Barbara Dune, OD
Barbara Dune, OD, is an optometrist and the founder of Serenity I Care in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. Dune has been practicing optometry for over 30 years, providing exceptional eye care for children and adults. Dr. Dune attended The University of Manchester with her Bachelor of Science. After graduating, she worked in Southern Africa for 14 years, and during the last five years, she ran her own practice. At the same time, she was working on completing her Master of Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Upon receiving her degree, Dr. Dune relocated to the United States, where she attended the New England College of Optometry for her doctorate in optometry. She has been delivering full scope eye care to the community of Hartford, Connecticut, for 11 years.
Dr. Dune founded her practice, Serenity I Care, in 2020. Along with her team of eye care professionals, Dr. Dune is passionate about helping patients with common eye issues, such as dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and low vision. She also specializes in diabetic and emergency eye care. At Serenity I Care, Dr. Dune is committed to empowering patients to make the best decisions for themselves and working with them to achieve optimal vision and ocular health.
Maria Rivera-Perez
Office Manager
Maria Rivera-Perez is the office Manager and trained as a Optical Technician. She has a lifelong passion for patient care. Her medical career began at the age of 16 as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), laying the foundation for nearly two decades of hands-on experience across different areas of healthcare.
Driven by a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, Maria advanced from CNA to Medical Assistant, then to Optical Technician, and now serves as Manager of the practice. In her leadership role, she oversees daily operations, supports clinical excellence, mentors staff, and ensures patients receive exceptional, compassionate care from the moment they walk through the door.
Maria’s career journey has given her a well-rounded perspective on healthcare—from direct bedside care to clinical operations and practice management. She believes great leadership is built on teamwork, integrity, accountability, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of both patients and healthcare professionals.
With years of experience in both nursing and eye care, Maria continues to dedicate herself to creating efficient, patient-centered practices while inspiring others to grow in their own healthcare careers.
Liz Colon
Lead Ophthalmic Technician
Liz Colon brings a strong background in healthcare and patient care to our practice. She began her career in pharmacy, where she spent three years developing a solid foundation in medication management, patient service, and healthcare operations.
In 2021, Liz joined our team and quickly became an invaluable member of the practice. Through her dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence, she climbed to the position of Lead Ophthalmic Technician. In this position, she oversees clinical workflows, supports the medical team, mentors staff, and ensures every patient receives exceptional care and attention.
Known for her professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail, Liz is passionate about creating a positive patient experience while maintaining the highest standards of care. Her experience, leadership, and dedication make her an essential part of our healthcare team.
Denise Echevarria
Receptionist & Trainee Optical assistant
Denise Echevarria is a compassionate and dedicated professional with a passion for serving others. Denise came to us with a background in education, she spent the past four years working part-time as a teacher, where she enjoyed inspiring, educating, and supporting her students. She joined our team in July 2025, where she has quickly become a valued member through her commitment to providing quality care and making a positive difference in the lives of those she serves. She is currently training to be an Optical technician, and enjoys helping patients with frame selection and getting the spectacles that enhance their lifestyle.
Denise is also a proud mother of two energetic boys, ages one and three, who inspire her every day to lead with love, patience, and strength. Known for her warm personality and genuine ability to connect with people, she thrives on building meaningful relationships and helping others. Whether in her career, classroom, or home, Denise strives to make a lasting impact through kindness, empathy, and dedication.
Demeka Douglas
Receptionist / Trainee Optical Assistant
Demeka Douglas is a dedicated Medical Receptionist who is passionate about creating a positive and welcoming experience for every patient. As one of the first faces patients see, Demeka is committed to providing compassionate service, efficient communication, and exceptional support while helping the office run smoothly.
Demeka brings a diverse set of skills and certifications to the healthcare field, including Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), CPR, First Aid. Her broad range of experience reflects her strong work ethic, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning and serving others.
Outside of the office, Demeka enjoys reading, spending time in nature, listening to music, dancing, exploring poetry, and relaxing with her favorite television series. Her warm personality, attention to detail, and genuine care for others make her a valued member of the healthcare team and a trusted resource for both patients and colleagues.
Maria Pamela Dantes, RPh
Healthcare Virtual Assistant
Pam is a licensed pharmacist in the Philippines whose medical career began in 2018. She joined Serenity I Care in January 2022, and as part of our team she has gained over four years of experience in healthcare support, working as a medical scribe and back office professional. Throughout her career, she has developed strong skills in medical documentation, attention to detail, patient information management, and administrative support, consistently contributing to accurate documentation, efficient workflows, and organized healthcare operations.
With her growing experience in the medical field, she aims to continuously expand her knowledge and skills, take on greater responsibilities that allow her to contribute meaningfully to the team. Her long-term goal is to become a well-rounded healthcare professional who brings reliability, adaptability, and dedication to every role she takes on.