for one year while he served in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard as part of the 134th Cavalry Regiment. He returned home just in time to join the class of 2015. His residency training was completed locally at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth where he gained extensive experience in trauma and diabetic limb salvage.

To further his training, Dr. Ernst completed two fellowships at the Paley Orthopedic and Spine Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, under the direction of Dr. Brad Lamm, DPM and Dr. Dror Paley, MD, both recognized leaders in their fields. There he received advanced training in total ankle replacements, minimally invasive surgery, external fixation, and limb lengthening, as well as in the treatment of congenital pediatric deformities. The center is the foremost leader in the world in limb lengthening and the treatment of complex orthopedic deformities. Dr. Ernst feels blessed to have been part of such an amazing team and to have had the privilege of treating patients from around the globe.

Dr. Ernst feels privileged to join such a distinguished group of physicians here at TIOS. He is dedicated to continuing the tradition of outstanding patient care and clinical outcomes as well as furthering the profession, having been published in multiple journals and textbooks as well as having spoken at local and national conferences.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Ernst is dedicated to his faith as well as the pursuit of fitness and nutrition goals. He enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family, including his nine nieces and nephews.