LTC Kayla Snipes Vickers was born in Montgomery, AL and received a direct commission into the United States Army Medical Service Corps in July 2009 upon her graduation from optometry school. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Florida A&M University (FAMU 2005); Masters of Vision Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB 2009); completed her Primary Care Optometry Residency at the State University of New York College of Optometry (SUNY 2014); and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia (UGA 2022).
LTC Vickers began her Army career as a Staff Optometrist at Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Moore, Georgia in 2009 where she stood up the Consolidated Troop Medical and Harmony Church Optometry Clinics, served as the Assistant Chief and Chief of Optometry Services, and was selected as the Bravo Company Commander. In 2014 she completed her Primary Care Optometry Residency at SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY. 2014-2017, LTC Vickers served as the Optometry Chief at Kenner Army Health Clinic at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. 2017-2020 she served at Fort Cavazos, Texas where she commanded the 554th Optometry Detachment and the 583rd Medical Logistics Company with the 1st Medical Brigade and served as the Optometry Department Chief at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. In 2020, LTC Vickers was selected for the Long-term Health Education Program School of Choice and attended the University of Georgia Terry College of Business where she graduated summa cum laude with her Master of Business of Administration in Healthcare and Finance and received the Poets and Quants Top 100 MBAs To Watch award. 2022-2025, LTC Vickers served as the Business Operations Chief at Brooke Army Medical Center and G3/5/7 Current Operations Chief at Medical Readiness Command, West, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
LTC Vickers’ military education includes the Battalion Senior Officer Legal Orientation Course, Army and USAREC Pre Command Course, Interagency Institute for Federal Health Leaders, Medical Strategic Leadership Program, Command and General Staff School, Basic Healthcare Course, Company Commander/First Sergeant Course, Captain Career Course, Army Medical Department Junior Leadership Course, Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course, Advanced Combat Life Support Course, and Basic Officer Leadership Course.
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.
LTC Vickers is a member and holds various leadership positions in the following organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., American Council of Healthcare Executives, American Academy of Optometry, University of Georgia Alumni Association, FAMU Alumni Association, UAB Alumni Association, National Black MBA Association, Silver Caduceus Society, and ROCKS, Inc.
LTC Vickers is married to her high school sweetheart, Jacques Vickers. They have a daughter, Kayden LeeAnn and son, Jayden Alexander.