Her Story
About Emily
Emily Simmons serves as a pediatric nurse practitioner in pulmonary medicine at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. She has worked in the healthcare industry since 2003, focusing her practice on severe asthma in the pediatric population as well as dysphagia and aspiration. Simmons earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oral Roberts University in 2003 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University. She maintains an advanced practice license and full practice authority in Illinois and is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Her professional affiliations include the American Thoracic Society, the American Association of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers where she served as past pediatric co-chair, the American Lung Association, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners. In 2026, she will receive the Vanderbilt Alumni Association Clinical Achievement in Nursing Award. Simmons attributes her success to the support of her friends and family, values following God's voice as a Christian and prioritizing people over circumstances, and advises taking time rather than rushing in one's work. She volunteers with the Parkinson's Foundation, a Type 1 diabetes foundation, and her local church.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
To the support of my friends and family, that is... Yes, I would have given up years ago. I faced a long line of no, no, no, no, no.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It was when I was living in Africa, back in 2000 and maybe 1999, when I was in nursing school: If you take your time. If you rush you have to redo everything.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Find a support team who will tell you yes and support you to pursue what you want to do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include access to appointments that may be 3 or 4 months away, limitations from insurance companies on testing, and lack of support from colleagues. Opportunities are to pioneer the role that advanced practice providers such as nurse practitioners have to be clinical leaders in a primarily physician-dominated world.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
So I am a Christian, and following and listening for God's voice, and following what I feel like He is telling me, and being obedient to that. And then valuing people over the situation or circumstance.
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