Katherine Weise, OD, MBA, professor at the UAB School of Optometry, has been named the 2025 Optometric Educator of the Year by the Alabama Optometric Association (ALOA).

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” she said. “I love the students, I love the ‘Aha!’ moments they give me. But the most fun is when the student and I learn together while helping a patient. The other day, I consulted with Dr. Kristine Hopkins and Dr. Mark Swanson on a complicated case. I told the students that I hope they are having as much fun learning as I am, 30 years into their careers.” 

Weise joined the school in 1995 as a family practice resident with a focus on pediatrics. After completing her residency, she was hired by Jimmy Bartlett, OD, emeritus professor. At that time, John Amos, OD, former dean and emeritus professor, encouraged her to teach for one year to see if she enjoyed it. As the saying goes, the rest is history.

Weise is grateful for her mentors who have provided guidance on the education, patient care and research aspects of her career, including UAB Optometry’s Mark Swanson, OD, MPH and Wendy Marsh-Tootle, OD, MS, professor emeritus. Sue Cotter, OD, MS, pediatric optometrist, educator, and clinical researcher at the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University is a respected mentor as well.

She appreciates the opportunity to pay it forward on their behalf. 

“Everyone knows Dr. Mark Swanson is the brains behind most of what I do. Dr. Marcela Frazier was my student, but she has taught me so much more.”

Others who have played an important part in her success include UAB Optometry’s Research Coordinator Jenifer Montejo, MPH, and former UAB COMET coordinator, Cathy Baldwin, LDO. Both have been instrumental in conducting our gold-standard, large-scale NIH funded research.  Weise says her husband Lance, and their three kids who help keep all things in perspective.

It can’t be denied that she was predestined to become an educator.

“My mom was my first role model, and I did so much to please my dad,” she said. “My mom was a first-grade teacher with three kids. Me too, now.” 

Weise’ father was a math teacher and both parents taught in her hometown in Denver, Iowa for approximately three decades. Her sister is a first-grade teacher, and Weise’ sister-in-law is a science teacher.

Also like her family, Weise, the Pediatric Optometry Service director, feels like her main purpose in her field is helping children. 

“I've said this before: when we see a child, it's so amazing to help that child see for the first time,” she said. “Giving the gift of sight is generally best described without words. Then, when we teach, our students go on to help children. That's exponential.”