Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision – many of which do not have obvious symptoms. Eye doctors know how age and risk factors affect vision over time for young and old, and they understand the benefits and features of corrective lenses including eyeglasses and contacts.
Our optometrists takes the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing and treating potential vision problems.
Meet our doctors:
Dr. Luther "Lonnie" Ness is a 1981 graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1985.
After practicing for a year at Prescott Vision Center in Prescott, AZ, Lonnie and his wife moved to Walla Walla where he joined Valley Vision Clinic in February of 1987. Dr. Ness and his wife Claudia have two boys, Joshua and Jordan.
Dr. Ness was named Young Optometrist of the Year in 1995 by the Washington Optometric Association for his community involvement and work to ensure the visual welfare of his patients. Dr. Ness is also an active member of the Exchange Club of Walla Walla, being named the 'Exchangite of the Year' in 1993.
Dr. Angela Ferguson is a lifelong resident of the Walla Walla Valley. Upon graduation from Waitsburg High School, she went on to receive a Bachelor of Zoology degree from The College of Idaho and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University in 2000.
Dr. Ferguson joined Valley Vision Clinic as an Optometric Physician in July of 2000, however, has worked for the practice in various positions since 1991. As a primary care eye doctor, Dr. Ferguson provides care for infants to adults and strives to educate, prevent and treat her patients visual and eye health conditions with the latest treatment options and technology available. She is a strong advocate for children’s vision and actively participates and sits on local boards to better children’s eye health care in our valley.
Dr. Ferguson is an active member in the community serving in such organizations as the Little Theatre of Walla Walla, Hospice, Grange and the Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter at Whitman College. She is also an active member in the American Optometric Association at the national, state and local levels. Dr. Ferguson enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and her daughter Lauren, landscaping, stage managing and decorating.
Dr. Jeremy Beam first came to the Walla Walla area in 1996 as he began his collegiate career. Graduating from Walla Walla College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, he entered the optometry program at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, graduating in 2004.
In June of 2004, Dr. Beam joined the practice of Valley Vision Clinic. He has had prior work experience with Valley Vision as he worked for the clinic while attending Walla Walla College and finished his internship in the Spring of 2004.
Dr. Beam grew up in southern Oregon and learned to enjoy the many outdoor recreation activities available in the Pacific Northwest. His friendly, outgoing personality helps him enjoy taking care of all his patients' vision care needs.
Dr. Richard Harrison graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Oregon University in 2002. Soon after, Dr. Harrison enrolled at Pacific University in Forest Grove, where he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2006.
Upon graduation, Dr. Harrison, his wife, and 2 children moved from the northwest to Southeast Georgia. Dr. Harrison started a private vision practice where he provided many different services including routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses, Diabetic eye care, Cataract pre- and post-operative care, and the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases such as Glaucoma, allergies, and eye infections of all types.
In 2011, Dr. Harrison and his family decided to return to the Northwest. They lived briefly in Klamath Falls, OR before joining Valley Vision Clinic in September of 2012. He and his wife grew up in the Hermiston, OR area and are excited to be back home. Dr. Harrison enjoys the outdoors, hiking and is an avid sports fan. He and his family are also active members of their church and enjoy serving in the community.
Dr. Justin Dalke joined Valley Vision Clinic in 2015, returning to his hometown of Walla Walla. He graduated from Walla Walla University with a Bachelor of Science in Health in 2010 and then went on to earn his Doctorate of Optometry in 2015 from Pacific University College of Optometry.
During his clinical rotations, Dr. Dalke trained under OMNI Eye Services Atlanta, U.S. ARMY Korea, Walla Walla VA Medical center, and Factoria Eye Clinic, Bellevue, WA, receiving a distinction of honors in all programs. He also has experience as an American Board Certified Optician, working with Valley Vision Clinic in 2010.
Dr. Dalke strives to form new long-lasting relationships with patients and their families, and hopes to see some familiar Walla Walla faces as well.
Dr. Dennis Poffenroth was born and raised in Northern Idaho. He attended undergraduate college at the University of Idaho and received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate degrees from Pacific University in 1970.
In 1970, Dr. Poffenroth was commissioned as a Captain in the U.S Army Medical Service Corps, stationed in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he was Chief of Optometry for Patterson Army Hospital. He came to Walla Walla in 1972 and joined the optometric practice of Drs. Bryon Friedman and Richard Winnett. In 1973, Drs Friedman, Winnett and Poffenroth took the practice name of Valley Vision Clinic. Dr. Poffenroth has been an active member in the Walla Walla community for over thirty years.
He has been the Outstanding Young Optometrist of the Year for Washington State and has served in many capacities for the Washington State Optometric Association throughout his years as a member. He continues to serve on the Walla Walla Youth Baseball, Softball Board and is one of the founding members.
Dr. Chad Burton is a 1982 graduate of Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1986.
After graduation Dr. Burton joined a optometry practice in Medford, Oregon. During this time, he developed a sports vision practice. He was the team eye doctor for the Oakland A’s short season single A team.
Dr. Burton relocated to Arizona in 1993 where he practiced in various ophthalmology and optometry clinics. He has extensive experience in ocular disease management, geriatric eye care, cataract co-management, LASIK and sports vision. In 2018, Dr. Burton moved back to the Pacific Northwest where he joined an ophthalmology practice in Roseburg, Oregon before joining Valley Vision Clinic in February 2020.
He is a past board member of the Arizona Optometric Association, Arizona chairman of Vision USA, and president of the Southern Oregon Optometric Society.
Away from the office Dr. Burton likes to travel with his wife Kathy. He also enjoys wildlife photography, golfing and exploring the Pacific Northwest. They have a son and grandchildren who reside in Phoenix.