Please Note: Now accepting Same Day Emergency/Urgent Eye Care.

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Doctors & Staff

Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Eyes By Design the leading provider of vision care products and services in Watford City.

Melissa Hjelden, OD

Photo of Dr. Melissa Hjelden

Dr. Missy is proud to provide top-tier eye care to her hometown of Watford City.  A lifelong resident, she returned to the community in 2013 to practice alongside Dr. Nordby and is now the owner of Eyes by Design.

Dr. Missy earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota before receiving her Doctorate from Southern California College of Optometry. She is passionate about bringing world-class vision care back to the people and place that raised her.

When she isn’t in the clinic, Dr. Missy is usually enjoying the outdoors with her husband, Eric, and their children, Nova and Teddy. Whether they are boating and kayaking in the summer or hitting the slopes for skiing and ice skating in the winter, they love making the most of life in western North Dakota.

What are some small things that make your day better? Hot coffee in the morning and nighttime hugs from my kids

What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Hike the Appalachian Trail

Which celebrity has the best glasses? Zooey Deschanel

Douglas Nordby, OD

With over 35 years of dedicated service to the Watford City community, Dr. Douglas Nordby has built a legacy of clinical excellence and local heart. A past NDOA Optometrist of the Year (2010), he has spent his career not only caring for his patients’ vision but also leading professional associations across the state.

Dr. Nordby remains a familiar face in the community, continuing his long-standing membership with the Masons (since 1978), the Lions Club, and the Rotary Club.

Dr. Nordby is currently enjoying a well-earned semi-retirement. To help plan your next visit, please note his seasonal schedule:

  • June-September: Dr. Nordby is available and seeing patients at Eyes by Design
  • Winter Months: You will likely find him enjoying the sunshine in Arizona

Susan Sampsel

Susan SSusan joined Eyes By Design in 2011. She is a certified optician with over 25 years of experience in eye care. Susan received Employee of the Year 2021 from the North Dakota Optometric Association in honor of her years of hard work and dedication to the field of Optometry. She and her husband Rodney have a son, Andrew, a daughter, Fallon, and now a daughter-in-law, Allison. Andrew and Allison were married in June 2018. Susan and her family enjoy spending time together hunting, fishing, and traveling.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Hugs from my kids
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I want to learn to fly an airplane
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Gayle King

Cheri B.

Cheri BCheri came to North Dakota in 2010 from New Mexico. She started in the optical field in 2013 and is an ABO-C certified optician. Cheri joined the team at Eyes by Design in 2021. You will find Cheri on the Optical floor putting her skills to good use with helping people choose frame and lens options. Cheri loves spending time with her family traveling or just hanging out watching a movie and having dinner. She enjoys being creative thru mixed media art and using her Cricut.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Seeing smiles on my grandkid’s faces
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I would love to visit Alaska with my husband
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Meryl Streep

Barbara

Originally from Western Colorado, Barbara moved to North Dakota for her long-time oil field sales position. Barbara enjoys working with people and making them feel welcome and comfortable. With two grown sons and nine grandchildren in Southern California, Barbara now considers herself a North Dakotan.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Making someone laugh and cuddles from my cats.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? A Galapagos wildlife cruise.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Eva Mendez

Flor

Flor joined Eyes by Design in 2024. She moved to North Dakota in 2017 with her family. Flor and her husband have three children: Natalie, Omar, and Daniel. Flor and her husband Omar decided to call Watford City home in 2020. She and her family love to travel. Flor studied 3 years at Williston State and has a medical background. You can visit with Flor in both our exam rooms and optical area!

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Great tasting coffee in the morning & a phone call from her children.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I would like to travel to Belize and go scuba diving with my family.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Chris Hemsworth

Haille

Haille joined Eyes by Design in 2023 after moving to Watford City with her husband Ashton. Having starting with us doing work-ups for the doctors, you can now find Haille on our optical floor where she will help you pick out your glasses or order your contacts! She loves spending time with her husband doing everything from hunting and fishing, to watching movies and relaxing with their animals.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Spending time with my husband and animals.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Going hunting in Alaska.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Jake Gyllenhaal

Natalie

Natalie began her journey with Eyes by Design in June of 2024 as a Cooperative Work Experience student from the high school. This experience quickly blossomed into an exciting opportunity, and she has now joined as an employee while continuing her studies. She enjoys being immersed in the dynamic and enriching environment that the office offers and spends her time learning as much as she can from those around her.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Spending time with my family.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Travel to Rome.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Pedro Pascal

Molly

Molly started with Eyes by Design in 2024. She currently does all of our pretesting for exams. She loves baking and spending time with her family.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Spending time with my nieces and nephew.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I want to travel to Italy.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Jennifer Aniston