Meet the Staff

At Herman Eye Center, our staff is friendly and professional. Our commitment is to provide exceptional customer service to all of our patients. We take pride in our personalized care and strive to spend the necessary time with each patient to ensure a comfortable experience.

Our optometry professionals are passionate about providing high-quality care to our family of patients. We focus on providing comprehensive eye exams, a large selection of fashionable eyewear, and the best possible vision care. Come in today to meet our Hurricane staff and make an appointment.

  • Dr. James W. Herman

    A West Virginia native, Dr. Herman completed the pre-Optometry program with honors at Marshall University in 1982. Then in 1986 he received the Doctor of Optometry degree, Summa Cum Laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He returned to West Virginia and in 1986 opened Herman Eye Center. Since that time he has twice served as president of the West Virginia Optometric Association and also as president of the Professional Eyecare Network of West Virginia. For 2014/2015 he served as President of the Southern Council of Optometrists, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Herman has several times been selected 'Best in the Tristate' for eye doctors in our area and has received the honor of being selected one of 'America's Top Optometrists' by the Consumer Research Council of America. In 2012 he was recognized as 'Optometrist of the Year' by the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians and in 2018 was honored with the first 'Dr. John E. Casto Leadership Award'. In 2019 the governor appointed Dr. Herman to serve on the state Board of Optometry.  Dr. Herman is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the Americian Board of Optometry and lives in Winfield with his wife Kim. They are most proud of their four daughters.

  • Dr.
    Shawn Sammons

    Also a West Virginia native, Dr. Sammons is a graduate of Matewan High School and Marshall University and a 2014 Graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry. There, he was a member of several honor societies and also served as an associate instructor for clinical science courses. He was also a member of Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) where he spent time in Guanajuato, Mexico providing volunteer eye care services to underserved citizens of central Mexico. Following graduation, he practiced in Williamson, WV from 2014-2019. He began seeing patients at Herman Eye Center in September 2019. 

    Dr. Sammons is a member of the American Optometric Association and the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians where he currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer.  

    When not in the office, Dr. Sammons serves as an optometrist in the WV Air National Guard in Charleston. He also keeps individual and team statistics for the Mingo Central High School football team where his younger brother is the Head Coach. His hobbies include playing golf, traveling, watching sports (especially Indiana Basketball and Marshall Football), and spending time with his family. Shawn is happily married to his wife, Laura, and they have two black cats, MJ and JJ. 


  • Dr.
    Julie Huleis

    Dr. Huleis is a new resident of our beautiful state and began seeing patients at our office in November 2022. She finished her undergraduate at the University of Maryland and then received her Doctor of Optometry Degree with honors from Kentucky College of Optometry in 2020. She was a member of many organizations during her time there and served as the president of the Cornea and Contact Lens society and was a Lion Tamer for the Pikeville Lions Club. She is currently a member of American Optometric Association and the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians. 


  • Dr. Justin Travis

    Dr. Travis grew up in Marion, Kentucky, a small, close-knit community in Western Kentucky. He graduated with honors from Kentucky Wesleyan College earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Upon graduation, Dr. Travis was accepted into the Indiana University School of Optometry where he received his Doctor of Optometry Degree with honors while receiving the Vision Service Plan Award. Dr. Travis began serving patients at Herman Eye Center in 2013. July 2019 marked the end of his time with us as he returned to Kentucky to practice there and be nearer his family. All patient records remain here and we continue to see Dr. Travis' patients in our facility. 

  • Kimberly
    Kim has been an optician in Putnam County since 1983. She lives in Teays Valley with her husband and four daughters. When not working, she enjoys golf and traveling.
  • Jeanette
    Jeanette is a life long resident of Putnam County and is married with one child. Jeanette has been with Herman Eye Center for over 23 years. She retired briefly in early 2015 but soon began to miss her patients, friends, and co-workers. Jeanette rejoined our staff later that year.
  • April
    April lives with her husband and children in St. Albans. She has been an Optometric Technician for 9 years and joined Herman Eye Center in 2010. April is certified in refractometry by Marco Technologies and also maintains Certified Paraoptometric Status by the American Optometric Association.
  • Kay
    Kay joined Herman Eye Center in 2012 and specializes in appointment scheduling and insurance billing.
  • Michelle

    Michelle joined Herman Eye Center in 2014 and lives with her husband and two daughters in Culloden. She has an associates degree in Opticianry along with certifications by the Americian Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners.

  • Kelly
    Kelly joined Herman Eye Center in 2014 as an optometric technician. In 2015 she took a short break to stay at home with her newborn daughter and rejoined Herman Eye Center in 2016. She lives in Milton with her husband and two children. Kelly maintains Certified Paraoptometric status with the American Optometric Association.

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 PM

Tuesday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 PM

Thursday:

9:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

  • "My whole experience was great. The entire staff was beyond friendly, helpful, and professional. Not to mention, the building itself was clean, spacious, and well kept. I recently switched to Herman Eye Center last year and I'm SO glad I did. Everyone just seemed so happy and cheerful!"
    Courtney, Scott Depot
  • "Dr. Herman was very knowledgeable and professional; the very best (excellent) in explaining his findings and corrective procedure. His office staff were very personable and helpful. Wish I had found them many, many years ago,, but I'm in excellent hands now and feel very comfortable about my future there."
    Jacqueline, Hurricane
  • "hello, i was a new patient , and i really enjoyed the family feeling you get when you are there. my doctor and staff are awesome, and they want to help you in any way they can.
    i would tell everyone i can how wonderful the company is. THANK YOU"
    Shawna, Winfield
  • "Great experience! I have been going to Dr. Herman for 7 years now. He is a great doctor. He is very friendly and takes the time to get to know his patents."
    Megan, Hamlin
  • "I am always impressed when they welcome me by name as I walk in the door, treat me like I am the only person in the room, move me swiftly from test to test and then am greeted with a smile and professional handshake by Dr. Travis. I walk away knowing that I have received an excellent exam and confident with the prescription. I have referred several people to Herman because they are the best I have ever experienced in the industry and I like to pass good news along to my friends."
    Brenda, Scott Depot
  • "Best optometrist in the valley. The staff are exceptional. I highly recommend and give them five stars"
    Timothy, Hurricane
  • "The staff is always very professional & pleasant. Dr. Herman has been very helpful throughout my years of being his patient. I would not consider seeing anyone else for my vision care. Every visit is a pleasure"
    anonymous
  • "Staff is always courteous and helpful"
    Peyton, Webster Springs
  • "Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable. Dr. Herman was great! He actually took the time to talk and get to know me. A great first time experience at Herman Eye Center!"
    Angela, Hurricane
  • "I love the fact that dr herman took the time to talk to me and get to know me. That's how all doctor should be. Definitely will see him again"
    Jonathan, Scott Depot
  • "I just love Dr Travis and he is always professional with me and all my eye care needs."
    Sherry, from Leon