Hometown: Smyrna, TN

Bio: Hi! I’m Erin Herbstova. I was born in South Florida but grew up in Smyrna, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. From a young age, I was passionate about everything agriculture, owning horses, working on farms, actively participating in the FFA, and teaching horseback riding lessons. For college, I attended Middle Tennessee State University, where I majored in Biology and minored in Agriculture and Chemistry. During undergrad is when I began exploring my interest in medicine by getting involved with an organization dedicated to establishing long-term medical, dental, public health, and clean water initiatives in several developing countries.

I then attended Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado, where I participated in the Rural and Wilderness Medicine track, which has been incredibly influential in my medical education. I was also actively involved in the Family Medicine club, Special Olympics, and the office of Medical Simulations.

I have one horse named Aspen who is a Percheron Thoroughbred cross that has traveled across the country and competed with me in nationally recognized Three-Day Eventing competitions and two adorable dogs named Arvy and Oakley. In my free time, if I’m not at the barn riding horses, you can probably find me watching a Nashville Predators hockey game!

Why Memorial: I chose Memorial Hospital primarily due to the incredible time I had during my in-depth rotation here. I was impressed by the camaraderie among the residents, the supportive faculty, and the curriculum’s flexibility that allowed me to explore my various interests.

Clinical interests: Sports Medicine, Ultrasound, Addiction Medicine, OMT, and Integrative Medicine

Hobbies: Horseback riding, ice skating, escape rooms, and watching hockey

Favorite quotes No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle – Winston Churchill

Favorite books: Hope is a Feather Collection of Poems by Emily Dickenson

Favorite podcasts: Game of Roses

Best Advice: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Favorite thing to do/place to go in South Bend/Mishawaka: Ice skating at Howard Park