A Big-Picture Approach Greets Marshall's First Psychiatrist

Aug. 7, 2017 — A clinician born and raised in Sacramento County, Jeremy Ernst, DO, is the first full-time psychiatrist in Marshall’s 58-year history. Asked what makes his work rewarding, Dr. Ernst mentioned law enforcement.

“The element of detective work helps make it worthwhile,” Dr. Ernst said. “You can’t just prescribe drugs. I enjoy treating the whole person, the whole patient, and uncovering the whole picture along the way.”

His areas of clinical expertise include diagnosis/treatment of major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorders, in addition to Autism Spectrum Disorder. A board eligible practitioner, Dr. Ernst completed both his psychiatry fellowship (2017) and residency (2015) at the University of Nevada’s School of Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Sacramento State in 2004 and a medical degree (2012) from Touro University in Vallejo.

“I am strongly in support of this addition as many of our patients have medical and psychological issues and we are better able to support them by having Dr. Ernst join Marshall,” Marshall CEO James Whipple said.

The addition of Dr. Ernst, available by referral only, reflects the commitment of Marshall and its Board of Directors to the surrounding community.

Produced every three years, Marshall’s Community Health Needs Assessment compares the provider’s medical services with El Dorado County’s top health priorities. The most recent version named “access to behavioral health services” as the most significant health need of the Marshall Hospital Service Area (HSA).

“One of the major findings…was the high frequency of mental illness in the Marshall HSA,” the report read. “Changes in the mental health provider network in the last few years have resulted in many residents going untreated for mental illness.”

Marshall continues to grow overall – Dr. Ernst is one of 11 full-time practitioners who will have joined its clinics by the end of 2017 – while expanding behavioral health services. It employs eight social workers, up from one in 2005. By this time next year, the nonprofit hopes to hire its only Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCW) and another psychiatrist.

Dr. Ernst attended Galt High School after being raised in the nearby town of Herald. He resides in El Dorado Hills with his wife and two daughters. Marshall is an independent, nonprofit community healthcare provider located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills.

Marshall includes Marshall Hospital, a fully accredited acute care facility with 125 beds in Placerville; several outpatient facilities in Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and Georgetown; and many community health and education programs. Marshall has nearly 300 physicians and 1,500 employees providing quality healthcare services to over 180,000 residents of El Dorado County.