Eric Valder, DO

Length of time at OMC:Before coming to OMC in 2020, I completed my residency at the University of Minnesota at the Mankato Family Medicine Program with a focus on rural medicine. During my residency, I enjoyed working in the Emergency Department, hospital and clinic. I feel blessed to be given the opportunity to work in the same areas at OMC that I enjoyed so much during residency.

Why do you like working at OMC?Growing up in Forest Lake, I was familiar with the Osceola area. The size of the community, the people who make this area so special, and the close location to where I grew up makes this a perfect place for me to start my practice. When I realized OMC needed a provider in the hospital, ER and clinic, I was immediately interested since this was exactly the practice I wanted to build for myself.

What is your philosophy of care?I like to give patients the kind of care that I would want during a visit. For that reason, I provide straightforward care with simple explanations when discussing their health. I work very hard to meet my patients where they’re at, both in understanding their medical concerns and setting goals of care. If the discussion turns into one about football, cars, fishing, hunting or the great meal they had, I’ll do my very best to get back to the task at hand during their visit, but I make no promises!

What do you like to do when you’re not at OMC?I grew up a big football fan and try not to miss any Vikings' games. Beyond that, I like to collect hobbies that keep me active, whether that’s cycling, swimming, automotive history, cooking, disc golf or most recently pinball. I also spend time at my parents' house, helping out whenever they need.