Through Kristina Lovingood’s eyes, Selma is full of potential and opportunities. And it is also Lovingood’s vision to provide Selma with the best eye care possible, as she serves as optometrist for Primary Eye Care, located on Dallas Avenue.

Born and raised in Selma, Lovingood attended Meadowview Christian School and then later went to University of Alabama – Birmingham optometry school. After spending eight years outside of Selma, Lovingood knew she wanted to return home.

“I felt drawn to come back here because Selma needs younger people and young professionals,” Lovingood said. “My husband is also from here, and we wanted to raise our family here.”

When she’s not busy taking care of her nearly 2-year-old son, Pratton, Lovingood said she channels most of her energy into providing the best eye care for her patients. Making sure she is the best optometrist she can be is paramount, she said.

“I want them to know that I truly care — my patients are like family,” she said. “I enjoy watching them change and watching their families grow.”

Within the next 10 years, Lovingood said she hopes to expand her practice so she can serve more people. Her office on Dallas Avenue, she said, is just the beginning.

“I hope to bring additional doctors in,” she said. “I want to make sure Selma has the best eye care possible.”

Aside from Primary Eye Care, Lovingood is involved in the Selma-Dallas Chamber of Commerce and a member of Church Street United Methodist Church.

Staying involved in the community and keeping strong relationships is all a part of living in a small town, she said.

“I just love the smallness of this community — everyone knows everyone,” Lovingood said. “I feel like I have such a great platform here. I see so many different people and hear so many different stories. Selma, it’s just home.”

Lovingood’s favorite thing about living, working and raising a family in Dallas County is the close-knit community it provides.

Although it may not be as large as Birmingham or Atlanta, she said she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

“Everyone kind of works together to make Selma the community that it is,” she said. “I feel proud to be from Selma, and I love that my practice is here.”