Katie Gilbert-Spear OD, JD, MPH

Dr. Gilbert-Spear graduated with honors from Auburn University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. She obtained her Master's degree in Public Health-Epidemiology from UAB School of Public Health and her Doctorate of Optometry from UAB School of Optometry. In 2019, she graduated, with highest honors, from Mitchell Hamline School of Law with her Juris Doctorate degree specializing in Health Law and Compliance.

Dr. Gilbert-Spear moved to Pensacola, Florida in 2004 where she and her husband, Dr. Carl Spear, owned and managed Optometry and Ophthalmology offices for several years which they sold in 2016. She is the founder and director of The Visual Performance Center, which has conducted numerous research studies in contact lenses, solutions, dry eye, and visual performance.

Dr. Gilbert-Spear currently owns and manages three Optometry offices in the panhandle of Florida. She is also a practicing attorney focusing her legal work within the healthcare field.

Dr. Gilbert-Spear has served on the Florida Board of Optometry for the past five years and chairs the Probable Cause Panel. She is on the Federal Relations Committee for the American Optometric Association. She is also a member of the Florida Bar-Health Law Section and the Federal Bar Association where she is a representative on the Health Law Board.

Dr. Gilbert-Spear lives in the panhandle of Florida with her husband, Dr. Carl Spear, and their children. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.