NECO Honors Deserving Alumni with Distinguished Award

NECO Honors Deserving Alumni with Distinguished Award

The New England College of Optometry (NECO) is honored to recognize its 2023 Distinguished Alumni honorees: Dr. Ansel T. Johnson ’85 and Dr. Mary Scott ’68.

NECO has a long history of graduating change makers who go on to make a significant impact across communities. As an institution, we are pleased to take time to recognize some of these individuals through our Distinguished Alumni award. This award is given annually to alumni who have changed the optometric profession and countless patients’ lives.

NECO President and CEO Dr. Howard Purcell shares his excitement, “NECO has a rich tradition of supporting and celebrating our community members, and both Dr. Johnson and Dr. Scott embodies NECO’s mission and vision as they actively teach students, patients, and other healthcare professionals about vision health and propel eye care for all to new heights.”

These distinguished alumni have furthered the optometric profession through their leadership and belief in the role optometrists can play in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. They each have taken a different path, yet one theme is constant: they collaborate and work with others to move our profession forward and influence the growth and development of future optometrists to change the way people see the world.

Dr. Ansel T. Johnson graduated from NECO in 1985 and completed a postgraduate certificate from the Optometry Executive Program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1990, Dr. Johnson started his private practice, Vision Salon Eye Care Associates in Blue Island, Illinois, renowned for its comprehensive approach to patient care. Recognizing the link between diabetes and eye health, Dr. Johnson became a certified lifestyle coach for the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program, and his practice is the first and only eye care facility in Illinois to include a Nationally Certified Diabetes Self-Management Program further solidifying his commitment to holistic patient care. Dr. Johnson is also on staff at Advocate Trinity Hospital in Chicago.

As a respected member of the Optometry Board for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation from 1999 to 2009 and an Adjunct Professor for several optometry schools, Dr. Johnson has shaped the future of the profession. His practice also serves as an externship site, clinically preparing the next generation of optometrists.

In 2020 Dr. Johnson founded Healthy Living with a Vision Foundation with a mission to eliminate health disparities in communities that have been traditionally underserved. Healthy Living sees a society where individuals are empowered and manage their own good health and wellness with knowledge and innovative technologies. Dr. Johnson's advocacy for better representation of People of Color in healthcare advancements has led to significant contributions in clinical trials and studies. His partnerships with eye care organizations focus on technologies and the management of glaucoma and diabetes, areas where his expertise is nationally recognized.

Dr. Johnson has twice been honored in Black Enterprise Magazine as one of America’s top 101 African American Doctors, the only Optometrist to be included on the list. He was also recognized at the White House as a Head Start Program success story and role model.

Serving on the Board of Directors for the Optometric Nutrition Society and other community-based boards, Dr. Johnson's influence is far-reaching. He is a man of strong faith and a visionary leader dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of his patients and beyond. Dr. Johnson credits the love and support over the years from his parents and family for his life's journey and accomplishments. Dr. Johnson is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on the health and wellness of a community and the world.

Dr. Mary Scott graduated as valedictorian of her 1968 class. Her distinguished career is marked by significant contributions to both academic and clinical optometry, particularly through her work at NECO. In her academic role, Dr. Scott played a pivotal part in expanding NECO's academic reach. As an Associate Professor, she was instrumental in launching the Optometric Technicians' program in collaboration with Fisher Jr. College. This innovative program offered an Associate degree and provided a unique pathway for students interested in exploring optometry as a career.

Dr. Scott's influence extended beyond the classroom as she was deeply involved in strategic planning at NECO. Her efforts were crucial in making the academic experience more accessible and in modernizing the curriculum to better serve the evolving needs of students and patients. Her dedication to teaching and her administrative acumen led to her historic appointment as the Dean of Academic Affairs, making her the first woman in the United States to hold such a position at a College of Optometry.

Dr. Scott always maintained a strong commitment to patient care. She began her clinical practice at the Teamsters Vision Center in Charlestown and later took on a leadership role as the Head of Optometry Services at Southborough Medical Group, which later became the Reliant Medical Group. Throughout her career in group practice, Dr. Scott's dedication to NECO never wavered. She served as a Trustee on the Board for over 10 years, contributing to significant advancements within the institution.

Today, Dr. Scott is retired but continues to share her wealth of knowledge and experience by teaching in NECO's clinical skills lab and nurturing the next generation of optometrists. Dr. Scott's legacy is a testament to her passion for education, her pioneering spirit in administrative leadership, and her unwavering commitment to patient care. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on NECO and the field of optometry.