Dr. Ernst is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed Obstetrics and Gynecology training in 1997. In 2002, she became the Director of Gynecology and Sexual Health at the University Health Service of the University of Michigan. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her research interests are diverse and include student satisfaction with sexual assault services on campus, unmet healthcare needs of transgender and non-binary students and student experiences with inappropriate and disrespectful healthcare. Dr Ernst led a task force for the American College Health Association on best practices for sensitive exams which culminated in a white paper on the topic. Dr Ernst was appointed by the District Court of Central California to sit on 2 special master panels in class action settlements regarding physician sexual misconduct at USC and UCLA. In 2022 she was appointed to both the University of Michigan and American College Health Association Reproductive Rights Task Forces. In 2023, Dr Ernst was appointed as Medical Advisor for Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct for the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX office at the University of Michigan. She was recently appointed to lead the Presidential Task force for the development of a Center for Sexual Assault Survivors at the University of Michigan.