About the Episode
About the Episode: Live from the ASU GSV AIR Show and Summit, Mallory chats with Howard Purcell, President of New England College of Optometry. Howard shares his unique journey from industry to academia and discusses the innovative ways his institution is tackling challenges like student debt and diversity in the applicant pool. With a focus on integrating AI and telehealth into optometry education, Howard provides a provocative look at the future of medical training.
Key Takeaways:
- Insights on higher education’s readiness for disruption and the embrace of new technologies such as AI, virtual reality, and telehealth.
- Innovative student debt solutions implemented by Howard’s institution, involving partnerships to fund education.
- The use of AI to enhance clinical education and patient care, including real-time global research access to improve diagnoses.
- Howard’s vision for modernizing medical education to cater to diverse learning styles and the integration of cutting-edge technologies.
- An open invitation from Howard to collaborate on overcoming educational challenges and modernizing teaching methods.
A Unique Path to Leadership
Howard Purcell’s journey to becoming president of NECO is anything but conventional. With a background in optometry, academia, and corporate leadership at companies like Johnson & Johnson and Essilor, Howard brings a fresh perspective to higher education. His non-traditional background enables him to question the status quo and embrace innovative solutions to long-standing challenges in medical education.
Addressing Student Debt with Industry Partnerships
One of Howard’s key initiatives at NECO is reducing student debt, which stands at $47,000 annually for the program. Through partnerships with industry leaders, NECO has created a unique program where companies offset tuition costs in exchange for future employment commitments. For every year of tuition covered, students agree to work with the sponsoring company for 1.5 years post-graduation. This approach has already reduced millions in student debt while providing a steady pipeline of talent for the industry.
Howard sees this program as a win-win: students graduate with significantly less debt, employers secure skilled professionals, and NECO maintains its tuition revenue. He encourages other institutions to explore similar partnerships to address the national student debt crisis.
AI and the Future of Medical Education
Howard is optimistic about the role of AI in transforming both clinical practice and education.
- In Clinical Settings:
- AI tools allow clinicians to access the latest global research in real-time, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving patient care.
- Telehealth, powered by AI, is helping bridge gaps in underserved areas, enabling triage and care delivery where it’s needed most.
- In the Classroom:
- NECO is exploring how AI can serve as a personalized tutor, tailoring learning experiences to each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
- By embedding course materials into AI models, students can receive customized guidance that aligns with their unique learning needs.
While acknowledging the steep learning curve and ethical considerations, Howard believes that AI offers unparalleled opportunities to modernize medical education and better prepare students for the future.
Modernizing Education for Today’s Learners
Howard advocates for a shift away from traditional teaching methods like lectures and memorization. Instead, he emphasizes the need for innovative, technology-driven approaches that cater to the diverse ways students learn today.
He notes that accrediting bodies can sometimes pose obstacles to innovation but remains committed to pushing boundaries and experimenting with new models. His message to colleagues in medical education is clear: the time to modernize is now, and collaboration across institutions is essential.
Equity in Optometry and Healthcare
Diversity in healthcare is another top priority for Howard. NECO is actively working to recruit a more diverse student body to ensure that patients can choose doctors who reflect their backgrounds. Research shows that such alignment improves trust and leads to better health outcomes.
By focusing on representation in medical education, NECO aims to create a more equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of all communities.
Goals for the ASU+GSV Airshow
Howard describes himself as a “sponge” at the Airshow, eager to learn from other innovators and bring new ideas back to NECO. He’s particularly interested in how technology can address some of higher education’s biggest challenges, from affordability to accessibility.
He encourages medical educators to attend conferences like ASU+GSV to stay inspired and informed about the latest trends in education and technology.
Parting Thoughts
Howard concludes with a call to action for higher ed leaders: embrace change, experiment with new approaches, and collaborate to solve shared challenges. He highlights the importance of maintaining optimism while remaining cautious about the ethical implications of emerging technologies.
Connect With Our Host:
Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
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Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!
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