New England College of Optometry (NECO) has announced a new permanently endowed scholarship named for Richard Laudon, OD, class of 1975. The scholarship, established through a generous gift by Dr. Laudon, is to be awarded to a final-year OD student who plans to pursue a career in the specialty area of binocular vision with an emphasis on vision therapy.
Dr. Laudon graduated from NECO in 1975 and was an essential faculty member for 42 years. He served on numerous committees and had a term as the Faculty Chair. Dr. Laudon retired on his 70th birthday as a tenured Associate Professor at NECO.
His expertise and passion were in binocular vision and vision therapy, especially for individuals with learning difficulties and concussions. Immediately after graduation, Dr. Laudon began treating patients and teaching students in NECO’s pediatric clinic. Dr. Laudon’s work in pediatric optometry and vision therapy sparked an interest in many NECO students who then chose to pursue a career in these specialties. By 1977, he had become clinic director and became a vision therapy resource for optometry practices in greater Boston. Dr. Laudon continues to lecture and write on the importance of personal and behavioral finance in achieving a proper work/life balance in one’s professional career.
“The pediatric department at NECO would not be the same without Dr. Laudon’s influence on the field of binocular vision and vision therapy,” says Nicole Quinn, OD, FAAO, ’01, professor of optometry and Director of Residencies. “His decades of work and commitment to helping patients, especially children with learning difficulties, has paved the way for NECO’s current partnerships and our reputation for providing comprehensive pediatric eye care and vision therapy services for the children of Boston.”
“Our students and patients have all experienced the positive impact of Dr. Laudon’s work,” says NECO President and CEO Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, ’84. “I remember my own rotation through his pediatric clinic, and seeing his journey and practice grow over the decades has been a real honor. This scholarship is an inspiring testament to not only Dr. Laudon’s clinical achievements, but his ability to support students along their path.”
Donations to the scholarship fund may be made here. All contributions directly support fourth-year students pursuing vision therapy as a specialty.
