Esther Emard
About Esther Emard
Esther Emard is a Graduate Faculty member at George Washington University, specializing in Health Care Quality and Patient Safety. She has extensive experience in health care leadership, having served as Chief Operating Officer at NCQA and in various roles at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Work at The George Washington University
Esther Emard has served as Graduate Faculty at The George Washington University since 2013. In this role, she teaches graduate-level programs that cover essential topics such as Health Care Quality, Patient Safety, Leadership & Change, and Health Policy. Her teaching approach utilizes a Distance Education format, allowing her to reach a diverse group of students and professionals in the health care field.
Previous Experience at NCQA
Esther Emard worked at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for a total of 14 years. She held the position of Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2012, overseeing various operational aspects of the organization. After her tenure as COO, she served as a Consultant at NCQA from 2013 to 2014, contributing her expertise in health care quality and operations in the Washington D.C. Metro Area.
Professional Background at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Prior to her time at NCQA, Esther Emard was employed at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care as Senior Vice President of Regional Operations from 1987 to 1999. In this role, she was responsible for managing regional operations and implementing strategies to enhance health care delivery within the organization over a span of 12 years.
Education and Expertise
Esther Emard holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. She also earned a Master of Science (MS) in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied from 1980 to 1982. Her educational background supports her extensive expertise in health care quality and patient-centered practices.
Research Focus on Nurse-Led Patient-Centered Medical Homes
Esther Emard's research emphasizes the role of Nurse-Led Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) and the involvement of Nurse Practitioners in recognized PCMH practices. Her work contributes to understanding how nursing leadership can enhance patient care and improve health outcomes within these models.