The journey from student to doctor is filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Questions about the practical aspects of professional life often remain: How do I navigate employment contracts? What financial planning steps should I prioritize? How can I confidently make the final decision in the exam room for patients by myself?
Enter CooperVision's New Graduate Summit, an immersive experience designed to bridge this gap for selected graduates from optometry schools nationwide. In 2025, CooperVision hosted two summits —the West Coast Summit took place at the Paragon CRT® Facility in Gilbert, Arizona (May 28-30) and the East Coast Summit gathered new grads at the Victor Headquarters near Rochester, New York (June 2-4).
Summits Boost Confidence and Careers
"This dual-location approach aims to make the experience accessible to more new doctors," explains Dr. Justin Kwan, Head of Myopia Management at CooperVision North America. "We've seen the profound impact the Summit has on participants' confidence and career trajectory."The New Graduate Summit goes beyond traditional industry events, offering a carefully crafted immersion into the profession's most relevant aspects. The 2025 New Grad Summit welcomed over 100 new Doctors of Optometry, many who might be meeting fellow ODs from other schools and colleges of optometry across the US for the first time.
New Grads Get a Firsthand Look at CooperVision’s Contact Lens Facilities
One highlight of the event is the facility tours. Attendees explored CooperVision manufacturing and distribution centers, gaining insights into how contact lenses are produced and distributed. "I was impressed with the level of automation and the sheer volume of contact lenses being made and sent to doctors and their patients," shares Dr. Megan Phu, a 2025 graduate of the University of Houston College of Optometry.
Experts Share Inspiration and Insight
The 2025 New Graduate Summits featured a distinguished roster of speakers. The West Coast event included Dr. Cindy Shan, Dr. Shelia Morrison, and Dr. Aaron Neufeld, while East Coast attendees learned from Dr. Chris Lopez and Dr. Shalu Pal. In addition to these inspiring speakers, members of CooperVision’s Professional Affairs team also led sessions, sharing insights on clinical best practices and how contact lenses are at the core of everyday success.
While understanding CooperVision's products is part of the program, the Summit's ultimate goal transcends product knowledge. The event aims to instill confidence in new graduates—confidence to prescribe the most appropriate contact lenses and to deliver myopia management as the standard of care.
CooperVision Offers Ongoing Support for Students and New ODs
Support for new graduates extends beyond the Summit itself. Participants gain access to ongoing resources through the Online Success Center and future opportunities to support them at every career stage.
“Our relationship with these doctors doesn't end when the Summit concludes—it's just beginning," says Dr. Kwan. "We're establishing a foundation for career-long collaboration that benefits both practitioners and their patients.”
Are you a 2025 optometry graduate interested in advancing your career from day one? Speak with your ODs on the CooperVision Professional Affairs team to get connected.
