Dr. Joseph Sugg

Dr. Joe Sugg is a native of Jonesboro, Arkansas and has lived and practiced in Heber Springs since 2009.  He graduated from Arkansas State University with honors in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences while also playing on the baseball team.  He graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee with honors in 2009 with his Doctorate of Optometry.  Dr. Sugg earned multiple awards recognizing outstanding clinical performance while in optometry school.  He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.

Dr. Sugg started his career at Heber Springs Eye Care in 2009.  In 2013, he received the “Young O.D. of the Year Award” presented by the Arkansas Optometric Association.  In 2015, Dr. Sugg and the staff at Heber Springs Eye Care received a “Practice of Excellence Award” presented by the Hayes Center for Practice Excellence at Southern College of Optometry.  He is a Past President of the Arkansas Optometric Association, current Co-chair of the State Legislative Committee, and serves on various other committees within the Association. He has previously served on the Exhibits Committee for SECO International, and he currently serves on the Industry Relations Center Committee for the American Optometric Association. He participates in the Brandon Burlsworth Eyes of a Champion program and also helps provide eye exams at the Arkansas Special Olympics.

Within the community, Dr. Sugg is an active member of Renew Church of Heber Springs. He currently sits on the Board of Servants, is a member of the contemporary service praise team, and serves on various committees within the church.  He is a past president of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce.  Dr. Sugg and his family help serve meals at Breakin’ Bread Ministries.  He and his wife Ali own KSUG 101.9 The Lake radio station in Heber Springs. They have two children, Spencer and Sydney. Dr. Sugg enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, watching football, getting out on the lake, and helping coach his kids’ sports teams.

Dr. Cody Pigott

Dr. Cody Pigott grew up in Monticello, Arkansas before attending college at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences from ASU in 2018.

He went on to optometry school at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN where he was recognized as an outstanding clinician. During his time at SCO, Dr. Pigott participated in various extracurricular activities including Optometric Private Practice Club and Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, through which he served in medical mission trips abroad. He graduated with honors in 2022.

Dr. Pigott joined Heber Springs Eyecare in 2022. He participates in the Brandon Burlsworth Eyes of a Champion program and is a certified InfantSEE provider. He is also a proud member of the Arkansas Optometric Association.

He is a member of the Cleburne County Rotary Club and an active member of Heber Springs Baptist Church. His wife is a physical therapist at locally owned Ivy Physical Therapy. They have a son, Owen, and two black labs.

During his free time, Dr. Pigott enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, hunting and fishing, and watching sports.

Dr. Joey Nugent

Dr. Nugent is an Arkansas native from Sheridan, AR.  He attended optometry school at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He brings with him a lifelong passion for vision and eye care.

“I started wearing contacts and glasses when I was 11,” said Dr. Nugent. “I played baseball, went through a growth spurt, and my vision changed. I couldn’t hit the ball very well. I went and got glasses and it changed my life. I didn’t realize how bad my vision was without glasses. I also have a red/green color deficiency. We figured that out when I was 5 years old. I was with my grandparents and my grandfather was changing out the red string in the weed-eater. He dropped it in the grass and neither he nor I could find it. That’s when I really started getting interested in vision.”

Dr. Nugent is trained in glasses and contacts as well as a variety of eye diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and many other primary diseases of the eyes. He participates in YAG Laser correction after cataract surgery and SLT laser treatment for glaucoma patients. He is also trained in Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy which is an advanced in-office treatment option for patients with chronic dry eyes.

One thing that attracted Dr. Nugent to Heber Springs Eye Care was our new facility.

“It’s top-notch,” said Dr. Nugent. “This is a top-of-the-line facility, and not just for a small town. I look forward to being able to provide some of the highest quality eye care that you’ll find anywhere.”

Dr. Nugent and his wife Montana (who is a Dental Hygienist) are outdoor people so you will likely see them on the lake or hiking trails around Heber Springs with their dogs. When he’s not in the office you will likely find him at the drag races on the weekend. They are excited to join the community of Heber Springs and get involved in the town.