Dr. Brad Bearden, OD

Dr. Amy Bearden, OD

Brad and I have owned this practice since 2003. We moved here when I was 36 weeks pregnant, after literally signing a deal on a napkin to buy the practice from Dr. Ken Henderson. At the time, I had just graduated, and Brad had already graduated, completed his residency, and finished his first year of practice in Vancouver, WA. But as soon as I got pregnant, we knew we wanted to be close to Grama and Grampa—so we packed up, loaded our newborn in the backseat, and headed for Bellingham! It’s very “us”: spontaneous, determined, and always ready for the next adventure.

I was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska (aka “the REAL Alaska”). I was your classic Alaskan kid—camping, sheep hunting, and boating pretty much from the time I could walk. After optometry school, I moved to Bellingham to be closer to my parents, who settled in Semiahmoo for a “warmer” retirement (Alaskans have a very flexible definition of “warm”).

Brad was the perfect match for me. He grew up in Findlay, Ohio—a small farming town that is, truly, flat as a pancake. His Eagle Scout days exposed him to at least a few small hills, and when he met me he was more than ready to upgrade to real mountains and the full Pacific Northwest lifestyle.

We both grew up playing tennis, and we actually fell in love partly on the tennis court (a great story for another day!). Today, we have four amazing kids—all grown and in college—and we spend as much time as we can visiting them. And Brad’s second great love? Soccer. If he disappears for a bit, he’s almost certainly on a field somewhere playing with one of the local men’s groups.

Most importantly, we are truly passionate about our patients. We strive to provide exceptional care in a warm, welcoming, and genuinely caring environment. We bring our own carefree, fun spirit into each exam so that instead of “just” a patient encounter, we’re building relationships, solving real problems, and truly getting to know each patient’s unique needs. Brad has a special passion for his high elderly population and brings a level of patience, warmth, and expertise they adore. And Amy brings fun, joy, and a calming presence to her high pediatric population—turning eye exams into something kids actually look forward to. Honestly, we love coming to work every single day.

Dr. Phil Bastion, OD

Dr. Bastian grew up in Washington and feels fortunate to have returned to his home state in 2012. He and his wife, Noelle, have since raised their four children in Bellingham and are grateful to call the Pacific Northwest home.

Dr. Bastian attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a degree in Genetics and Biotechnology, before going on to The Ohio State University, one of the nation’s most respected optometry schools. He graduated cum laude with a doctorate of optometry and a master’s degree studying contact lens design for optimal eye health. This training helped shape his passion for specialty contact lenses and his desire to become an expert in scleral contact lens fitting.

One of Dr. Bastian’s greatest professional passions is helping patients with keratoconus and other corneal conditions regain clear, comfortable vision. He has become an expert in fitting specialty and scleral contact lenses, which can provide life-changing vision for patients who have struggled with traditional glasses or contact lenses.

“Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been watching patients see clearly through scleral lenses for the first time. Some are moved to tears because they’re seeing the world in a way they haven’t experienced in years.”

Beyond solving complex vision problems, Dr. Bastian especially enjoys the relationships that come from caring for patients over many years. He loves getting to know his patients and their families and watching those relationships grow through generations of care.

Dr. Bastian is a former President of the Bellingham Optometric Society and remains committed to providing thoughtful, personalized eye care to the community he calls home.

Outside the office, Dr. Bastian enjoys backpacking, wake surfing, traveling, watching college football, serving in his church, and, most of all, spending time with Noelle and their four children.

Dr. Savannah Peterson, OD

We are excited to welcome Dr. Savannah Peterson, joining Optometric Physicians NW in February 2026.

Dr. Savannah Peterson grew up in Bellingham, WA and is thrilled to be back in the PNW to serve her community. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in English Literature from the University of Washington. During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Peterson worked as an optometric technician in a pediatric setting; however, her passion for optometry started very early in life, after receiving her first pair of glasses at the age of two years.

Dr. Peterson graduated cum laude from the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry with her Doctorate of Optometry. During her time there, she pursued many opportunities to serve the optometric community. She acted as president of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development club, participated in a mission trip serving the Oaxaca, Mexico community, and tutored other students. Dr. Peterson has been recognized on several occasions for her academic success, leadership, and clinical dedication to optometry. She was honored as the recipient of the UIWRSO Service Award, Dr. Randal Collins Clinical Ethics Award, AAO Johnson&Johnson Vision J. Pat Cummings Scholarship Award, COVD Excellence in Vision Therapy Award, Optolec Excellence in Low Vision Award, and Dr. Melvyn Bloom Make A Difference Scholarship Award. Dr. Peterson is eager to provide exceptional care to the whole family, including children and will happily see all ages.

When not at the office, Dr. Peterson enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, hiking, reading, and baking.