Our Practice in Belle Plaine

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

Personal Interests:

Dr. Zach Dirks lives just north of St. Peter with his wife, Rachel, daughter Ella, and son Benjamin. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, gardening, enjoying the outdoors, winemaking, and anything with his family.