This week’s Meet-A-Mom is Dr. Emily A. Eyerkuss, D.O., F.A.A.P. of Rumson, NJ! When Emily isn’t busy working at Westpark Pediatrics you can find her with her husband Rob and adorable little boy Robbie. Some of her favorite activities are visiting Victory Park in Rumson and finding a great place to eat in Monmouth County. You can read more about this beautiful and impressive mom below.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Monmouth County?
I’ve lived in Monmouth County for most of my life! I grew up in Red Bank, and then lived in Fair Haven during Middle School and High School. I left for a few years to attend college in New York at Syracuse University, and then Medical School in South Jersey at UMDNJ-SOM. My husband and I bought a house in Rumson in July of 2013 which was quite a gamble being that I had applied to Pediatric Residency programs all over New England; but the stars aligned and I ended up at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and we’ve been loving life in Rumson ever since!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Our sweet boy, Robert (Robbie) William Eyerkuss IV- named after his Great Grandfather, Grandfather, and Dad joined our family in October of 2017 and has completely stolen our hearts for the last 2 years!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Even though I love science, I actually studied Psychology in college! Something most people don’t know is that you can choose any major that interests you, as long as you take the required pre-requisites to apply to Medical School. I think Psychology is a fascinating field of study and one that becomes vital for anyone working with people!
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
From the day we found out we were expecting, my husband Rob has been an absolute rock-star of a Dad. Having a baby during Residency is no small feat, but having the support of my wonderful husband and our parents (who luckily all live within Monmouth County as well!) helped to make it such a special experience right from the very beginning.
The night our son was born I was rushed into an emergency C-section at the very hospital where I worked, which was quite an emotional experience to say the least. I remember looking over at Rob as they placed our perfect little son in his arms and all of the chaos melted away. Though he had never held a baby before, it was as if being a father was exactly what he was born to do. And after my exceedingly brief maternity leave, I went back to work at the hospital for 80-90 hour work weeks which sometimes included 6 days straight of night shifts. Some weeks we didn’t see each other for days at a time- he would leave for work in the mornings before I’d be home from working overnight, and by the time he was home in the evening I’d be back at work. Rob always reminded me that this sacrifice would be worthwhile in the end! And when I was missing my newborn on long 24-hr weekend shifts, he’d bring lunch (or ice cream!) to the hospital for us so I could still enjoy a few minutes of family time. I’m constantly amazed by how effortlessly he has transitioned into this new life-changing role, which I think is in part due to the wonderful parents that raised him to always put family first.
It also bears mentioning that figuring out mothering with my own Mom just a few minutes down the road has made feel so much more at ease.
It truly takes a village!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This community has not only been my home, but has provided me so many opportunities to help me live out my dream of practicing medicine and taking care of children and their families right in Monmouth County. I started my journey in middle school volunteering at Riverview Medical Center on the Labor & Delivery Unit. In High School I created an immersive Senior Project that involved shadowing doctors in the Emergency Room. While home from college one summer, I started volunteering with the Rumson First Aid Squad (where I met my husband who is a Rumson Firefighter!), and got my EMT Certification which further solidified my desires to become a physician. In my final year of Medical School I was fortunate to be “matched” into the Pediatric Residency Program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center where I would get the opportunity to continue my medical training caring for children right here in Monmouth County. Most recently, I have settled into a wonderful local Pediatric practice- Westpark Pediatrics, part of the Barnabas Health Medical Group, where I am truly fulfilling my childhood dream of being a Pediatrician right in the community where I grew up! Between getting to care for new babies born at The Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center (just a short drive down Ocean Avenue from our house!) and caring for patients at our Ocean, Manalapan, and Lakewood offices- I feel so fortunate to have found such a fulfilling career right here at home.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
It’s nearly impossible to pick just one!
Barnacle Bills has always been among our favorites for a fantastic burger- we even bussed our wedding guests there for an after-party following our Spring 2015 wedding at the Rumson Riverhouse! I’m proud to say that I enjoyed a delicious Barnacle’s cheddar burger in my wedding dress!
Another favorite has got to be Un Dici, especially al fresco dining in the summertime when there’s live music playing! Their food is some of the best Italian in Monmouth County- on par with the food we enjoyed while vacationing in Rome a few years back!
Sushi is a staple for us, and our favorite spot has got to be Taka in Asbury Park- both for their creative variety of sushi rolls and for their great atmosphere.
Brunch is another favorite in our house- and one of our top spots is The Kitchen Witch in Monmouth Beach, where the three of us can be seen digging into a short stack of their chocolate chip pancakes!
What is your favorite activity to do with your child in Monmouth County?
Spending time together as a family is always special, and something we certainly don’t take for granted in the setting of our busy lives! We love spending time outside, especially at Victory Park in Rumson where we visit a special family bench and play in the gazebo where Rob and I were married. Robbie has recently started swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Middletown which has been so much fun- he loves the water! In the summertime you can find us at the beach digging in the sand and splashing in the tide pools.
Robbie adores animals, so we also love to visit Holmdel Park and see the horses, cows, chickens and pigs. I’d have to say though, that my most favorite activity is just spending time together at home- reading books, playing in the backyard, or just laughing at all of the funny things our toddler says!
What are your Mom Goals?
For myself and my family- I hope to raise strong, confident, caring, inquisitive & adventurous children who love their family and know that they can do anything in the world that they put their mind to!
As a Pediatrician I hope to always be a source of support and guidance for Moms (and Dads!) as they navigate this crazy journey of parenthood. To me, raising good humans is the most wonderful, unpredictable & important job in the world!
Our practice, Westpark Pediatrics, is always welcoming new patients and families! We even offer a prenatal visit to help you prepare for what to expect after your little one arrives, have all of your questions answered, and become familiar with our office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call 732-531-0010, or visit https://www.rwjbh.org/