Dr. Beverly Bishop
Class of 1997

I remember my years as a resident at UAB as a roller coaster of emotions. The first year started with great anticipation and some fear of the unknown. After getting to know the other residents and the amazing staff at UAB, that fear turned to excitement about learning everything I could about ophthalmology and feeling blessed to be able to help restore and preserve patients’ vision. It was a great feeling to be able to help patients in such an impactful way that often was lifechanging. My years at UAB gave me an excellent foundation that has served me well in my career over the past 25 years.

The most valuable thing I learned in residency is self-reliance and maintaining the desire for learning and growth. The experiences working in the emergency room was invaluable for gaining a basis of knowledge and autonomy. The teaching staff and access to a variety of conditions from a wide referral base is what made the UAB residency program stand out.

Upon graduating, I felt well prepared for private practice, feeling I could tackle most anything. When I started in practice, I did a broad range of surgeries that I have now toned down to a focus on cataracts, lasers, and some plastics. UAB prepared me to handle most patients, and, if I needed some help, I knew where to turn to find it. It was a great educational experience with so many influential physicians in the program with a great desire to teach. I feel the program has strengthened significantly more with the addition of many great physicians and teachers, notably Dr. Chris Girkin from my graduating class of 1997. The research and funding that has been received is impressive, and the program continues to grow and gain recognition.

One of the most influential physicians I worked with at UAB was Dr. Lanning Kline. He is an excellent teacher in neuro-ophthalmology, and he was very dedicated to the program and the residents. While serving as chief resident toward the end of my residency, I had the honor of sitting on the search committee with Dr. Kline that interviewed potential candidates for chair of the Department of Ophthalmology. After no success in finding a good outside match for the department and upon encouragement from other committee members, Dr. Kline agreed to become the interim chair of the Department. He ultimately became the permanent endowed chair of the UAB Ophthalmology Department until 2012, again providing his personal time and commitment to the program and residents.

I want to also mention Dr. Luke White, who, although I didn’t spend much time with, made a huge impact. I was taking in-house calls as a first-year resident when a rare, giant snowstorm hit Birmingham. Several of us were snowed in for a few days. While I was helping to cover the ER, an elderly patient somehow made her way to the hospital. I diagnosed her with a retinal tear and localized detachment but had not been trained to do retinal lasers or even have access to one. Knowing how kind Dr. White was, I called him for advice. He actually put on snow skis and cross-country skied his way to the ER to repair the retinal tear to help save her vision! He was truly selfless in many of his actions and showed me great examples of commitment to patients and to his profession. He was a true blessing to the Eye Foundation and to his patients and is missed by many.

After graduating in 1997, I went into practice as a general ophthalmologist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I joined an amazing practice where I have been for the past 25 years. My practice, which I share with three other ophthalmologists, has grown over the years with many of my patients continuing to see me for over two decades. I honestly can’t believe it has been that long. I have a wonderful, supportive husband, Craig, with whom I enjoy sharing life’s adventures and joys, and we have three beautiful daughters, Meagan (age 29), Anna (age 19), and Abigail (age 14). Our most recent blessing is our first grandchild, Caden Matthew, and a new chapter in our life has begun. We are truly blessed.