Mon, Sep 29, 2025 at 08:35 PM

More Than Medicine: Dr. Holly Kiper

Dr. Holly Kiper may spend her days delivering babies and caring for women as an OB-GYN at Medical Centers OB-GYN North, but her life outside the hospital is just as full and inspiring.

Slow Saturdays & Coffee First

If Dr. Kiper could plan her perfect Saturday, it would start with sleeping in — something she doesn’t get to do often.

“I’d wake up late, get a cup of coffee, and just enjoy a peaceful morning,” she says.

After living in busy Nashville during residency, she loves the slower pace of life in Guntersville.

Coffee is more than just a morning routine for Dr. Kiper — it’s a passion.

“I’m a coffee snob,” she laughs. “My husband makes all of our coffee at home, and I used to be a barista in college. I’m also working my way through all of the local coffee shops in the area.”

A Journey Home

Dr. Kiper grew up in the small town of Satsuma, Alabama, just outside of Mobile, where her mother taught school for 30 years. Dr. Kiper earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Alabama alongside her husband. After moving to Dothan for medical school at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, she had the opportunity to do her clinical rotations here in Guntersville — and fell in love with the community.

“I absolutely loved it here,” she recalls. “When I matched residency in Nashville, I knew this was still where I wanted to end up. The day I found out I was going to start clinical rotations, my husband landed his dream job in Huntsville. I matched in Foley for clinicals and had to jump through some hoops to make it work to do them here. It just felt like a God thing — like we were supposed to be here. We’re thankful to be here for the long term.”

Fur Babies, Hobbies, and “Old Lady” Crafts

When she’s not in the clinic, Dr. Kiper loves spending time with her husband and their large (and lively!) family of pets.

“We have five cats and two dogs,” she says. “I fostered animals for years, and we just have way too many — but we love them.”

Dr. Kiper also loves working with her hands.

“I recently picked up crocheting and have been making baby hats and blankets for my friends and patients who are expecting. I love being able to give something handmade.”

She also cross-stitches and has an entire wall in her home dedicated to her work. “I have completed a new cross-stitch every year since we’ve been married — it’s just my thing.”

For Dr. Kiper, these hobbies are not just fun, they connect to her work.

“Being a surgeon and having a love for the arts, really go hand and hand, and I love that. If I weren’t a doctor, I’d probably open an Etsy shop and sell my crafts.”

Travel, Music, and Mystery Shows

Dr. Kiper and her husband love to travel and recently visited Ireland and Liverpool, where they attended a Premier League soccer game.

“That whole trip was amazing — life-changing, honestly,” she says. “We’re Alabama fans, but my husband loves soccer, and we had such a great time at the game.”

At home, they enjoy listening to music and watching thriller and mystery series.

Rooted in Guntersville

Despite being five hours from her hometown, Dr. Kiper says Guntersville already feels like home.

“This is where we plan to raise our family and make the most impact for my patients,” she says. “It’s peaceful, welcoming, and where we’re supposed to be.”