GATLINBURG--Newport optometrist Dr. Kurt T. Steele was honored recently when he was named Tennessee Optometric Association's 2008 Optometric Doctor of the Year.

Steele received the honor during the association's yearly meeting at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg in mid-August.

During the meeting, doctors attended classes to keep their licenses current. "We have to complete 30 hours of work every two years," said Steele, who was in charge of arranging educational classes for the meeting, and who led a class himself.

He also serves on the Southeastern Council of Optometrists (SECO) Education Committee and helps put together similar classes when that group gathers in Atlanta each February.

Steele, who served as the TOA's president in 2003-2004, was voted Tennessee's top optometrist by approximately 600 members of the organization.

Each year, TOA members receive ballots to make their selections.

A native of Camden, Tennessee in Benton County, Dr. Steele came to Newport in 1995 after a brief association with St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville.

"This award goes to members who are in private practice," he added.

"I had met Dr. Bill Henry and Dr. Jeff Foster," said Steele, "at a meeting and we quickly became friends."

Steele credited the support he has received from Drs. Henry and Foster, as well as all of the practice's patients with his receiving the award.

"It's because of them that we are one of the state's best groups," said Steele. "One of the best things I ever did was move to Cocke County.

Steele is the second local optometrist to receive this honor. Dr. Jeff Foster was named Optometric Doctor of the Year in 1997. "It's rare to have two doctors from the same practice win the award," said Steele.

When not in his office, Steele enjoys golfing and supporting UT sports. His wife Sacha teaches at Edgemont Elementary School.