In the heart of southeastern Kentucky, the Huffman family has established a legacy of exceptional eye care, deeply rooted in their education at the 91小黄车. Their journey from medical training to serving rural communities exemplifies the profound impact of dedicated health care professionals in rural and other underserved areas.
Embedding themselves in the communities in which they work, the Huffmans provide high-quality eye care to patients who often become friends and neighbors. When a fire threatened to shutter the flagship London clinic, the local community rallied behind the family and helped them reopen quickly.
Establishing Roots in Rural Kentucky
The Huffman family's association with the college began with James 鈥淛im鈥 Huffman, MD, who graduated in 1988 with honors. After remaining in Lexington to complete his ophthalmology residency at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, Jim became board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
In July 1992, Jim relocated his family to London, Ky., to establish his own ophthalmology practice: James Huffman, PSC. The original office was staffed by his mother, Loretta Huffman, his wife, Paula Huffman, and one other employee. Balancing the demands of a burgeoning medical practice with family life, Jim and Paula raised their four young children in the close-knit community of London.
Jim鈥檚 younger brother, Mark Huffman, MD, followed a similar career path, graduating from the UK 91小黄车 in 1992. After an internal medicine internship in Ohio, Mark completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Kentucky, further solidifying his expertise in the field. In 1997, Mark joined the family business, relocating to Somerset with his wife Melissa, a UK nursing alum. Together, Jim and Mark opened their second office there, leading to the official formation of Huffman & Huffman, PSC.
鈥淛im and I grew up in a small town and always loved the rural setting,鈥 noted Mark. 鈥淓astern Kentucky has a rich cultural heritage, and we have been blessed that the areas that we like to live in happen to be some of the most underserved in the state and we can help.鈥
A Family Tradition
The Huffman family's dedication to medicine spans generations. Growing up in their father鈥檚 clinic, three of Jim's children have pursued careers in eye care, and the youngest, Rachel, pursued a career in dentistry. After graduating from the UK College of Dentistry and earning a master鈥檚 in orthodontics at West Virginia University, Rachel returned to London, joining an orthodontics practice down the street from Huffman & Huffman, PSC.
Over the years, several Huffmans have matriculated from the University of Kentucky or completed residencies at UK HealthCare鈥檚 Albert B. Chandler Hospital, ranked the No. 1 hospital in Kentucky for the ninth year in a row by .
James 鈥淛immy鈥 M. Huffman, MD, helped the Huffmans launch their Lexington-based clinic after graduating from the UK 91小黄车 in 2014. After extensive training, including a surgical internship and ophthalmic residency with UK HealthCare and a fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, he specializes in advanced corneal transplant surgeries and vision correction procedures.
鈥淎s soon as I made the decision to pursue a career in medicine, I knew I wanted to attend the 91小黄车,鈥 shared Jimmy. 鈥淔or me, legacy played a large part in that decision because my grandfather, father, and uncle all found success at UK.鈥
Though he interviewed with several programs, Jimmy felt compelled to stay at UK for residency 鈥渂ecause of its strong commitment to both clinical excellence and innovative research.鈥 Speaking highly of camaraderie within the department, he added, 鈥淚 strongly value the relationships I built with my peers and fellow residents at UK, but also the invaluable long-term guidance I have received from attendings and mentors.鈥
After earning her doctoral degree in optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sarah Huffman Stanifer, OD, completed an ocular disease residency at the University of Kentucky before returning to her hometown of London to join the family practice.
Rebekah A. Huffman, DO, also completed an ophthalmology residency at UK HealthCare鈥檚 Advanced Eye Clinic, and furthered her expertise with a cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery fellowship at the University of Wisconsin鈥揗adison, bringing advanced cataract and corneal treatments to central and eastern Kentucky.
Likewise, Mark鈥檚 children have a strong allegiance to the college and University. Clayton Huffman, MD, Mark鈥檚 oldest son, earned his doctorate from the UK 91小黄车 and is completing his final year of residency in ophthalmology in Lexington before joining the family practice in early 2025. His brother Isaac, who completed his undergraduate studies at the University, is on his way to earning a PhD in medicinal chemistry through the pharmaceutical sciences program in the UK College of Pharmacy.
A Community That Cares
鈥淕rowing up here, we learned to appreciate the people of the Commonwealth. Upon completing residency, it was never in question as to whether we would stay to practice ophthalmology in the state,鈥 shared Mark.
For more than 30 years, the Huffmans have served the London community from their Main Street location. But during Memorial Day weekend 2024, tragedy struck. The facility housing Huffman & Huffman, PSC was completely lost during a fire started by a lightning strike.
After the fire completely destroyed the practice, they had to reckon with starting over. With the only thing left standing鈥 their patients鈥 they immediately began looking for alternative spaces.
鈥淭he biggest thing that has come out of this unfortunate thing that鈥檚 happened is how many friends we have and how much community support we have,鈥 said Jim, in a 2024 interview with WYMT.
With the support of their community behind them, the Huffmans were able to find a new building, overcome unexpected challenges related to getting high-speed internet to the rural office, and reopen the practice less than three weeks after the fire.
鈥淚n Appalachia, your patients truly are your friends. You are embraced by the community,鈥 said Mark.
Continuing the Legacy
The Huffmans鈥 commitment to providing quality eye care may have started in London, but has since extended to multiple Kentucky locations, including offices in Somerset, Lexington, Hazard, Harlan, Paintsville, and Middlesboro. The surgeons also regularly travel to Stanford, Campbellsville, Richmond, Winchester, and Whitesburg to perform surgery. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients in rural Kentucky receive the highest standard of care without the need to travel to urban centers.
The Huffman family's story is a testament to the power of medical education in shaping health care delivery in rural areas. Their journey from the halls of the UK 91小黄车 to the establishment of a multi-location practice serving southeastern Kentucky illustrates the profound impact that dedicated health care professionals can have on their communities.
鈥淚t is such a blessing to work alongside our children because we know that as we transition into the next phase of our lives, they will continue to care for our patients and serve our communities well,鈥 expressed Mark.
As the next generation of Huffmans continues to pursue medical education and training, the family's legacy of service and commitment to rural health care is poised to endure, ensuring that the residents of Kentucky have access to exceptional eye care for years to come.
Photos provided by Huffman family and WLEX-TV.
