Our Staff

  • Barry A. Burns, OD
    Optometrist

    Following his graduation in 1987 from the University of Waterloo with his Doctorate of Optometry, Dr. Burns began his practice in Port Hawkesbury which has grown to become one of the largest independent optometric practices in eastern Nova Scotia. In 2000, Dr. Burns completed a Therapeutic Drug Certification Course from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry to become Board certified to administer and prescribe therapeutic drugs. Dr. Burns has served as Registrar of the NS College of Optometrists and Secretary/Treasurer of the NS Association of Optometrists. In 1995, Dr. Burns received the Strait Area Excellence in Business Award presented by the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce.

    • Nova Scotia College of Optometrists (NSCO) member
    • Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists (NSAO) member
    • Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) member

    Email: [email protected]

  • Jillian Weir, OD
    Optometrist

    Burns Vision Centre was excited to welcome Dr. Weir to the practice in 2013 following her graduation from the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Weir, who is originally from the Annapolis Valley, attended the Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s as an undergraduate student. During her time at the Illinois College of Optometry she received extensive clinical training at eye clinics in Illinois, Florida, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. Her training has provided her with excellent clinical skills and experience in many settings including pediatrics, binocular vision, ocular disease, and contact lens management.

    • Nova Scotia College of Optometrists member
    • Canadian Association of Optometrists member
    • Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists member

    Email: [email protected]

  • Kyle Burns , DO
    General Manager/Optician

    Kyle is responsible for the overall management of the optical and optometric practice. In 2008 Kyle graduated with a Business Administration Diploma (Accounting Concentration) from the NSCC Strait Area Campus. Following his graduation he joined his father (Gerard) and uncle (Barry) in practice. In 2011 he graduated with a technical diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. This was followed by becoming a Licensed Optician in the province of Nova Scotia.  He is well known in the community as a result of his participation in local golf, baseball, and hockey.

    • Licensed Ophthalmic Dispenser, Nova Scotia College of Opticians
    • Member of Opticians Association of Canada
    • Member of NS Society of Dispensing Opticians


    Email: [email protected]

  • Tracy DeCoste, BA, DO, CCOA
    Optician

    As a licensed optician, Tracy spends a large portion of her time fitting patients with frames and lens designs to suit their individual needs. In 1996 Tracy graduated from Saint Francis Xavier University with an Arts Degree (Major in Sociology). In 2008, while being employed for an Optometrist in British Columbia, she furthered her education by becoming a Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant (CCOA). That same year this Mulgrave resident moved back home to become a very valued member of the Burns Vision Centre team. In 2011 she graduated with a technical diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She then became a Licensed Optician in the province of Nova Scotia. 

    • Licensed Ophthalmic Dispenser, Nova Scotia College of Opticians
    • Member of Opticians Association of Canada
    • Member of NS Society of Dispensing Opticians Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant
  • Beverly Sampson CCOA
    Office Administrator

    Beverly oversees all administrative aspects of the day to day operations in our busy optometric practice. Beverly is responsible for scheduling, preparation, and planning of our outreach clinics. She is also our resident insurance expert and ensures that our practice runs efficiently.  Beverly holds a diploma in Office Information Technology from the Nova Scotia Community College which she acquired in 2003. Previous experience in the hospitality industry provided Beverly with excellent customer service skills, which have carried over to her work at Burns Vision Centre.

  • Amanda MacKeigan, DO
    Optician

    Amanda has been a part of the Burns Vision Center team since 2017.  
    Amanda graduated with a Diploma in Business Administration from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2013. In 2022 she graduated with a technical diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

    All of her various experiences working with the public has provided her with excellent customer service skills and endeavors to make sure that all customers/patients’ needs are met. She enjoys helping to select the perfect frame and lens options to update your look and to enhance your vision.

    Licensed Ophthalmic Dispenser, Nova Scotia College of Opticians

    Member of Opticians Association of Canada

    Member of NS Society of Dispensing Opticians

  • Sonya Landry, CCOA


    Sonya is primarily responsible for preliminary and specialized testing such as auto refraction, digital retinal images, and non-contact tonometry. Sonya's varied duties include reception, administration of insurance, and scheduling. In 2019, Sonya became a Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant through the Canadian Association of Optometrists which gave her training in contact lens care, medical terminology, and optics. She works closely with the optometrist instructing patients on healthy contact lens care and contact lens insertion and removal. In 2001 Sonya acquired a diploma in Office Information Technology from the Nova Scotia Community College. In 1993, Sonya graduated as a licensed Cosmetologist which has exposed her to fashion in general which bodes well in frame selection. Her previous business experience in the customer service industry has given her excellent customer service skills, which has carried over to her work at Burns Vision Centre.

  • Donna Marchand, CCAO
    Office Manager

    Donna is the longest serving employee in the practice, having joined her brother Barry in 1987. Having previously worked for another optometric practice she has a combined 34 plus years experience in the industry. The relationships she has established have caused her to become a valued frame dispenser to many patients she serves. In addition to her dispensing duties, Donna acts as floor manager in areas of customer service, policy and procedures, and personnel. In 1999, Donna graduated as a Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant exposing her to the many health and administration components of an optometric practice. The training also exposed her to contact lens wear and ophthalmic frame and lens dispensing.

    Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant

Port Hawkesbury Hours

Cheticamp Hours vary, please call for scheduled clinic hours

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

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