience and Unparalleled Scope of Practice
For NECO students, the VA clinical rotations represent an invaluable component of their training. Rather than merely observing, students take an active, hands-on role in patient care. They perform comprehensive eye exams, managing ocular diseases, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. The VA’s investment in advanced diagnostic technologies, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual field analyzers, and imaging systems, gives students the opportunity to hone their skills with cutting-edge equipment.
A key advantage of the VA system is its ability to enable optometrists to practice at the full scope of their training and licensure. It helps Doctors move past state regulations that often limit their abilities in private practice settings. “The VA healthcare system has embraced optometry as an integral part of its care model, recognizing the vital role we play in managing not only ocular diseases but also complex systemic conditions,” explains Dr. Jonathon Jimmerson ’12, NECO Director of Externships and Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry.
A Unique and Rewarding Work Environment and Enhancing Patient Quality of Life
The VA’s commitment to education and patient-centric care has made it an attractive destination for optometrists. “Working in the VA offers a unique experience rooted in the dual focus on education and comprehensive, interprofessional patient care,” says Dr. Jimmerson, who completed a Residency at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital. “The ability to collaborate closely with ophthalmologists, primary care physicians, and other specialists creates a truly rewarding environment that fosters professional growth and allows us to have a tangible impact on our patients’ quality of life.”
Dr.s Grace Ho and Gabriella Watson completed a residency at the VA Boston in 2024
The VA’s interprofessional model integrates eye care with ophthalmology, primary care, and other specialties. It ensures that patients’ vision needs are addressed holistically. “Optometry services are critical to enhancing patient quality of life by delivering care that addresses both vision needs and overall health,” says Dr. Jimmerson. “Early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss and improve daily functioning for veterans.”
A Partnership Built for the Future
The lasting nature of the NECO-VA partnership can be credited to their shared commitment to clinical success, patient-centric care, and educational innovation. As healthcare continues to change, this collaboration adapts to meet new challenges, incorporating advances like tele-optometry and AI-driven diagnostics.
“The future of this partnership looks promising as both entities continue to adapt to evolving healthcare needs and technological advancements,” affirms Dr. Jimmerson. “The NECO-VA alliance will continue to be a vital part of optometric education and patient care for years to come.”
The partnership between NECO and the VA continues to grow. Dr. Doug Rett ’05, current Chief of Optometry for the Boston VA Healthcare System, leads a team of many NECO graduates and residents. This historic partnership serves as a model for optometric education and patient care. It stands as a testament to the lasting impact of visionary leadership in healthcare. As NECO and the VA system continue to work together, they ensure that both the next generation of optometrists and our nation’s veterans receive the highest quality care possible.
link
More Stories
A boy’s vision problem was wrongly diagnosed as a learning disability
This Is How Exercise Can Support Your Vision as You Age
Visual Acuity Improvements Found After Rehabilitation With Digital Video Games