The Dakota Eye Institute is a multi-specialty group of Board Certified Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and professional staff with a commitment to quality eye care. That's why we're so excited about our staff at the Dakota Eye Institute. Our advanced education and repeated exposure to certain eye problems have given us the experience to provide total care for your eyes.

Aaron Fortney, M.D.

Dr. Fortney, a Bismarck native, graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in 1991. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Mary and attended medical school at UND School of Medicine. Dr. Fortney joined Dakota Eye Institute in July 2003 after spending three years at the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Fortney is board certified through the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is an active member of the American Academy of Opthalmology, the Christian Opthalmology Society, the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the North Dakota Medical Association, and is the treasurer for the North Dakota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Fortney specializes in the evaluation and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, and also performs eyelid and pediatric eye surgery.

George H. Hilts III, M.D.

Dr. Hilts, who grew up in Cando, ND, has been practicing in North Dakota since 1985. After graduating from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, he performed his flexible residency at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the Texas Ophthalmology Association, the North Dakota Sixth District Medical Society, the North Dakota Medical Association, the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, Surgical Eye Expeditions (a service that provides missionary eye surgery to the poor), Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, and is a past president of the North Dakota Ophthalmology Society.

He specializes in cataract surgery, intraocular lens implants and in doing general ophthalmology.

Douglas W. Litchfield, M.D.

Dr. Litchfield is a native of North Dakota and grew up in Bismarck.

He attended the University of North Dakota for his undergraduate degree and then to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska for medical school. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Casey Eye Institute of the Oregon Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon.

He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, the North Dakota Medical Association and the current president of the North Dakota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.

His practice of ophthalmology includes cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, pediatric eye problems, and eyelid surgery.

Charles R. Volk, M.D.

Dr. Volk, a native of Bismarck, has practiced in North Dakota since 1981.

He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. After completing his ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota, he practiced in Minneapolis before returning to North Dakota.

He is active in several professional organizations, having served as President of the North Dakota Academy Of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, the Sixth district Medical Society, and the North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners.

He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataracts and Refractive Surgery, the North Dakota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society, and the North Dakota Medical Association.

Paul A. Balliet, O.D.

Dr. Paul Balliet was born and raised in Linton, ND.

He attended the University of Mary and Moorhead State University. He graduated with honors from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1986. He began his practice in Bismarck in 1986. Dr. Balliet has been with the Dakota Eye Institute since 1991. His practice encompasses all aspects of eyecare.

Sharon C. Beattie, O.D.

Dr. Sharon Beattie was born and raised in Seattle. She completed her optometric training at Pacific University College of Optometry in 1982. She moved to Bismarck and began practicing that year.

She enjoys the practice of general optometry, with special interests in children, contact lenses, and patients with disabilities who have special eye care needs.

Guy G. Otteson, O.D.

Dr. Guy Otteson, a native of Bismarck, North Dakota, has over 25 years of experience as an eye care professional. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1976, and went on to pursue his Doctor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating in 1980. Dr. Otteson joined Dakota Eye Institute in 1991.

Dr. Otteson belongs to the American Optometric Association and the North Dakota Optometric Association. When not in the office, you may find him on the golf course, out bird hunting, or in his workshop building something. His most recent projects were building a sailboat and a cedar strip canoe.

Thomas J. Samson, O.D.

Dr. Samson joined Dakota Eye Institute in 1995. He is available at our Rugby satellite every Monday, and in our Bismarck locations Tuesday through Friday, where he provides full-scope, primary eye care services.

Dr. Samson did undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota and the University of North Dakota. He is a 1988 graduate of Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. In addition to his years of clinical practice, Dr. Samson spent five years as a faculty member at Pacific University, with primary teaching duties in the areas of children's vision, strabismus, and vision therapy.

He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association, and is a past president of the North Dakota Optometric Association.

Joel H. Springan, O.D.

Dr. Joel Springan a native of Stanley, N.D., has practiced optometry for 21 years. Dr. Springan has practiced optometry for 20 years in Bismarck and one year in Grand Forks at Pearl Vision.

Dr. Springan completed his undergraduate degree at the University of North Dakota and received his doctor of optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.

At Dakota Eye Institute, Dr. Springan practices general optometry with a focus on contact lenses and is qualified to provide post-Lasik follow-up care.

Michael Ranum, O.D.

Dr. Ranum is originally from Ray, ND. He graduated from the University of Mary in 2001 and then earned his optometry degree from Pacific University in 2005.

Dr. Ranum previously practiced optometry in La Crosse, WI before he joined Dakota Eye Institute in 2009. Dr. Ranum provides full-scope primary eyecare with a special interest in working with contact lens and low vision patients. He is available at our Rugby satellite every Tuesday, and in our Bismarck locations Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting, and playing electric guitar.

Carey Enderle, O.D.

Dr. Enderle is originally from Baldwin, ND. She graduated from the University of Mary in 2003 and then earned her optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry 2007.

Dr. Enderle practices primarily at the Eye Clinic in Devils Lake. She also works two days per month at Dakota Eye Institute’s Rugby clinic. Dr. Enderle practices primary care optometry with a special interest in contact lenses and ocular disease.