Biographical summary
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.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- 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
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2008
Fellow - Rhinology and Chemosensory Fellowship in Dept of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck SurgeryUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center
- 2007
Resident - Residency in Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryUniversity of Iowa
- 2003
Research Fellowship - T32 NIH Research Fellowship, Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, PediatricsUniversity of Iowa
- 2001
Internship - Internship in General SurgeryMercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
- 2000
MDUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- 1996
BA - BA in Biology, Magna cum laudeDePauw University
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2008
Otolaryngology-Head & Neck SurgeryAmerican Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Awards and honors
- 2010
Loan Repayment ProgramNational Institutes of Health
- 2003
Research Week Poster Competition AwardCollege of Medicine, University of Iowa
- 2000
Kenneth H. Hinderer, M.D., Memorial Award in OtolaryngologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
- 1996
Phi Beta KappaDePauw University
- 1996
Albert E. Reynolds Outstanding Senior Award in Biological SciencesDePauw University
- 1992
Rector Presidential Scholarship, Full TuitionDePauw University
- 1992
Science Research Fellows ProgramDePauw University
Professional memberships
- 2022 - present
Officers and Councilors
- 2021 - 2023
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2021 - present
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2020 - present
American Rhinologic Society
- 2020 - present
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2020 - 2021
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2019 - present
American Board of Otolaryngology
- 2018 - 2021
Membership Committee, American Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - 2020
American Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - present
American Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - present
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2018 - present
American Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - 2019
Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2018 - present
Clinical Practice Committee, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
- 2017 - 2018
Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2016 - 2018
Society of University Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons
- 2016 - 2018
American Rhinologic Society
- 2016 - 2017
American Board of Otolaryngology
- 2016 - 2020
Mayo Clinic Rochester, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Executive Committee
- 2016 - 2017
Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2015 - 2022
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- 2015 - present
Marketing Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2014 - 2021
American Rhinologic Society
- 2014 - present
American Rhinological Society
- 2014 - 2016
Minnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2014 - 2021
American Rhinologic Society
- 2012 - present
Resident Interview Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
Education Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
Research Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
American Rhinologic Society
- 2011 - present
North American Skull Base Society
- 2010 - 2012
American Board of Otolaryngology
- 2008 - present
American Board of Otolaryngology
- 2007 - present
American Rhinologic Society
- 2005
American Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy
- 2001 - 2003
American Society of Human Genetics
- 2001 - present
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Publications
Research activities