By Tamarreo Tatum

Kristine Hopkins, OD, MSPH, FAAO, Class of 1997, is the 2025 Alumni Association’s Alumnus of the Year. The award recognizes her contributions to the field of optometry, academia, and her dedication to the UAB School of Optometry over the past twenty-five years.

Hopkins earned the honor thanks to a record of accomplishments since graduating. Among her early career milestones was launching the UAB Vision Therapy Clinic in 2004. This clinical service delivers over 2,400 annual patient care visits to children and adults with eye teaming, focusing, and eye movement disorders. 

As a professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Hopkins prides herself on the success of the students.

“I am most proud of our students,” she said. “Each year our program produces the most well-trained and brilliant doctors in optometry.” Hopkins added that she is “honored to lead the next generation of doctors.”

She credits mentors like former professors, Dr. Wendy Marsh-Toole and Dr. Robert Rutstein for shaping her professional values during her academic years. Their consistent reinforcement of evidence-based clinical care influenced her passion for teaching and clinical research in the areas of binocular vision and pediatric care.

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” Hopkins said. “I stand on the shoulders of brilliant alumni who taught and mentored me over the years. I am extremely grateful and humbled by this recognition.”

Hopkins’ recognition as Alumnus of the Year highlights her commitment to the field of optometry and her impact on UAB School of Optometry. Her dedication and work continue to inspire her colleagues and the next generation of optometrists.