Our Team

Optometrist

Dr. Dearing was born and raised in Klamath Falls, OR where he received his bachelor’s degree in Biology Health Sciences from the Oregon Institute of Technology. After completion of his undergraduate studies, Dr. Dearing attended the Arizona College of Optometry in Glendale, Arizona, obtaining his doctorate degree in Optometry in 2019. Dr. Dearing is licensed by the California Board of Optometry, allowing him to treat and manage ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, ocular surface diseases, and diabetes to name a few. Dr. Dearing also fits patients with specialty contact lenses for the treatment of certain ocular surface disease such as keratoconus and provides routine care to the pediatric and geriatric population.
 
What Dr. Dearing loves most about practicing optometry in a rural area such as Alturas, is the connection and personal interaction he makes with every one of his patients. This is the main reason why Dr. Dearing bought the practice in May 2023. He takes the time to know his patients and what better way of doing that than through helping the community with their eyecare needs.
 
When Dr. Dearing is out of the office, he loves spending time with his wife Mallory and his son and daughter Brady and Rylee, along with their yellow Labrador named Bogey (which you may see laying around the office from time to time). Dr. Dearing is an outdoor enthusiast and loves to hunt, fish, golf, and play competitive pickleball. 

Office Manager

Wendy has been with the practice for over 20 years now. As the practice manager, Wendy is very motivated to make sure our practice delivers a great healthcare experience to you by training our staff, keeping our office updated with the latest technology, and making sure to address any needs or questions you have. Wendy also assists with billing and insurance authorizations to make the exams run smoothly as possible without any insurance conflicts.

Patient Care Coordinator

Skylar has been with the practice since November 2022. Skylar will most likely be the person you talk to when you call the office, and she will be the first person you see as you walk through the door. She will help you with your appointments, direct your questions, help you with your intake forms, insurance, and referrals, and will also assist with any payments.

Optician

Megan joined our practice in March 2022. Megan loves helping patients find frames that fit their needs, and budget and that look fabulous. Megan can advise you on the best materials and frame fits for your lifestyle, answer your questions about your vision benefits, adjust your frames, and can repair various frame issues. With any questions regarding frame selections or issues with current frames and prescriptions, Megan will be the person you’ll get to work with.

Ophthalmic Technician

Chloe joined Modoc Family Optometry in May 2023. Chloe will be doing all your pretests before Dr. Dearing sees you. She is excellent at walking you through the process, and making sure all your concerns, health issue and questions are addressed prior to Dr. Dearing coming into the exam room. Sometimes, she may even be in the exam with Dr. Dearing, as a scribe, inserting pertinent data into our Electronic Health Records (EHR).

Billing Specialist

Karen joined our team in May 2023 but comes to us with over 20 years of medical billing experience. Karen works behind the scenes to make sure all exams are submitted properly to each insurance company, processes rejected claims, post payments to patient charts, and helps collect payments when necessary. With any questions related to billing or insurance authorizations, Karen would be the team member to speak to.