08/27/2026
Alumni on the Rise Spotlight: Dr. Caitlynn Estevez, Class of 2019
From the softball field to a career in optometry, Dr. Estevez has built an impressive path since graduating from Union with a B.S. in Biology in 2019.
After earning her Doctor of Optometry from the Kentucky College of Optometry, she completed a residency in Ocular Disease with an emphasis in Retina at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She later returned to KYCO as an Assistant Professor, where she taught future optometrists while continuing to provide clinical care. During her time in academia, she earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry, Diplomate status with the American Board of Optometry and an MBA.
In August 2026, Dr. Estevez began a new chapter with The Kentucky Eye Institute in London, practicing primary care and ocular disease optometry and serving the southeastern Kentucky communities that played such an important role in her own journey.
Reflecting on her time at Union, she shared:
“I am incredibly grateful for the foundation Union College provided, both academically and athletically. The experiences I had as a Bulldog—from competing on the softball field to building lifelong friendships and pursuing my academic goals—played a significant role in shaping my personal and professional journey.”
She added that those experiences continue to inspire her “commitment to serving others, pursuing excellence, and giving back to the communities that have invested in me.”
