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Erin K. O'Brien, M.D.

  1. Otolaryngologist
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Erin O'Brien, M.D., is a fellowship trained rhinologist with a specialty interest in chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD: nasal polyps, asthma, aspirin sensitivity), benign sinus tumors, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the nose, and skull base surgery. She is the Division Chair of Rhinology in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology.

Her clinical focus includes:

  • Complex revision endoscopic sinus surgery include complex frontal sinus surgery
  • Multidisciplinary treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps with asthma and allergies with colleagues in Allergy and Pulmonary medicine
  • Endoscopic sinus surgery and surgical management of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps
  • Surgical and medical management of Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory disease AERD (Samter's Triad) of nasal polyps, asthma and aspirin sensitivity.
  • Surgical management of benign sinus tumors such as inverted papillomas
  • Endoscopic repair of nasal CSF leaks and encephaloceles with neurosurgery
  • Endoscopic approaches to pituitary tumors with neurosurgery
  • Expertise in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and epistaxis
  • Her research focus includes AERD and aspirin sensitive asthma and nasal polyps as well as chronic sinusitis.

In addition to her clinical activities, Dr. O'Brien is active in research and education, and provides mentorship to medical students and residents.

  1. Chronic sinusitis
  2. CSF leak
  3. Nasal and paranasal tumors
  4. Nasal polyps
  5. Samter's triad
  1. Endoscopic procedure
  • Endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery
  • Rhinology
  • Chronic rhinosinusitis
  • Nasal polyps
  • Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (Samter's triad)
  • Benign sinus tumors
  • Sinonasal inverted papilloma
  • Smell disorders
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and leaks
  1. 2008
    Fellow - Rhinology and Chemosensory Fellowship in Dept of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck SurgeryUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center
  2. 2007
    Resident - Residency in Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of Iowa
  3. 2003
    Research Fellowship - T32 NIH Research Fellowship, Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PediatricsUniversity of Iowa
  4. 2001
    Internship - Internship in General SurgeryMercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
  5. 2000
    MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  6. 1996
    BA - BA in Biology, Magna cum laudeDePauw University

Certifications

  1. 2008
    Otolaryngology � Head & Neck SurgeryAmerican Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2024
    Honors Award American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  2. 2024
    Teacher of the yearMayo Clinic
  3. 2010
    Loan Repayment ProgramNational Institutes of Health
  4. 2003
    Research Week Poster Competition AwardCollege of Medicine, University of Iowa
  5. 2000
    Kenneth H. Hinderer, M.D., Memorial Award in OtolaryngologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  6. 1996
    Phi Beta KappaDePauw University
  7. 1996
    Albert E. Reynolds Outstanding Senior Award in Biological SciencesDePauw University
  8. 1992
    Rector Presidential Scholarship, Full TuitionDePauw University
  9. 1992
    Science Research Fellows ProgramDePauw University

Professional memberships

  1. 2024 - present
    ChairDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgery, Academic Advancement and Promotion Committee
  2. 2022 - present
    Councilor - Surgery and Surgical SpecialtiesOfficers and Councilors
  3. 2021 - 2023
    Chair- Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus CommitteeAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  4. 2021 - present
    MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  5. 2020 - 2024
    Diversity and Inclusion CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
  6. 2020 - present
    Task forceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  7. 2020 - 2021
    Task forceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  8. 2019 - present
    Oral ExaminerAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
  9. 2018 - 2021
    ChairMembership Committee, American Rhinologic Society
  10. 2018 - 2020
    Governing Board, Women in Rhinology SectionAmerican Rhinologic Society
  11. 2018 - present
    Founding Charter Member, Women in Rhinology SectionAmerican Rhinologic Society
  12. 2018 - present
    Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  13. 2018 - present
    Committee ChairAmerican Rhinologic Society
  14. 2018 - 2019
    Immediate Past PresidentMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
  15. 2018 - present
    Commiittee MemberClinical Practice Committee, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
  16. 2017 - 2018
    PresidentMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
  17. 2016 - 2018
    MemberSociety of University Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons
  18. 2016 - 2018
    Founding Member, Women in Rhinology CouncilAmerican Rhinologic Society
  19. 2016 - 2017
    Oral Boards Guest ExaminerAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
  20. 2016 - 2020
    MemberMayo Clinic Rochester, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Executive Committee
  21. 2016 - 2017
    President ElectMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
  22. 2015 - 2022
    Department Team LeaderOffice of Diversity and Inclusion
  23. 2015 - present
    Commiittee MemberMarketing Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
  24. 2014 - 2021
    Membership CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
  25. 2014 - present
    Membership committee memberAmerican Rhinological Society
  26. 2014 - 2016
    TreasurerMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
  27. 2014 - 2021
    Program CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
  28. 2012 - present
    MemberResident Interview Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
  29. 2012 - present
    MemberEducation Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
  30. 2012 - present
    Commiittee MemberResearch Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
  31. 2012 - present
    FellowAmerican Rhinologic Society
  32. 2011 - present
    MemberNorth American Skull Base Society
  33. 2010 - 2012
    Item WriterAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
  34. 2008 - present
    DiplomateAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
  35. 2007 - present
    MemberAmerican Rhinologic Society
  36. 2005
    MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy
  37. 2001 - 2003
    MemberAmerican Society of Human Genetics
  38. 2001 - present
    MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.