(PRESS RELEASE) BOSTON, MA — The Board of Trustees at New England College of Optometry (NECO) announced the distinguished honorees for its 132nd Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Boston’s Symphony Hall.
Honorary Degree Recipient: H. Eric Cushing
H. Eric Cushing
H. Eric Cushing is a philanthropist who is passionate about both research and clinical care. He has demonstrated a deep and growing commitment to NECO’s Low Vision Program and Clinic. His gifts in 2023 and 2025 provided major support for the work of Dr. Nicole Ross, and reflect both his vision and personal hopes for the future of low vision research and rehabilitation advances.
In 2002, Mr. Cushing established the H. Eric Cushing Foundation, a private foundation based in Chestnut Hill, MA. The foundation supports a growing portfolio and network of innovative research and clinical initiatives in vision, including Yale University for the study of Advanced Macular Degeneration and NECO’s Low Vision Lab.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Yavar Ali Khan, RO
Yavar Ali Khan, RO
Yavar Ali Khan, RO was born in Hyderabad, India and immigrated to Canada in 1968. He landed his first job in the optical industry as a lab trainee in 1968, and by 1970, he was skilled in all phases of the optical industry. In 1973, he completed the ophthalmic dispensing program at Ryerson Polytechnic University and has been a licensed optician in Ontario, Canada since then.
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Mr. Khan was appointed by the Government of Ontario to the College of Opticians of Ontario, where he served as Chairman of the Governing Board of Opticians. He founded the Academy of Ophthalmic Education 32 years ago, and since then, the company has been providing officially accredited education to the eye care community across North America. Mr. Khan also founded the Canadian Society of Eye Health Practitioners, a charitable organization that has raised funds for hospitals and other eye care organizations. He owns and operates two independent optical dispensing stores and is president and CEO of the Academy of Ophthalmic Education.
Presidential Medal Recipient: Yvette Waddell, MBA, GAICD
Yvette Waddell MBA, GAICD (UNSW)
Yvette Waddell MBA, GAICD (UNSW) is the CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute, a position that she has held since July 2018. She was previously the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer under the late Professor Brien Holden.
Ms. Waddell’s signature career achievement is her tireless advocacy for myopia awareness and promotion of the global endeavors to reduce its prevalence. Since its inception, she has been the steward of the International Myopia Institute, the leading global consortium of experts dedicated to counter myopia through scientific consensus. Under her guidance, the Brien Holden Vision Institute created “Myopia Awareness Week” in 2018. Through a broad collaboration with Review of Myopia Management, Myopia Awareness Week has since evolved into an annual global effort to promote a greater understanding of childhood myopia as a treatable disease.
Valedictorians: Olivia Carey & Carly Davies, Class of 2026
Olivia Carey
Olivia Carey grew up in Dover, New Hampshire. She received her BS in Biological Sciences with a minor in Business from the University of Maryland, College Park. She chose to pursue optometry while working as an optometric technician in Maryland under the supervision of a NECO alum, Tess Deresienski, OD.
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During her time at NECO, Olivia was an anatomy teaching assistant and had the privilege of performing cadaver dissections to assist with her peers’ education. Some of her most memorable experiences involve classes taught by Dr. Maureen Hanley, including the after-hours seminars on diabetes and glaucoma. Following graduation, Olivia will commission with the United States Navy to work as a Naval Optometrist for the next four years.
Carly Davies
Carly Davies grew up in Terrace, British Columbia in Canada. She received her Bachelor of Health Science from Mount Royal University in Calgary and played varsity volleyball during her undergraduate career. She chose to pursue optometry to make a meaningful impact by contributing to her community through scientific knowledge.
Carly developed a strong interest in pediatric care during her time working with Dr. Stacy Lyons. She believes that interest started the day she watched a child do the “Dougie” (a hip-hop dance) in his dilation sunglasses while his mom looked on with the perfect mix of embarrassment and pride. Carly plans to return to British Columbia after graduation to begin her career.
For more information, email Michael Sellers, Director of Marketing & Communications at NECO.
