Dr. Barnard, who will begin seeing patients in April 2021, will provide a full range of state-of-the-art, in-house diagnostic and treatment options for female and male infertility, elective egg freezing, LGBTQ family building, and fertility preservation prior to cancer treatment.
Dr. Barnard is here today as a reproductive endocrinologist because of one ultrasound she saw during medical school that altered her future forever. Seeing the pure joy of a couple who finally heard the two simple yet lifechanging words “you’re pregnant” brought tears to Dr. Barnard’s eyes, further inspiring her to pursue her career as a fertility physician.
Dr. Barnard completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Mayo Clinic in her home state of Minnesota. During her residency, Dr. Barnard was awarded the 2016 Mayo International Health Program Scholarship to fund her travels to Kampala, Uganda, for an obstetrics elective. That same year, she earned the 2016 Pfizer President’s Award from the Society for Reproductive Investigation, which was awarded to the 25 most meritorious abstracts submitted by investigators in training to encourage consideration of a research career. Following her distinguished residency, Dr. Barnard completed her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh.
When Dr. Barnard isn’t caring for patients, presenting at conferences across the country on new infertility studies and findings, or advocating on Capitol Hill, you can find her staying active by boating, doing yoga/barre, playing the cello, or cheering on both local and Minnesota sports teams. She resides in Silver Spring, MD, with her husband and son.
More about Dr. Emily Barnard
Why did you become a doctor?
Dr. Barnard: I am the first physician in my family, and I was inspired to enter this profession by a mentor I had in high school who was a pediatric intensive care physician. He had the combination of sharp intellect with dedication to his patients. He had the privilege of helping families through their most devastating moments with compassion, and this inspired me to pursue the field of medicine from an early age.
Where did your interest in reproductive endocrinology come from?
Dr. Barnard: As a medical student, I did a two-week rotation in reproductive endocrinology after deciding I wanted to go into Obstetrics and Gynecology. During this time, I saw the ultrasound of a couple who got pregnant, and it brought tears to my eyes and inspired me to pursue this career path. I had never heard of the field prior to my experience, but I knew on day one that this was the right field for me.
The mix of cutting-edge science with a very human touch hooked me right away. Breakthroughs in treatment, like in vitro fertilization, offer the possibility of children to many who would not have the opportunity without this technology. Now that I have my own child, I feel an even keener sense of the importance of my work.
What about SGF makes you the most proud?
Dr. Barnard: I wanted to join SGF because they have a strong reputation for clinical excellence and patient-centered care. While SGF is a private practice , they also emphasize research to improve patient outcomes and teach the next generation of medical students, residents, and fellows. I appreciate the outreach SGF prioritizes in the community as this is a passion of mine. Finally, SGF feels like a family, and when you and your team enjoy coming to work, it shows!
What is your approach to helping patients who are struggling?
Dr. Barnard: I promise to take the extra minute to listen, support, and be fully present for patients no matter where they are in their journey. I will work diligently to help my patients achieve their goals and will seek answers to every question they have about this ever-evolving field. I will be there to offer a smile or hug of support, condolence, or celebration.
Who inspires you?
Dr. Barnard: I am passionate about advocating for my patients, both in the exam room and on Capitol Hill. I do this because my patients inspire me with their strength and perseverance through the challenges of infertility diagnosis and treatment. They deserve access to health care, coverage for fertility treatment, assistance with adoption, and equality with respect to marital status, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It is especially inspiring to me when patients of mine not only meet their family-building goals, but become advocates for themselves, taking back some of the power that can be lost during this process.
How would you describe your personality?
Dr. Barnard: I am a quiet extrovert, and I love meeting new patients and colleagues. I am a hard worker and always striving to improve myself. Organization makes me happy, and I enjoy planning out my days in advance. I try to find joy in the little things.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Dr. Barnard: I love to spend time with my family and friends, many of whom live in the Midwest where I grew up. I am passionate about traveling and exploring the United States and abroad, but I have also recently started to make “bucket lists” for a few hours radius from where I live — it is fun to be a tourist in your own city! I also love going out and trying new restaurants, attending a play or orchestra concert, hiking, barre classes, boating, and watching sporting events. My husband and I have spent many years apart during our medical training and with his military commitment, so weekends together with our son are the best.
Patients may schedule a virtual appointment with Dr. Barnard by calling 1-877-761-1967 or by submitting this brief form.
