The UAB School of Optometry is proud to recognize one of its most dedicated and impactful faculty members, Katherine Weise, OD, MBA, with the Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Award. This honor celebrates exceptional leadership and service to the school and the optometry profession—and Weise exemplifies both.

A professor and the Director of the Pediatric Optometry Service at UAB Eye Care, she also serves as the Pediatric Residency Program Supervisor. In each role, she is shaping the next generation of optometrists with the same passion and precision that have defined her career.

Weise earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed her residency at UAB. Since then, she has made significant contributions to pediatric optometry and research, including her role as national co-chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). Her leadership extends beyond the clinic and classroom—she is also the founder of BlazerVision, a program that supports UAB athletes with comprehensive vision care.

Known for her boundless energy and unwavering support, Weise is a true cheerleader for the optometry profession, her patients, and student education. She embodies UAB’s shared values, particularly in her collaborative spirit—working closely with peers across campus and with optometrists and ophthalmologists nationwide.

Dean Kelly Nichols, who selected Weise for the award, said, “Dr. Weise is passionate, collaborative, and deeply committed to excellence in all areas of the optometry profession. Her impact on our students, our patients, and the profession is immeasurable. This award is a reflection of the respect and admiration she has earned from all of us. Her contributions continue to elevate our school, our students, and the field of optometry as a whole.”