Our Practice in St. Peter

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.

Dr. Zach Dirks was born in Apple Valley, MN and attended St. Peter High School. He graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Biology in 2003 and Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2007 as class valedictorian.

In 2007, Dr. Dirks joined the team of doctors at St. Peter Eyecare Center. In 2019, he purchased St. Peter Eyecare Center from Dr. Blake Dirks.

Dr. Zach Dirks completed clinical externships at the following locations:

• The Indian Health Services in Lawton, OK
• Ophthalmology Associates of Las Vegas, NV
• The Center for the Partially Sighted in Pasadena, CA
• The VA Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV
• The Fullerton CA Laser Vision Center (TLC)
• 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, corneal transplants, and laser vision correction. He is a member of the American Optometric Society and the Minnesota Optometric Society.

Dr. Zach Dirks lives in St. Peter with his wife, Rachel, daughter, Ella (2009), and son, Ben (2012). His hobbies include hunting, fishing, gardening, enjoying the outdoors, wine making, and anything with his family.

Dr. Vonnie Nelson was born and raised in the community of Hendrum, Minnesota. She graduated with High Honors from North Dakota State University with a BA in economics. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1993 as class valedictorian. She practiced in rural northwestern Minnesota and then Edina, MN before joining St. Peter Eyecare Center in 2001.

Dr. Nelson completed an internship at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital-Hyde Park in Chicago, where she received extensive experience in contact lens fitting and the treatment and management of ocular diseases. She offers comprehensive eye care, including contact lens service,the treatment and management of ocular diseases, and post-operative care.

Dr. Nelson is a member of the American and Minnesota Optometric Associations. She lives in the St. Peter area with her husband, Brian, and their two boys. She enjoys gardening, baking, and spending time outdoors.