Emily Lockhart, PA-C, provides care with our Springfield Clinic Critical Care Medicine team at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

Emily earned her Master of Physician Assistant Science degree from the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind.

Emily was born and raised in Oblong, Ill., and she is proud to be serving rural patients who come to Springfield for medical care, especially intensive care. "Growing up," she says, "I didn't know anyone in the health care field and there always seemed to be unanswered questions about medications, treatment plans and what providers were really thinking when it came to treating people in my family. I think what initially drew me to medicine was the desire to help those around me and the drive to learn and understand so that others could be better informed as well."

Emily's passion is connecting with patients and their families, talking through concerns and helping them to understand what is going on and providing the highest level of care in a complex and critical environment. This is one of the reasons why she loves her specialty.

"Critical care not only allows you to treat patients when they really need it," Emily says, "but it also keeps you involved with multiple other specialties and surgical teams to coordinate care, procedures and techniques to best help each patient."

Emily hopes to get involved with a humane society once she's settled in her new position, as she has two cats of her own (Leo and Louie) and is a big animal lover. In her free time, she loves to be outside, cook and bake new recipes as well as cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals.