Leadership

The UAB School of Optometry includes the Department of Optometry and Vision Science. The chair of the department is responsible for faculty assignments and allocation of departmental resources. The dean, associate deans, department chair, and the director of administration and fiscal affairs serve as the Dean’s Group.

  • Dean's Group

    Kelly K. Nichols

    Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

    Dean
    Chris Boutwell

    Chris Boutwell, MAc

    Director, Administration and Fiscal Affairs
    Keshia Elder

    Keshia Elder, OD, MS, FAAO

    Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    Adam Gordon

    Adam Gordon, OD, MPH, FAAO

    Chair, Department of Optometry and Vision Science
    Timothy Kraft

    Timothy Kraft, PhD

    Interim Associate Dean, Research
    Kristine Hopkins

    Kristine B. Hopkins, OD, MSPH, FAAO

    Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
    Steven Pittler

    Steven Pittler, PhD, FARVO, FAAO

    Director, Vision Science Executive Committee
    Elizabeth Steele

    Elizabeth Steele, OD, FAAO

    Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs
    Gerald Simon

    Gerald Simon, OD

    Director, Student Affairs

  • Administration

    Chris Boutwell, MAc

    Chris Boutwell, MAc

    Director, Administration and Fiscal Affairs
    Katherine Clore

    Katherine Clore, OD

    Director, Continuing Education
    Keshia Elder

    Keshia Elder, OD, MS, FAAO

    Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    Harold

    Harold "Joey" Jones

    Director, Computing and Data Resources (CADRE)
    Caroline Beesley Pate

    Caroline Beesley Pate, OD, FAAO

    Director, Residency Programs
    Satina Richardson

    Satina Richardson

    Director, Communications
    Gerald Simon

    Gerald Simon, OD

    Director, Student Affairs
    Sommer Thompson

    Sommer Thompson

    Senior Director, Development
    Janene Sims

    Janene Sims, OD, PhD, FAAO

    Director, Academic Integrity

  • Strategic Advisory Committee

    Kelly K. Nichols

    Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO

    Dean
    Steven Pittler

    Steven Pittler, PhD, FARVO, FAAO

    Co-Chair, Research
    Andrew Pucker

    Andrew D. Pucker, OD, PhD, FAAO, FSLS

    Co-Chair, Research
    Jillian Ziemanski

    Jillian Ziemanski, OD, MS, FAAO

    Co-Chair, Clinic
    Adam Gordon

    Adam Gordon, OD, MPH, FAAO

    Interim Chair, Community Engagement
    John Amos, OD

    John Amos, OD

    Chair, Emeritus Committee
    Tamara Oechslin, OD, PhD, FAAO

    Tamara Oechslin, OD, PhD, FAAO

    Chair, Education Pillar
    Caleb Gardner, OD

    Caleb Gardner, OD

    Alumni Board Representative
    Mary Jean Sanspree

    Mary Jean Sanspree, PhD

    Member-at-large
    Quentin Franklin

    Quentin Franklin

    Chair, Staff Council
    Darian Travis

    Darian Travis

    SGA President
    Mai Nguyen

    Mai Nguyen

    Graduate Program Representative
    Chris Boutwell, Mac

    Chris Boutwell, Mac

    Director, Administration and Fiscal Affairs
    Sommer Thompson

    Sommer Thompson

    Senior Director, Development
    Satina Richardson, MA

    Satina Richardson, MA

    Director, Communications
    Valencia Wells, OD

    Valencia Wells, OD

    Alumni Representative