Justin Vo began college studying mechanical engineering in Oklahoma, only to one day be treating the vision of Navy pilots. Now, as a member of the Class of 2025 at the New England College of Optometry (NECO), Justin has graduated, taken the Oath of Office, and been promoted to Lieutenant, all in an effort to launch a meaningful career in military optometry.
Finding His Vision
Justin’s path to optometry was anything but linear. After switching majors, he completed his undergraduate degree in molecular cell biology and physiology at California State University, Long Beach.
“I was considering several healthcare fields,” Justin recalls, “but a personal experience really shaped my decision.”
That experience came when he developed an eye infection from poor contact lens hygiene. His treatment, including orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, sparked a newfound appreciation for eye care. Working in various ophthalmology and optometry practices led him to interact with Doctors and was under the mentorship of charismatic and compassionate doctors, including Dr. Huong Trang ’10.
Justin was drawn to the engaging patient interactions he witnessed, and the balance between clinical demands with a healthy homelife that optometry offered—something he didn’t see as often in other healthcare fields.
Breaking Down Financial Barriers
Like many aspiring healthcare professionals, Justin faced the challenge of affording optometry school. Determined to fund his education independently, he discovered the Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) through campus events and his own research.
“The scholarship completely removed the financial barriers to my education,” Justin shares. “I didn’t want to rely on my parents, who had already given me so much. Without it, I may not have been able to pursue optometry on my own terms.”
Though his family initially had reservations about Justin joining the military, they’ve since become his strongest supporters, especially after seeing the opportunities the scholarship had provided.
Life at NECO
While the military scholarship shaped his future, Justin’s day-to-day life at NECO was similar to his classmates’. He developed a stronger interest in contact lenses and was motivated by the care he provided to patients with a variety of eye conditions.
During one summer break, he attended Officer Development School (ODS), a six-week training program in Newport, Rhode Island. There, Justin immersed himself in military tradition and training, including daily physical training, room and uniform inspections, marching in formation, and emergency shipboard simulations. He experienced firsthand the camaraderie that defines military life with fellow officers.
Following ODS, Justin completed clinical rotations at White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the Naval Health Clinic New England. He worked under the mentorship of Dr. Silvia-Hall ’12 and Commander Jimenez Meyers.
“These experiences were invaluable,” Justin says. “I was able to serve veterans and active-duty members in a way that broadened my perspective on comprehensive eye care—and being treated as an officer by corpsmen and preceptors alike helped me grow into my future role.”
Looking to the Sky
After graduation, Justin will report to Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi, where he’ll provide vision care for Navy and Marine Corps flight trainees. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue additional training in Pensacola, Florida to become an Aerospace Optometrist, a role that could eventually lead to collaborations with NASA.
“I’m fascinated by optometric aerospace research,” he says. “It combines my passion for vision care with the science of how flight environments affect the eyes and how we can optimize visual performance for pilots.”
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