Emily Milliken, NP - Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre

About Emily Milliken

A Health Careers program at Edwardsburg High School gave Emily Milliken, NP-C, the opportunity to job shadow health professionals and discover an interest in nursing.

She graduated from University of Michigan with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and went to work as a surgical intensive care unit nurse. “I found my passion for patient education in the surgical patient population,” she says. Emily then went back to school for her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, degree from Goshen College.

Specializing in orthopedics gives Emily the opportunity to challenge herself and expand her expertise of caring for the surgical patient in a different field. “As a nurse practitioner, I am able to meet with patients preoperatively to provide education, then participate in their surgery and postoperative care.”

Emily’s approach to practicing medicine is to work with her patients, encouraging them to actively participate in the process. She works to educate them as they create a care plan so they can make educated decisions. “I also practice medicine with empathy,” she says. “Even though I may have dealt with this medical problem before, I understand that it is often the first time for the patient and family.”

Emily hopes her patients learn something from their encounter with her and feel more confident about their care plan and team than before she worked with them.

In her own words…

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  I actually detasseled corn one summer – now that was hard work! I spent all four years of high school as a restaurant hostess and then a waitress. I was a three-season athlete, so learning time management between school, sports and a job was important. I worked with some pretty great people who really encouraged me to leave our hometown and go to nursing school at U of M. I will always appreciate their support.

What is your favorite food? Movie?  Food: Anything dark chocolate or peanut butter.  Movie: I love a good “based on a true story” movie like, Remember the Titans.

What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  I think I’m a fairly typical medical person – I excelled at math and science; I struggled with English. I enjoyed taking German, although it’s not something that has stuck with me, unfortunately.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My Nana passed away this year. What I wouldn’t given to sit down with her again. She was so special. 

What are your hobbies, interests?  If I am not working, you will most likely find me at the gym or home with my bulldogs. I am passionate about health and wellness. I believe that much of our health is what we put into it.  Movement of any kind = happy endorphins. I enjoy spending time with my farmer husband and our friends. We like trying new restaurants and visiting new places on vacation. We visit Fort Myers, FL, as often as we can, to see family.

Do you have pets?  Yes, two funny French bulldogs, Benjamin and Kiki. They make me laugh every day. They keep me company when my husband is putting in long hours on the farm.