Member Profile - Kate Hollenbach, OD

Where do you currently practice?
Open Cities Health Center

Where are you from originally?
Cedar Rapids, IA

What school did you graduate from (undergraduate and optometry)?
University of Minnesota New England College of Optometry

What are your hobbies?
I love reading, playing volleyball, hiking, skiing, traveling, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.

Tell us about your family and pets?
I'm married to a fellow optometrist, Brett Hollenbach, and we met at NECO. We have a 4-year-old boxer named Pepper, and just had our first baby in May 2024.

Why do you choose to be a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association?
I have confidence in the Minnesota Optometric Association to keep our profession moving forward. Whether that may be expanding or protecting our scope, providing educational opportunities, and providing networking opportunities. They play a huge role in creating a positive community amongst optometrists in Minnesota.

What do you like best about the profession of optometry?
Vision is so precious, and there are so many different things that can impact our vision. I love that Optometry can be as simple as prescribing glasses, but can also dive into very specific different specialties for people who think there may not be anything else that can help them. I love educating patients on their ocular health as well, because so many don't realize how their overall health impact their eyes.

Describe your favorite memory from your optometric career.
I had a 5-year-old patient who was struggling in school (not making friends, falling behind in class) and his teacher told his mom she should have him evaluated for learning and cognitive difficulties. His mom's friend was a patient of ours, and recommended that she bring him in for an eye exam. Turns out he just couldn't see! We got him into glasses, and his entire demeanor changed from being shy and withdrawn to engaged and excited. He made made his mom change out every picture of him in their house to one with him wearing his glasses:)

What fun fact would you like to share about yourselves that your colleagues may not know about you?
I was almost a Baby Gap model, but my mom forgot to take me to the callback!