Higher Ed Pulse

Live at ASU+GSV: Eyes on Innovation

Episode Summary

Live from the ASU GSV AIR Show and Summit, Mallory chats with Howard Purcell, President of New England College of Optometry. Howard shares his unique journey from industry to academia and discusses the innovative ways his institution is tackling challenges like student debt and diversity in the applicant pool. With a focus on integrating AI and telehealth into optometry education, Howard provides a provocative look at the future of medical training.Key Takeaways

Episode Notes

Live from the ASU GSV AIR Show and Summit, Mallory chats with Howard Purcell, President of New England College of Optometry. Howard shares his unique journey from industry to academia and discusses the innovative ways his institution is tackling challenges like student debt and diversity in the applicant pool. With a focus on integrating AI and telehealth into optometry education, Howard provides a provocative look at the future of medical training.

Key Takeaways:

• Insights on higher education’s readiness for disruption and the embrace of new technologies such as AI, virtual reality, and telehealth.
• Innovative student debt solutions implemented by Howard’s institution, involving partnerships to fund education.
• The use of AI to enhance clinical education and patient care, including real-time global research access to improve diagnoses.
• Howard’s vision for modernizing medical education to cater to diverse learning styles and the integration of cutting-edge technologies.
• An open invitation from Howard to collaborate on overcoming educational challenges and modernizing teaching methods.

Guest Name: Howard Purcell, President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO)

Guest Bio: Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate and FNAP has been President and CEO of the New England College of Optometry (NECO) since July 2018. Before assuming his leadership role at NECO, he served as Senior Vice President at Essilor of America and Senior Director at Johnson and Johnson Vision Care. A second generation graduate of the New England College of Optometry, Dr. Purcell also participated in a group optometric practice for eleven years with his father in Miami Beach, FL. Beginning in June 1991, Dr. Purcell joined the faculty of Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. During his career at the college, he was a principle in the development of the Department of Cornea and Contact Lenses. Reaching the rank of Associate Professor, Dr. Purcell was responsible for both the didactic and clinical components of the program, serving as the Deputy Dean of the college. Dr. Purcell is a Diplomate in the Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry. His energetic and enthusiastic style has made Dr. Purcell a popular lecturer internationally. Purcell’s unique philosophies and practices have often attracted the media to focus attention on current optometric issues and research in the industry.