12/02/2025
“My biggest 'whys' for going into healthcare were my parents, for their encouragement, and my brother who has special needs. My brother has autism and severe seizures. He is 5 years older than me but has the mental capacity of a three-year-old. My brother inspired me to help and advocate for others with medical conditions. We were told he would never talk or learn things, but with the help of his healthcare providers and family, I watched him accomplish both. Not only that, he joined regular bowling leagues with a 192 average and separately went on to become one of the top cyclists in the world with disabilities. He competed in the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece as the number 3 cyclist on Team USA.
I wanted to choose a medical career where I could make the biggest impact on others. In school, I was drawn to cardiology because I was determined to turn what was at first a challenging subject for me into a major strength. As the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease was an area where I knew I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My first job out of college was in cardiology, and not only did I end up excelling at it, I really loved it.
I am passionate about treating and preventing cardiovascular conditions, and encouraging people to reclaim their health. I enjoy staying on top of the newest research and guidelines to ensure my patients are getting the best care.”
Emma Zak is a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology. She has 6 years of experience in the cardiovascular field, working in the cardiology departments of major hospitals prior to joining Premier Heart and Vascular Center in 2024. She also served as a nursing instructor at South Eastern University.
Emma is seeing both new and current patients at our new Wesley Chapel – Windguard Circle location, as well as our main Wesley Chapel and North Lakeland offices.
