Caroline Pate, OD, associate professor and director of Residency Programs at the UAB School of Optometry, has been named the 2019 Optometric Educator of the Year by the Alabama Optometric Association.

"Academia has given me so many opportunities to pursue my passion for service to the profession," Pate said. "I hope that I have inspired my former students and residents to seek out opportunities to become involved in organized optometry when they graduate from UABSO, as they are the future leaders of our profession."

Pate joined UABSO in 2005 as a clinical assistant professor following the completion of her residency in family practice within the school. Aside from her role as an educator and in addition to being active in the ALOA, Pate is a longtime member and leader within several optometric professional organizations, including the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association and the Southeastern Council of Optometrists.

She is an active continuing education course presenter who has been published numerous times, most recently in the Review of Optometry. Additionally, Pate serves as a senior consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.