Emily is originally from Norfolk, VA. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia and attended medical school at the Medical College of Virginia. She then completed pediatric residency at Vanderbilt and worked for a year as a newborn hospitalist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital prior to starting rheumatology fellowship.

Her hobbies include reading, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, John, and their two schnauzers, Monty and Arthur.