TEAM
DR. BRET PROVOST, OD (He/HIM)
Optometric Physician
In 2002 he moved to Portland from Atlanta, Georgia, in order to complete Optometry School at Pacific University. After falling in love with the Pacific NW, He decided to stay. He completed his Residency training at the Portland VA Hospital. He started River City Eyecare with his wonderful business partner, Dr. Breeden and they’ve never looked back. He is proud to call Portland home and enjoy spending time traveling and taking in the great outdoors with his lovely wife and our three delightful children.
DR. CARRIE BREEDEN, OD (She/HER)
Optometric Physician
She is absolutely passionate about eyecare! Optometry has been her career of choice since the 5th grade when she shadowed her own eye doctor for a school project. She love it because there are countless ways that she can improve her patients' lives. Creating River City Eyecare with Dr. Provost, her fantastic business partner, has been the opportunity of a life time. When she is not at work she spend time enjoying her two beautiful daughters, Emme and Gabbie, and her two beautiful horses, Sage and Pepper. She is originally from Southern Oregon and achieved her bachelor's degree in Biology at Southern Oregon University. She graduated from Pacific College of Optometry in 2008 and have called the Portland area "home" ever since.
Dr. Gwen Bui (She/HER)
Optometric Physician
Dr. Bui's passion for science and curiosity about optics led her to a career in optometry. She believes in an individualized approach to patient care and enjoys finding creative solutions to each patient’s unique needs. Although Dr. Bui is a California native, she calls the PNW home after graduating from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2017. Since then, Dr. Bui has cared for patients in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Her love for optometry has taken her Mexico to serve the indigenous people of the Yucatan Peninsula. Dr. Bui has returned to Portland and is excited to use her experience to help our local community. On weekends, you might catch Dr. Bui hiking a nature trail, cooking for friends and family, or tending to her plant babies.
Amber Durant (she/HER)
Optical Manager
She found herself drawn to Optometry in the beginning of 2020. Her background in photography has taught her the importance of seeing our world instead of just looking at it, and being able to help people improve their ability to do that makes this career a perfect fit for her. Originally from a small beach town in Connecticut, she moved to Portland summer of 2021 and haven't looked back! She has always wanted to be where the mountains meet the ocean and River City Eye gave her that opportunity and welcomed her with open arms! Since her journey at RCE She has enjoyed meeting all of our fantastic patients and fitting them with all their eyewear needs. Not only can she help them with improving the (gift of) their vision, but in reflecting their personality through the frames they choose. Everyday, she enjoy learning new things about the field and connecting more with her community. She is happy to call Portland home. In her time away from RCE you’ll find her outside on a trail, exploring new restaurants or at a live music show.
Michelle Durdahl(she/HER)
billing specialist
Originally from Washington State, her family and she moved to the area in 2015 and love all that Oregon has to offer. New to the optical field, she has been with River City Eye since early 2016 and thoroughly enjoyed all that this field has to offer. For some, glasses are a necessary accessory, so she truly love fitting patients in the best lenses for their optical needs while also finding the perfect frame that suits their character and style. When not helping patients on the floor she wear dual hats by performing billing duties. Outside the office, her world revolves around her family. Mom to all boys, she enjoy anything sports! Her weekends usually consist of cheering kids on at a sporting event, spending time outdoors or settling down with a good fiction book.
Sam Fulan (they/THEM)
Optician
Growing up in small-town central Ohio, They were drawn out west after graduating from Ohio State. They initially moved to Davis, CA in 2018 where they got started on the admin team of a family-owned optometry practice, before falling in love with Portland and moving up here the following year and continuing in the same field. They brought their admin experience to River City at the start of 2022 and have enjoyed stepping into the role of optician and rounding out their skillset! They love helping patients feel taken care of and take special joy in working with patients under the LGBTQ umbrella, especially trans/nonbinary patients, for whom medical settings can often feel intimidating. Outside of the office, you will often find them pointing out cute dogs walking by or relaxing at home with a video game or a good tv show.
Simon Mashinchi(he/HIM)
Lead Optician
He lived in Portland for most of his life, and with that he has been ingrained with a strong sense of community that Portlanders hold so dear. He started his career in optics back in 2014 selling designer frames. Since joining the River City team he has gained an immense amount of knowledge as to what makes a phenomenal pair of glasses, beyond just a good-looking frame. His favorite part about being an optician is learning about everyone who walks through the door, what your needs and wants are for your glasses so I can best serve you and the community you’re a part of. When he is not at the office he love adventuring and taking photographs, but you will most likely find him at his computer at home playing video games.
SEMEAR SAID (He/him)
Optician
Jennifer(She/her)
optician
Jennifer was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Jen was inspired in optometry over twenty years ago; and has grown through continuing learning everything in the vast changing optometry field. Jen has great passion for her patients and enjoys helping them see the very best. Jen is not only attentive when helping her patients but loyal to ensure their satisfaction and they receive the best quality of optical health care available.
Jen loves finding adventures where she can. Jen loves to spend time camping, boating, crabbing, and kayaking. Making memories with her family is what inspires her the most to give her a blessed life.
