Emily M. Beard, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN
Oncology Nurse, Patient Navigator, & Program Coordinator, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute
Highlights
- LBBC Medical Advisory Board member since 2023
- Panelist, Discussing breast cancer with kids: Creating a roadmap with your patients
- Chair of the Board of Directors for Team Maggie’s Dream, an Atlanta-based non-profit dedicated to funding fertility preservation for young cancer survivors
- Believes collaboration and listening leads to improvement in patient care
- Personal commitment to health equity and access to care
- Certified in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
Connect
Emily Beard, RN, OCN, CBCN, is an oncology nurse, patient navigator, and subject matter expert on breast cancer quality and survivorship. As the program coordinator at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, she oversees breast cancer and gynecologic oncology program development, focusing on process improvement and patient experience. She has a personal commitment to health equity and access to care.
Emily has worked in nurse navigator, patient advocate, and program administrator roles for more than 18 years. A gifted communicator and connector, she holds clinical interests in metastatic breast cancer and developing initiatives for young people with cancer. This specifically includes areas such as hereditary cancer, fertility preservation, sexual health, and intimacy. Whether identifying barriers and supporting under-resourced cancer patients or developing programs to address health disparities in racial minority groups, Emily believes that advocacy is the path forward in healthcare. There is no quality improvement without collaboration and listening to and learning from our patients' stories: know better, do better!
Emily embraces the challenge and opportunity of oncology navigation, education, empowering conversations about symptom management and quality of life, coaching caregivers, and supporting continuing education for providers. She currently serves as the chair of the board of directors for Team Maggie’s Dream, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding fertility preservation for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Emily enjoys public speaking, bringing awareness to the community, and serving as an emcee for cancer advocacy events and fundraisers.
Emily's inspiration to become a navigator is rooted in her mother’s breast cancer journey. She resides in her hometown of Atlanta with her husband John and their two children.
Experience & accolades
Expertise
- Oncology nursing
- Patient navigation
Education
- Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
- Bachelor of science in nursing
- Oncology Certified Nurse
- Certified Breast Care Nurse
- University of South Florida
- Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Experience
- Northside Hospital Cancer Institute (2013-Present)
- Program coordinator, breast cancer and gyn oncology
- Multidisciplinary care coordinator
- Flatiron Health (2019-2023)
- Cancer abstractor
- DeKalb Medical (2007-2013)
- Manager, women’s cancer initiative
- Nurse navigator, comprehensive breast center
- Feminist Women’s Health Center (2005-2007)
- Clinical director/faculty administrator
- Staff nurse
- Emory University Hospital (2004-2005)
- Staff nurse, department of surgery
Awards & distinctions
- Matt Mumber, MD Award for Excellence in Cancer Patient Navigation, presented by Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia/Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (CORE) and Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology (GASCO), 2023
- Outstanding Atlanta Honoree: Selected as one of 10 Atlanta residents under 35 years of age recognized for outstanding leadership and community service in the area, 2006
- Silver Bowl Award, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, 2004
- Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, 2004
- Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Emory University, 2004
Professional memberships & board positions
- Medical Advisory Board, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, 2023-Present
- Member, Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia Advisory Board, Georgia CORE, 2023-Present
- Board Member, Team Maggie’s Dream, 2018-Present
- Editorial Board, Oncology Nursing News, 2010-Present
- Member, Council of Advisors, Focus: co-survivorship, Young Survival Coalition, 2016-Present
- Member, National Quality Metrics for Breast Centers Program, National Consortium of Breast Centers, 2016-2018
- Co-founder, Georgia Oncology Nurse Navigator Network, 2009-2015
- Board of Directors, HealthSTAT, 2004-2007
- Board of Directors, Outstanding Atlanta, 2006-2007
Publications
- Contributor, “Interview with the Innovators” series of the Journal of Oncology Navigation and Survivorship. Title: Best Practices in Ovarian Function Suppression in Premenopausal Breast Cancer.
- Beard, E. “Chapter 22” in Oncology Nurse Navigation Case Studies, Oncology Nursing Society.