On Sunday, July 13, 2025, the New England College of Optometry celebrated one of its most profound and enduring traditions: the White Coat Ceremony. Held at the George Sherman Union at Boston University, the event marked a pivotal moment for the Class of 2028 as they donned their white coats for the first time—symbolizing the transition from classroom learning to clinical care.
More than a ceremonial milestone, the White Coat Ceremony represents a commitment to the values that define the healthcare profession: compassion, integrity, and service. In front of family, faculty, friends, and peers, each student was coated—an outward sign of an inward promise to serve patients with skill and empathy. The room pulsed with a shared sense of pride, purpose, and anticipation.
Dr. Howard Purcell, NECO’s President and CEO, offered powerful words of encouragement:
“Wear your white coat with pride and compassion,” he told the students. “Never lose sight of what you do and why you do it. Remember the great Martin Luther King, Jr., who said that ‘intelligence plus character—that’s the goal of true education.’”
Coating the students were two NECO alumni and faculty members who know this journey well: Dr. Jennifer Reilly, OD ’15, Associate Professor of Optometry, and Dr. Benjamin Young, OD ’17, Associate Professor of Optometry.
Dr. Reilly acknowledged the challenges ahead, while encouraging students to embrace the growth that comes from struggle.
“Smooth seas never made skilled sailors,” she reminded them. “Comfort is the enemy of competence. But every challenge you face will help you become a better doctor—and a better human being.”
Dr. Young emphasized the power of connection in patient care.
“Sometimes it starts with something as simple as the weather,” he said. “It’s a shared experience that can spark conversation and build trust. Meeting your patients where they are is the first step to making a difference in their lives.”
Further affirming that message, Dr. Timothy Bossie, Senior Director of Owned Clinics & Outreach Affiliations, and Dr. Amy Moy, Senior Director of Health Care Initiatives & Optometric Compliance, spoke to the broader responsibilities of optometrists in supporting both the physical and emotional health of patients.
“You’re now part of something bigger,” said Dr. Bossie. “Your care impacts your patients’ lives in ways you may never fully see.” He echoed Dr. Young’s advice about building trust: “Start where they are and find common ground. It’s great advice.”
Dr. Moy closed with a call for lifelong learning.
“After graduation, it’s tempting to think you know it all,” she said with a smile. “But staying curious, revisiting your notes, and keeping up with changes in the field—that’s how you keep growing.”
Dr. Erik Weissberg, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, officially presented the members of the Class of 2028, along with students from NECO’s Advanced Standing International Program (ASIP) and Accelerated Optometric Degree Program (AODP), before Drs. Reilly and Young helped each student into their white coat.
To the newest class entering the profession, we say: Welcome! The path ahead will challenge and inspire you. And as you step forward, know that you carry not only the hopes of those who trained you—but also the trust of those you will one day serve. Your journey has just begun, and we look forward to seeing the difference you’ll make in the world of eye care—and beyond.