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Hi, my name is Erica Burger. I'm a psychiatrist from rural Wisconsin and live with my husband on a farmstead in rural Southwest Wisconsin. In a former life, I worked on organic farms and competed in endurance running events. Outside of medicine, I enjoy gardening, keeping my sourdough starter alive, embodied practices, learning local history, and cooking. I still run a little bit too.
My practice philosophy is informed by many wise mentors, evidence-informed medicine, biodynamic osteopathic medicine, internal family systems therapy, contemplative practices, foraging, and spending much of my life living in the rural Midwest.
I completed my B.A. degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula (Marquette, Michigan) in 2009. After working as a home health aide during my senior year, I changed my course and began the pre-medical requirements once I realized that I wanted to directly help people and be a physician. I had been accepted into naturopathic medical school at Bastyr University and almost went that route - but deep down, knew that I wanted the knowledge base and rigor of conventional medical training.
About Dr. Erica Burger, Psychiatrist
Choosing more of the middle ground, I studied osteopathic medicine at Des Moines University and completed a Masters of Public Health degree from there as well. I completed psychiatry residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, and received the Compassionate Care award in 2018 and 2019, voted on by my peers.
Prior to medical school, I knew that I wanted to practice medicine in a truly holistic way - and not too different from how I saw the benefit of regenerative farming practices and local food systems for both individuals and communities when I was studying sustainable agriculture. I sought out mentorship from leaders in the field and continued to build my knowledge base regarding integrative medicine while learning conventional medicine.
I also work part-time in an inpatient psychiatric hospital with Health Partners, located in Amery, Wisconsin. I'm a deep believer in the power of community, relationship, and helping people restore trust in themselves in order to heal.
About Marla Peterson, Clinic Assistant
Hello, I'm Marla Peterson. Growing up amidst the bluffs and valleys of De Soto, Wisconsin, I have always felt a deep connection to the Driftless region. After earning a B.S. in Human Ecology with a focus on Community Leadership from the University of Wisconsin, I dedicated a year and a half to revitalizing the Mississippi Gulf Coast post-Hurricane Katrina. In 2021, I concluded a 20-year career with Madison (WI) public schools and was honored to join Dr. Burger in 2022.
Outside of my work for the clinic, I enjoy exploring different places and cultures through solo travel (most recently the Balkans and Scandinavia), listening to music, practicing yoga and meditation, and spending as much time as possible in nature. In a return to my roots, I now own a rustic cabin on three acres not far from my childhood home.
I believe in the transformative power of community and human connection, and it brings me great joy to contribute to the mission of Driftless Integrative Psychiatry in this unique corner of the world.
