EMMA STEARNS
NEW YORK
Summary
Dynamic public health professional with experience in gynecological cancer research, frontline emergency medical response, and reproductive justice advocacy. Committed to advancing public-health centered approach to safety and supporting progressive visions – such as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s – rooted in care instead of criminalization. Background in successful grassroots organizing for democratic socialist candidates including San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Research Coordinator/ Patient Advocacy & Care Coordinator
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)
01.2022 - Current
- Lead research and care teams across the institution to ensure cohesion
- Design and improve databases and tools to facilitate patient consent throughout research projects
- Serve as patient advocate throughout the treatment process – facilitating communication between patient and care teams, managing pathology and medical specimen submissions, and resolving questions and concerns with empathy and precision
- Collect, abstract, and maintain data for research projects, databases, and clinical trials, ensuring quality and integrity
- Collaborate with research and care teams across the institution to ensure cohesion, serving as main point of contact
- Managed a high-volume clinic serving up to 40 patients per day, coordinating logistics for procedures and consultations to ensure timely, compassionate, and equitable care
Advocacy Coordinator
Parnassus Neighborhood Coalition
01.2021 - 2021
- Organized opposition to UCSF’s proposed development expansion into the Parnassus neighborhood, including door-knocking, phone-banking, and a strong community presence at town halls
- Assisted community members in drafting statements and encouraged public speaking in town halls and on local news
- Educated community members on negative impacts of development project across transportation and housing
Deputy Campaign Coordinator
Dean Preston for Supervisor
01.2020 - 2020
- Spearheaded a small-team fundraising strategy that raised over $150,000 in five months through events, volunteer outreach, and digital organizing
- Wore multiple hats in a fast-paced campaign environment – supporting field operations, volunteer coordination, communications, social media, voter outreach, and event planning
- Co-developed persuasion scripts, digital content, and messaging that connected local housing struggles to Preston’s broader fight for housing justice – including taxing the rich to fund social housing, securing an eviction ban during the pandemic, and prioritizing affordable housing in San Francisco’s development policies
- Engaged with voters via phone, email, and text, with about 35+ hours of individualized voter engagement per week
- Managed a team of interns and volunteers and led weekly meetings and planning sessions on canvassing technique, with a focus on energizing voters
Community Advocate
Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Mobilized college students to support the passage of the ROE Act by organizing postcard-writing events, phone banks, and informational sessions to build youth power in the reproductive justice movement
- Leveraged social media to amplify student voices and share personal testimonials, increasing awareness and participation in the ROE Act campaign across campuses
- Developed and administered a post-campaign survey to evaluate organizing strategies, analyze engagement data, and inform recommendations for future advocacy efforts
Emergency Medical Technician
Brewster Ambulance Service
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Responded to 911 calls and provided emergency medical care, with a focus on stabilizing and safely transporting patients experiencing behavioral health and psychiatric crises
- Collaborated with hospital staff, social workers, and family members to ensure compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals in crisis
- Utilized de-escalation and trauma-informed communication techniques to reduce harm and avoid unnecessary law enforcement during non-violent emergencies
- Operated in high-pressure, unpredictable environments requiring rapid assessment, critical thinking, and calm decision-making
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Health Science
Northeastern University
Boston05-2020
Skills
- Organizing and Advocacy: Voter Action Network (VAN), NationBuilder, ActBlue, volunteer coordination, community outreach, field operations, fundraising strategy, campaign and voter persuasion
- Communications: Digital organizing, social media strategy, public messaging, press outreach, community education
- Healthcare & Crisis Response: Emergency medical response, crisis de-escalation, trauma-informed care, patient advocacy, interprofessional coordination, data documentation
- Policy & Research: Public health and housing justice advocacy, legislative and issue research, data-driven outreach
Certification
Unitek College, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification 2017
Timeline
Clinical Research Coordinator/ Patient Advocacy & Care Coordinator
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)
01.2022 - Current
Advocacy Coordinator
Parnassus Neighborhood Coalition
01.2021 - 2021
Deputy Campaign Coordinator
Dean Preston for Supervisor
01.2020 - 2020
Community Advocate
Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts
01.2019 - 01.2020
Emergency Medical Technician
Brewster Ambulance Service
01.2018 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Health Science
Northeastern University