Our Practice | Aurora Eye Care | Grande Prairie (2024)

Dr. Pamela Giles

Optometrist, Owner

Dr. Kyla Hunter

Optometrist, Owner

Dr. Kent Manville

Optometrist, Owner

Dr. Charlotte Forgie

Optometrist, F.C.O.V.D, Owner

Dr. Natasha Chrenek

Optometrist, Owner

Dr. Anthony Vuong

Optometrist

Ambur Labrecque

Office Manager, Jasper

Amy Wardrobe

Director of Operations, Owner

Dr. Christina Chen

Optometrist

Dr. Lauren Valk

Optometrist

Dr. Pamela Giles, Optometrist, Owner

Being born and raised right here in Grande Prairie, I feel fortunate to be able to do something I love in the community I grew up in. I think it’s important to connect with the community around me, and along with Dr. Hunter and Dr. Manville, I really feel that our practice makes those connections.

I pursued post-secondary at Grande Prairie Regional College before moving to Edmonton to study in the Honours Physiology program at the University of Alberta. From there, I moved to the University of Waterloo, where I completed the Doctor of Optometry program, graduating with honours.

“In University I found eye disorders incredibly interesting. I sought an internship with a multi-specialty Ophthalmology practice in Birmingham, Alabama, so that I could learn more about ocular disorders relating specifically to the cornea and retina.”

A few years ago, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Manville, and I sat down and talked about what we were doing and what we wanted to do. After realizing we shared similar visions for the future, the three of us opened Aurora Eye Care in 2013.

When I’m not at the clinic, I can be found camping and spending time with my family. I have three kids: my daughter, Emily, and twin boys, Joshua and Brady.

Dr. Kyla Hunter, Optometrist, Owner

I’m originally from Trail, BC, and moved away after high school to pursue my academic career. I lived in Calgary while obtaining my Bachelor of Science in both Biological Sciences and Psychology. While at the University of Calgary, I was a residence advisor, volunteered as a peer counsellor and worked with the first-year orientation program. Following undergrad, I moved to Forest Grove, Oregon, to attend the Pacific University College of Optometry.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pacific University and was highly involved in many clubs and organizations. I was our class president as well as the treasurer for the American Association of Student Optometrists. I was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa and received several academic acknowledgements:

• The Dean’s Award of Academic Excellence
• Pacific University’s 2008 Student of the Year
• Vision Monday’s 2010 Most Influential Woman in Optics

I enjoy being involved and remain active in the optometry community. I am currently on the board of directors for our practice management group, Eye Recommend.

While attending Pacific University, I interned at 2 clinics that greatly influenced my career: a traumatic brain injury clinic and a private practice that specialized in children’s vision and vision therapy. These internships helped develop my skills to make vision therapy an integral part of my practice. I also completed a number of education courses while at Pacific University to understand not only the visual component of learning but the academic component as well.

“I enjoy engaging kids and teaching them about their eyes. Vision is such an important component of learning and goes far beyond just eyesight. I love working with kids to improve their visual system and get excited watching their academic success knowing their lives will be better because of it.

Opening Aurora Eye Care in 2013 was one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding things I have ever done. I feel blessed to be a part of a community with such a great entrepreneurial spirit. When I’m not working, I’m often travelling with my husband and 2 young daughters, Calais and Kacela. If I’m not travelling, I’m either planning travel or blogging about it.

Dr. Kent Manville, Optometrist, Owner

I grew up in Calgary and moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology. I then moved to Forest Grove, Oregon, where I completed my Doctor of Optometry degree at Pacific University.

At Pacific University, I was president of the Optometric Honor Society Beta Sigma Kappa. I was also the recipient of the Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowship for Clinical Excellence and the American Academy of Optometrists Potential for Strong Leadership in Independent Practice awards.

During my fourth year at Pacific University, I was able to apply my knowledge during my clinical internships. I studied advanced contact lens fitting at the Moran Eye Center and focused on low vision and eye diseases at the Veterans Affairs Hospital. My favourite internship was at the Air Force base in Hawaii. I got to spend three months studying and enjoying the beaches in my spare time.

“Working with veterans, I gained a lot of valuable experience with patients living with low vision or various eye diseases. Helping people enjoy better visual acuity is something I find very satisfying.”

I moved to Grande Prairie shortly after graduating from Optometry in 2010. I always envisioned owning my own practice, and when the opportunity arose with Dr. Giles and Dr. Hunter in 2013, I jumped on it.

Outside the clinic, I spend my free time with my wife and daughter, Britton. I am also active in the community as well as a leader in Scouts Canada (where I’m currently a registrar), a Rotarian, and an executive for the Grande Prairie chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Dr. Charlotte Forgie, Optometrist, F.C.O.V.D, Owner

Dr. Charlotte Forgie grew up in the Peace Region and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta. She then went on to Pacific University near Portland, Oregon, where she graduated with distinction as a Doctor of Optometry in 2015. After graduation, Dr. Forgie went on to complete a 1-year residency that focused on pediatrics and vision therapy. Throughout the years of school and residency, Dr. Forgie discovered a passion for helping children who are struggling with reading and patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury. She is a board certified fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). She is excited to have the opportunity to bring her skills and knowledge back home to the people of the Peace Country.

Outside of the office, Dr. Forgie enjoys spending time crafting, baking and spending time with family. Her husband’s name is Shawn, and they have 2 young daughters.

Dr. Natasha Chrenek, Optometrist, Owner

I was raised on our family farm near Sexsmith, Alberta. I spent much of my childhood playing outside and enjoying life on the farm with my younger brother. From the age of 4, I participated in figure skating as well as many styles of competitive dance. My love of dance continues to this day.

I graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in Grande Prairie. I received my Bachelors of Sciences degree from the University of Alberta with a major in biological sciences and a minor in science psychology. I continued my education in Oregon, USA, at the Pacific University College of Optometry, where I graduated as part of the Optometric Honor Society, Beta Sigma Kappa.

I was able to expand my love of travel while studying optometry. During one of my spring breaks, I was able to travel to Costa Rica to provide eye exams to the underprivileged. In my final rotation year of Optometry, I had the unique opportunity to also travel extensively, including working in Bethel, Alaska, with the Indian Health Services team and, as well, travelling to Germany to work at the American Military Base.

Now that I am home in the beautiful Peace Country, I am looking forward to my new optometry career, spending time with family and friends, and revisiting some of my hobbies. Camping, fishing, riding our ATVs in the summer, and snowmobiles in the winter are some of my favourite outdoor activities. I would love to improve my golf game, my cooking and baking skills, and learn to play the guitar.

Dr. Anthony Vuong, Optometrist

I was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, to Chinese-Vietnamese refugee parents (Chinese descent, but born and raised in Vietnam). I believe the melding of Chinese and Vietnamese culture at home combined with growing up in Western Canada has given me a fairly open-minded and unique perspective on life. I am eternally grateful to my parents, who fled Vietnam in the 1980s with their respective families and settled in Canada. They happened to end up in Lethbridge, where they met and started our family. Both worked very hard much of their lives in factories to afford my siblings and me all the opportunities we took for granted growing up here in Canada. Whenever I feel as if my own struggles are too difficult, I reflect on my parents’ life struggles to put things into perspective.

Staying close to home, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge graduating with a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences with both honours and great distinction before heading off to the University of Waterloo for Optometry school. One of the most memorable experiences of Optometry school was my internship in Toronto at a retinal ophthalmology clinic in my 4th year, where I was exposed to so many rare and complicated internal eye conditions. It fueled my desire to provide full-scope eye care services. I had always planned on returning to Alberta after graduating from Waterloo in 2020, and when the opportunity arose to come to Grande Prairie to practice, I jumped on it. I look forward to serving Grande Prairie and its surrounding communities. This community has been very welcoming.

In my spare time, I enjoy casually playing basketball and tennis. I also enjoy still-life and portrait drawing in my free time.

Ambur Labrecque, Office Manager, Jasper

Ambur Labrecque is the office manager at our Jasper location. She joined our team in 2019 and completed the CCOA course in 2020, and enjoys the nonstop learning that the eyewear world offers. She is passionate about eye care, and her enthusiasm shows.

Whether helping you choose your next pair of glasses or sunglasses, adjusting or repairing your frames, you can always count on Ambur to be there with her friendly smile and caring attitude.

In her free time, Ambur manages the Jasper Bears Hockey Team and is a loving mother of 2. During the summer, you may find her and her family out camping or enjoying the lakes surrounding Jasper. Ambur has lived in Jasper for 12 years and is a familiar face to all of our Jasper patients.

Amy Wardrobe, Director of Operations, Owner

Dr. Christina Chen, Optometrist

A Vancouver, BC native, I moved to Ontario to complete my Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Biology at the University of Waterloo. I continued to stay in Waterloo for my Doctor of Optometry degree, where I was the recipient of the VSP/AAOF Practice Excellence Award and the Alcon Award for Excellence in Contact Lenses.

Wanting to pursue my interest in specialty contact lenses and myopia management, I further completed a Cornea and Contact Lens residency, where I also served as a clinical supervisor and lecturer. I am passionate about fitting therapeutic contact lenses for various eye conditions such as keratoconus, post-LASIK ectasia, and ocular disfigurements. Additionally, I have extensive experience utilizing specialty contact lenses and medical therapy in the management of progressive myopia in children. I am excited to share my experience with the Grande Prairie community.
When not looking at eyeballs, I enjoy hiking, baking, and playing tennis. I can perform eye examinations in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

Dr. Lauren Valk , Optometrist

I was born and raised in Medicine Hat with my three younger siblings. My mom always loved to escape the cold Alberta winters, so our family vacations helped develop my love of travel.

I moved to Lethbridge to attend the U of L and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. From there, I moved on to Waterloo to pursue my Optometry degree. Throughout high school I played soccer and volleyball, sports I continued to play recreationally in my college years.

In my fourth year of optometry, I had the opportunity to come to Grande Prairie for an internship and enjoyed it so much I never left.

When I’m not working, I enjoy painting, yoga, cooking, and playing volleyball.

Grande Prairie

Our location is on the corner of 92nd Street and 100th Avenue, right across from Starbucks in the same plaza as Shoppers Drug Mart.

• 780-513-2020

• 101 9920 92 St.
• Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0E7

Edson

We’re located right on the main road heading west on 4th Avenue, just past the Scotiabank on the left.

• 780-723-2700

• 5015 4th Ave.
• Edson, AB T7E 1V2

Jasper

Find us right underneath the clock on Connaught Drive, nestled in the alcove, with plenty of street parking available.

• 780-852-4295

• 622C Connaught Dr.
• Jasper, AB T0E 1E0