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
- 2024
Honors Award American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2024
Teacher of the yearMayo Clinic
- 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
- 2024 - present
ChairDepartment of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgery, Academic Advancement and Promotion Committee
- 2022 - present
Councilor - Surgery and Surgical SpecialtiesOfficers and Councilors
- 2021 - 2023
Chair- Rhinology and Paranasal Sinus CommitteeAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2021 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2020 - 2024
Diversity and Inclusion CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2020 - present
Task forceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2020 - 2021
Task forceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2019 - present
Oral ExaminerAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
- 2018 - 2021
ChairMembership Committee, American Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - 2020
Governing Board, Women in Rhinology SectionAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - present
Founding Charter Member, Women in Rhinology SectionAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - present
Committee MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
- 2018 - present
Committee ChairAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2018 - 2019
Immediate Past PresidentMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2018 - present
Commiittee MemberClinical Practice Committee, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery/Audiology
- 2017 - 2018
PresidentMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2016 - 2018
MemberSociety of University Otolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons
- 2016 - 2018
Founding Member, Women in Rhinology CouncilAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2016 - 2017
Oral Boards Guest ExaminerAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
- 2016 - 2020
MemberMayo Clinic Rochester, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Executive Committee
- 2016 - 2017
President ElectMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2015 - 2022
Department Team LeaderOffice of Diversity and Inclusion
- 2015 - present
Commiittee MemberMarketing Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2014 - 2021
Membership CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2014 - present
Membership committee memberAmerican Rhinological Society
- 2014 - 2016
TreasurerMinnesota Academy of Otolaryngology
- 2014 - 2021
Program CommitteeAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2012 - present
MemberResident Interview Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
MemberEducation Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
Commiittee MemberResearch Committee, Department of Otorhinolaryngology
- 2012 - present
FellowAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2011 - present
MemberNorth American Skull Base Society
- 2010 - 2012
Item WriterAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
- 2008 - present
DiplomateAmerican Board of Otolaryngology
- 2007 - present
MemberAmerican Rhinologic Society
- 2005
MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngologic Allergy
- 2001 - 2003
MemberAmerican Society of Human Genetics
- 2001 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Publications
Research activities