Our Team

Dr. Emma Panning grew up on her family’s farm in local Hamburg, MN. She attended Central High School in Norwood Young America and went on to graduate as the class Valedictorian from Truman State University in Missouri with a BS in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. Dr. Panning completed her Doctorate of Optometry in 2024 at Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee; graduating with the high honor, Summa Cum Laude. During her training, she completed clinical externships at Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska where she served Native Alaskans with a focus on emergency eye care and ocular disease.

Dr. Panning went on to complete an additional externship focusing on primary eye care in New Prague and Gaylord, MN at Goldsmith Eye Care. During her time in school she was a member of the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity organization where she completed service trips to Merida, Mexico to provide free eye care to underserved local populations. Dr. Panning is excited to be back in Southern Minnesota. She practices at both Belle Plaine Eyecare Center and Le Sueur Eyecare Center and is looking forward to serving her local communities again. When she is not taking care of patients, she enjoys traveling, hiking, boating, and spending time with family. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Panning to our offices!

Dr. Zach Dirks was born in Apple Valley, MN, and grew up in St. Peter, MN. He attended St. Peter High School and the University of Minnesota, where he received numerous academic accreditations. Dr. Z. Dirks received his doctorate in optometry in 2007 from the Southern California College of Optometry and was class valedictorian. His training focused heavily on family eye care and the treatment of ocular disease. Dr. Z. Dirks currently lives north of St. Peter with his wife and 2 children.

Education:
Dr. Zach Dirks attended St. Peter High School. He graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Biology in 2003. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, CA, in 2007 as class valedictorian.

Training:
Dr. Zach Dirks completed clinical externships at the Indian Health Services in Lawton, OK, Ophthalmology Associates of Las Vegas, NV, Center for the Partially Sighted Pasadena, CA, VA Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV, the Fullerton CA Laser Vision Center (TLC), and the Southern California College of Optometry Vision Center in Fullerton, CA. These externships had an emphasis on ocular disease management, specifically glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, dry eye, and post-operative care for cataracts and corneal transplants.

Professional Associations:
He is a member of the American Optometric Society, Minnesota Optometric Society, and Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society.

Areas of Practice:

• Routine Eye & Vision Care for the Entire Family
• Dry Eye Management
• Management of Chronic Eye Disease (Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Eye Care)
• Acute Eye Care
• Specialty Vision Care and Contact Fitting

Dr. Hansen grew up in the New London-Spicer area of MN. She went on to graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College. Dr. Hansen completed her optometric training at the University of California Berkeley in 2011, then continued her education as a resident at the San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Hospital; in addition, she is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Hansen Brown previously practiced in Washington State before returning to the Willmar area in 2020. She is excited to be back in the southern Minnesota area.

Dr. Hansen sees patients at Le Sueur Eyecare Center and St. Peter Eyecare Center where she provides primary care optometry, which includes co-managing cataract, glaucoma, retina, and dry eye patients. Dr. Hansen has a focus on specialty treatments of Dry Eye Disease as well as gas permeable and scleral contact lens fittings. She also specializes in Myopia Management for kids and young adults.

When not in clinic Dr. Hansen enjoys keeping busy with her three kids and husband, Joey. She loves the visual and musical arts, playing instruments and singing. On a weekend you can find her spectating a sporting event, outside running or on the lake, or enjoying some downtime reading a book.

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