The UAB School of Optometry Alumni Association named Fred Wallace, O.D., Alumnus of the Year at the annual Alumni Association Open Business Meeting, which took place at the Alabama Optometric Association conference.

Dr. Wallace, who graduated from the School of Optometry in 1982, was named the Alumnus of the Year based on his service to the School of Optometry, to the profession and to his community. Each year, the board members of the Alumni Association select a member as the alumnus of the year based on these criteria.

“To be selected as UAB School of Optometry Alumnus of the Year is a true honor,” Dr. Wallace said. “Optometry in 2018 was created by caring professionals who came before us.  They worked hard for their patients, and they worked hard to move optometry forward.  We stand on their broad shoulders so that optometry’s future can be even brighter.”

Dr. Wallace has had a private practice of optometry since 1982, offering primary eye and vision care where they have special interest in contact lenses, treatment of binocular vision disorders, glaucoma, and management of age-related eye disease.

He served on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry from 2002-2012. He is currently Executive Director of the Alabama Board of Optometry and in 2010 he was named Alabama Optometrist of the Year.

“Throughout the years, involvement in optometry, whether through the Birmingham Area Optometric Society, the Alabama Optometric Association, the AOA, the Academy, or the UAB School of Optometry Alumni Association has always been a constant source of enjoyment, whether it’s the pursuit of enhanced optometry practice, improved care for patients, or a better educational experience for students,” Dr. Wallace said.