Dr. Katie Painter grew up in southeast Kansas and graduated from Oswego High School. She graduated in 2003 from the University of Kansas (KU) with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Dr. Painter then continued her education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry (UMSL). She graduated from UMSL in 2007 with her Doctorate in Optometry. Dr. Painter spent her first two years practicing in Des Moines, followed by six years of practicing in Kansas City. During her time in Kansas City, she met and married her husband Seth. Dr. Painter joined Kannarr Eye Care in November 2015 and is very excited to be back in the area and close to family. Dr. Painter and husband Seth welcomed daughter Nora in February of 2017.
Dr. Painter enjoys practicing full-scope optometry, which allows her the opportunity to see patients of all ages. Since joining the Kannarr Eye Care team, Dr. Painter has been able to further her optometric knowledge through the participation in several professional studies. Dr. Painter is currently on staff at both Via Christi and Girard Medical Center. She is an active member of the Kansas Optometric Association as well as the American Optometric Association. Dr. Painter was also a part of the Kansas Optometric Association Leadership class of 2016-2017. The class was a year in length, and allowed Dr. Painter to learn about different aspects of the profession of optometry in Kansas, as well as the political processes. She is also currently serving on the board of the Pittsburg Area Young Professionals.
Dr. Painter has been a team member on two optometric mission trips. The first was a 10 day mission to Vera Cruz, Mexico and the second was a 7 day mission to Azua, Dominican Republic. These mission trips are designed to see hundreds of patients each day who normally do not have access to eye care. She is very passionate about helping those less fortunate and hopes to go on more mission trips in the future.
During her free time, Dr. Painter enjoys spending time with her family including her fifteen nieces and nephews. She, her husband Seth, and daughter Nora also enjoy cycling and spending as much time outside as possible. They love to travel and enjoy exploring new places.