Member Profile - Zach Dirks, OD

September 9, 2022
September Member Spotlight

Where do you currently practice?
St. Peter Eyecare Center and Belle Plaine Eyecare Center MN

Where are you from originally?
St. Peter MN

What school did you graduate from (undergraduate and optometry)?
University of MN-Twin Cities and Southern California College of Optometry

What are your hobbies?
Hunting, Fishing, and Gardening

Describe your local community involvement?
I am a former chamber board member for 6 years. We have always liked to be involved in the local parades. I try and do at least one school screening per year. My dad, Blake, and I also give the ocular trauma lecture at a near by college to the athletic trainer students. Outside of work related things I am active in my children's school activities and help coach both my son and daughters basketball teams.

Tell us about your family and pets?
I have an amazing wife Rachel and two kids Ella (13) and Ben (10). We have a small family dog named Jack and most recently began raising chickens that find ways to embarass me weekly.

Why do you choose to be a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association?
I chose to be a member of the MOA to help support the profession for current doctors and future ones. Since optometry is a legislated profession I feel it is needed to ensure our rights as OD's are protected and expanded to reflect the advancements in eye care. Even when I may not fully agree with everything a given association does it is important to step back and realize that our professional associations are vital to keeping a viable and vibrant career for all of us. They also, with the help of the AOA, provide a great and growing training resource for staff.

What do you like best about the profession of optometry?
I like that I can spend time with my patients, get to know them and serve them. I don't feel that I am forced or rushed into seeing so many patients that they become a number. I like the community around me and how they make our offices part of it. I love the medical aspect of eyecare but also that it has the vision aspect that can be so rewarding when caring for people.

Describe your favorite memory from your optometric career.
There are many from both my schooling and my career but probably the single thing I will remember the longest was the ability to practice with my dad.

What fun fact would you like to share about yourselves that your colleagues may not know about you?
I was the TearGlyde mascot at a couple of optometry conventions while in school. At the age of 6 I also won a phoropter at a conference because my dad put my name into a raffle. Apparently I was destined for eyecare!

Please list any articles you have written or lectures you have provided to educate others on eye care.
Although I am not an FAAO or active in research or writing I do really enjoy contributing to Envision magazine and participate in the local college's athletic training program.

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