Each year NECO proudly awards the Distinguished Alumni title to deserving graduates who have exemplified excellence, embraced their role as compassionate caregivers, exhibited an unwavering dedication to the field of optometry, and made a profound impact on their communities. These are the Distinguished Alumni that we celebrated in 2024-25:
Karen Carrasquillo, OD ’05, PhD
Dr. Carrasquillo patented the SCLERAL FitKit and established the FitAcademy to train clinicians worldwide in ocular surface disease management. Additionally, Dr. Carrasquillo is considered the key international opinion leader on scleral lenses.
Charles F. Mullen, OD ’69
Dr. Mullen is known for expanding educational and clinical practice through national policy change and strengthening vision care. He established the current community health center and VA Hospital networks, and his work continues to instill confidence in students, residents, faculty, and patients across the country.
