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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.

Douglas Nordby, OD

Dr. Douglas Nordby grew up in Bowman, ND where he graduated from Bowman High School in 1973. He then attended Dickinson State College, graduating in 1978. After that he pursued his degree in Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry. After graduating in 1985 he moved back to North Dakota and opened his own practice in Watford City. In 1996, Dr. Nordby opened a satellite practice in New Town, ND. Dr. Nordby is very involved in the community, serving as a member of the Masons since 1978, the Lions since 1985, and Rotary since 1985- where he served as president from 2002-03. He has also served on the board of North Dakota Vision Services, where he was president in 2009, and North Dakota Optometric Association, which he has been a member of since 1985, serving as president in 1996. Dr. Nordby was honored by the NDOA in 1996, being named as Young Optometrist of the year, and in 2010, when he was named Optometrist of the year. Dr. Nordby has a wife, Lori, and three children: Jessica, Mikka, and Douglas III. In his spare time, Dr. Nordby enjoys golfing, hunting and sports officiating.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Remembering all of my internet passwords for work and home
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Exploring the Great Wall of China
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? David Letterman

Melissa Hjelden, OD

Dr. Missy joined Eyes By Design as an associate doctor in July 2013 and joined Doug as part owner of the practice in December of 2014. Before joining the practice she worked in Minnesota for ECCA and Maple Grove Vision Clinic. Dr. Missy grew up in Watford City, ND. She attended undergraduate school at the University of North Dakota where she obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration. In 2008 she graduated with her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Missy was a part of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and was a recipient of WICHE scholarship. During school she had internships at HuHukam Memorial Hospital, Tucson Veteran’s Medical Center, and Southwestern Eye Center. She is excited to be back home in Watford City with her husband, Matt, her daughter, Nova, and their dog Oscar. In her free time she enjoys playing with Nova and being at the family lake cabin. She also enjoys local sports leagues, such as golf and softball.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Morning kisses from Nova and coffee!
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I would love to do a VOSH trip.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Zooey Deschanel

Susan Sampsel

Susan Joined Eyes By Design in 2011. Susan is a certified optician with over 25 years of experience in eye care. 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

Kathy Tretter

Kathy came to us from East Grand Forks, MN in May of 2014. She works part time in both our New Town and Watford offices. Kathy resides in Watford City with her husband, Duane. She enjoys traveling to see her daughters and her grandson. In her spare time she runs her own business in Watford called Sew Fine Embroidery.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? I love helping people and being able to see the smiles on their faces!
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Visiting Shanghai, China, where my daughter interned during college and going to the markets.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Oprah

Jessica Pruitt

Jessica came to North Dakota six years ago with her husband and three children from Arizona. She spends her free time with her family going on fishing trips and enjoys watching her son play hockey.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Coffee, cuddles from my kids and a face full of make-up
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Spending a few weeks in Egypt at the must-sees
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Emily Rossum

Michelle Thompson

Michelle started with our team in January 2015 and works in our New Town office. Originally from Florida, she enjoys the changes in seasons and being on the lake fishing and kayaking.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Spending time with my family and listening to music
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I’ve always wanted to travel to see where my dad was born in Switzerland
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Jennifer Aniston

Courtney

Courtney came to Watford City one year ago from Texas with her husband Charlie. The most important things in her life are faith, family, and friends. She enjoys a quiet Saturday with a good book as well as a cross country road trip with her husband. Her favorite thing about North Dakota is the wildlife and beautiful open spaces.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Snacks, always have snacks on hand. Nobody wants to be hangry.
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? I would love to visit Jerusalem and swim in The Dead Sea.
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Tom Hanks, he always has cute round frames.

Mckenzie Skogman

Mckenzie is originally from Minnesota and moved to Watford City in 2016.
She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the lake,
and traveling to MN and other places.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? Coffee, music, and laughter
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Sightseeing in Europe
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Johnny Depp

Hailey Schauer

Hailey was born and raised in Washburn, North Dakota, and traveled from state to state while taking different college classes. She moved back to ND after her fiance landed a job in Watford City and is excited to apply her experience in the medical field to her new position here at the vision center.

  • What are some small things that make your day better? my dog, Cadillac,
    and my cat, Caesar
  • What would be an amazing adventure to go on? Mountain biking in another
    country
  • Which celebrity has the best glasses? Offset