She obtained a B.A. degree in Physiology from University of California, Berkeley, CA, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, CA. Emily gained acute care experience as a registered nurse at Portland Providence Hospital in Portland and Southwest Hospital, Vancouver, WA, and in community-based nursing at Clark County Health Department Clinic and Infectious Disease departments. She returned to school to earn her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Pacific University in Hillsboro, OR.