Read Time: 3 minutes
For , nursing has always been about connection—to patients, to family, to community.
Emily’s journey began at the in 1999, when she worked as a certified nursing assistant on the medical oncology floor while attending nursing school. “I was part of the planning group when Huntsman Cancer Institute was being built and my first shift as a full-fledged nurse was the day the hospital opened,” she recalls.
Over time, Emily explored many areas of nursing care, but it was oncology that captured her heart. “Oncology resonated with me because of the amazing patients,” she says. “It was an area where medical treatments were evolving for the better. Cancer care has really changed during my time here. We have more targeted therapies and can offer our patients a lot more options.”
Today, Emily is a nurse practitioner specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer and lung cancer. Making meaningful connections with patients is at the heart of her work. “Improving their cancer journey—either through better symptom management, offering new treatments through clinical trials, and helping them through treatments—that’s the most rewarding part of my job.”
“What’s my why? My patients. Someone has just been told they have cancer, and they’re scared. Being able to help them through—that’s what motivates me.”
Sometimes, those connections lead to touching, unexpected moments. Emily recalls caring for a patient she had never met before, who shared that she was selling baked goods at a farmers market in Hurricane, Utah. “After a brief conversation we discovered she had been best friends with my grandma. This patient, who I saw just once, loved the same person I loved. Making connections and finding out what is important to patients helps me take better care of them.”
Emily’s deep commitment to education has shaped her career. “My professors motivated me and instilled the importance of this role in me. Education is so important—we can always learn more. I’m grateful for the excellent mentors who were nurses, who helped guide me in my career.”
Through it all, Emily stays grounded by focusing on her patients. “What’s my why? My patients. Someone has just been told they have cancer, and they’re scared and worried. They want answers and the best chance possible. Being able to help them manage symptoms or get through the day as best they can and give them hope, that’s what motivates me.”
Outside of work, Emily believes in maintaining strong boundaries to preserve balance. “Try to leave work at work. Good boundaries are important.” She and her family enjoy hiking, biking, visiting Moab, and relaxing together whenever they can.
Reflecting on her career, Emily shares advice for others considering nursing: “Nursing is the most rewarding profession. There are career options that fit with any interest in health care. You have an opportunity to improve someone’s life.”
For Emily, being part of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s staff is another source of pride. “We have such a great staff who really exemplify the founding principles of Huntsman Cancer Institute: to provide patient-centered and innovative cancer care.”
This Nurses Week, we celebrate Emily and all nurses whose expertise, compassion, and dedication light the way for patients and families every day.