Emma L. Barber, MD

5.0

1090 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Gynecologic Oncology

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Chemotherapy
Fertility Preservation
Gynecologic Cancers
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
Radical Pelvic Surgery
Radical Trachelectomy
Robotic Gynecologic Cancer Surgery

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Yale University School of Medicine - 2006
Residency:: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University - 2014
Fellowships:: University of North Carolina Hospitals - 2017

Board Certifications

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Obstetrics and Gynecology (Certified)
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology/Gynecologic Oncology - Gynecologic Oncology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Assistant Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

5.0

5.0

1090 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 27, 2026

5.0

Dr Barber really listen and answer my concerns and she was very accommodating to my schedule. She just gave me just enough information not to overwhelm me.

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February 25, 2026

5.0

Excellent patient care

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February 21, 2026

5.0

Very thorough and efficient without being too rushed. Helpful information explained in a straightforward and not over bearing way.

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February 14, 2026

5.0

Very thorough, knowledgeable, respectful and kind. Her team is well prepared and it's been seamless thus far!

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February 11, 2026

5.0

I can't say enough good things about Dr Barber. She is best!

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February 10, 2026

5.0

She is brilliant and I trust her fully.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

Dr Barber is so knowledgeable and precise. She is an authority in this area of medicine and I am so lucky to be in her care.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

She listened to me but also did a great job describing my issue.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

The best!

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Dr. Barber is wonderful! She knew exactly what needed to be done and explained everything to me in detail. She is extremely knowledgeable and well respected

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February 07, 2026

5.0

She is as smart, listened and gave reassurance

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February 03, 2026

5.0

Doctor Barber is thorough,explains everything step by step .

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February 03, 2026

5.0

Dr barber is truly the best

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February 02, 2026

5.0

Dr. Emma Barber and her team were wonderful, organized and on top of everything. I had a fantastic experience.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Dr Barber is a great doctor and I think she always does her best to communicate with me takes time to explain things to me. She is kind and thoughtful of my needs.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

She is the best! She saved my life!

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January 22, 2026

5.0

She is extremely knowledgeable and intelligent, experienced, patient, kind... I could keep on going, but I think you get the sentiment.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Very patient in listening and answering

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January 19, 2026

5.0

Couldn't have been a better choice for me, someone who had been traumatized by earlier gynecological care/surgery. She led the way for me to make an informed, "just-right" decision and then carried through with her excellent care. For me it was a healing of not only the physical but also the emotional experience. Her confidence was inspiring and reassuring.

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Her care is exceptional and I have. The greatest confidence in her.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

She takes the time to listen and is compassionate and kind. Pays attention to detail.

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January 10, 2026

5.0

She was very professional, thorough and caring!

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January 07, 2026

5.0

Professional, personal and direct. Exactly what you need when you are facing health challenges.

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January 06, 2026

5.0

Ability to convey medical information in easy to understand terms as a patient

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January 04, 2026

5.0

Dr Barber is always friendly, personable and professional. She is always approachable.

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December 30, 2025

5.0

Brilliant. Compassionate. Totally trust her.

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December 30, 2025

5.0

She's extremely knowledgeable, listens to you and makes you feel comfortable knowing you're in great hands!

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December 25, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is an excellent & caring Doctor who cares about her patients.

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December 24, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is professional, kind and truthful in her approach to handing your care.

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December 23, 2025

5.0

I know I can trust Dr Barber to provide me with the best care possible.

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Very organized. Explained everything, understood concerns and fears and addressed them

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Met with me/patient directly and communicated procedure expectations, along with risks and/or benefits

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December 21, 2025

5.0

Professional and caring.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

My visit at NW Gynecologic Oncology was one of many new doctor's appointments before upcoming surgery. I was happy to meet Dr Barber, who was friendly and upbeat, explaining her part in my surgery. She seemed very experienced in my condition, while reassuring me that her team would take good care of me.

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December 17, 2025

5.0

She is very compassionate.

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December 16, 2025

5.0

caring and engaging; explains things well; listens attentively

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Have already referred her to a dr friend who is referring her!

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December 09, 2025

5.0

She is kind and thorough. Listened to all my questions.

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December 09, 2025

5.0

So caring empathetic and never feel rushed

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December 09, 2025

5.0

Her bedside manner is professional, yet caring and gentle. She is very thorough and transparent.

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December 08, 2025

5.0

I truly feel she is among the best in the field.

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December 02, 2025

5.0

Very smart, knowledgeable, good bedside manner, listens to her patients

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November 30, 2025

5.0

Very responsive, kind and courteous.

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November 29, 2025

5.0

Excellent docty

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November 24, 2025

5.0

She's a leader in her field, and an extremely experienced and competent surgeon. But also explained things well and with compassion.

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November 22, 2025

5.0

Dr Barber really listens and cares. She is extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. She has answered all of my questions and concerns. She is the best surgeon as she healed me.

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November 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is amazing and made me feel very comfortable in her care.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Explain compassionately, outstanding surgeon.

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November 18, 2025

5.0

From the moment I met Dr. Barber when I received the very scary diagnosis of cancer, she put me at ease and explained everything to me. I thank God and Dr. Barber for my successful surgery and for the continued care that I have received from her throughout this journey.

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November 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber saved my life. She is an excellent doctor.

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November 06, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is phenomenal. Not only is she a leading expert in her field, she is also incredibly empathetic, engaged, and genuinely concerned about her patients' health and wellbeing. She takes her time, listens closely, and goes above and beyond _ she even obtained all of my prior records and had a past biopsy re-evaluated for additional factors. I honestly can't say enough good things about her. I'm so grateful to be under her care

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November 05, 2025

5.0

She is a wonderful doctor and very patient friendly

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November 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber was outstanding, Unlike other medical providers at other large healthcare systems, she is not rushed, takes the time to explain all options and possible outcomes and complications.

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November 04, 2025

5.0

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Barber. She is a "star" in my opinion. I have steadily improved the past year and the treatment she prescribed has been very effective. Her demeanor is professional and yet warm. A winning combination.

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November 04, 2025

5.0

Dr barber is the best out there ! She listens and she provides. Super knowledgeable and provides results. Very personable and truly cares for her patients.

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November 02, 2025

5.0

So professional, caring and kind.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

She took the time to sit with me & allayed any concerns & fears I had

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is thorough, takes her time explaining and answering questions. She is caring and concerned. Her team is also very good communicating through My Chart.

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Dr.barber is an excellent doctor. Very though .

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October 29, 2025

5.0

I believe that Dr. Barber saved my life. My surgery was cutting edge and I had no pain afterward. I had six chemotherapies over 18 weeks. Dr. Barber was there every step of the way, going over my labs and discussing my progress. I would refer her to anyone looking for excellence in a surgeon.

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October 28, 2025

5.0

Dr Barber is the best surgeon! She removed all of my tumors and I came out of the surgery with no problems and all margins came back clean. She is the best of the best.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Excellent patient care. Very compassionate

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October 25, 2025

5.0

She's trustworthy an knows her stuff. Plus, she was gentle with the vaginal biopsy in determining SCC.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

At my initial consultation, Dr. Barber throughly explained my diagnosis, my surgical options and recovery time frame. I did not feel rushed during the appointment.

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October 14, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber was outstanding, from providing initial options to surgery and post-op visit. I am so grateful for her expert care, kindness and clear dedication to what she does.

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October 13, 2025

5.0

I am so fortunate to be under dr. Barber's care. She is always on top of gynecological oncology treatments.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

Very thorough.

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October 12, 2025

5.0

She is just Excellent

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Have a had great experience as her patient

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October 03, 2025

5.0

She was recommended by a friend who is a patient. Also saw her speak at NM recent seminar on gynecological cancers. Great knowledge and experience combined with good communication.

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September 30, 2025

5.0

Thorough, caring, and explains well

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September 23, 2025

5.0

I would recommend Dr. Barber to anyone who needed the type of care that she provides. I am so thankful to be in her, and her team's care. I also love the fact that her surgery is cutting-edge. After my hysterectomy, I did not even need to take a Tylenol!

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September 23, 2025

5.0

She's caring. She listens. She's wise.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Great doctors, takes the time to listen.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

I feel I am in good hands.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Kind, knowledgable and listens

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September 17, 2025

5.0

I can't say enough great things about Dr. Barber. She is so knowledgeable and well versed in her field. I'm very fortunate to have her as my doctor.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Dr Barber is direct and thorough, and I appreciate that she wanted me to understand the 'what' and 'why' of her recommendation.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is an excellent provider.

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September 14, 2025

5.0

Friendly and professional!

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September 10, 2025

5.0

Dr Barber is very knowledgeable and caring.

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September 10, 2025

5.0

She listens; she takes the time to respond to questions and concerns. She invited me to contact her later thru MyChart if I had any further questions or any problems.

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September 09, 2025

5.0

As always, wonderful

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Incredibly knowledgeable!

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September 09, 2025

5.0

She was wonderful. Very smart, friendly and explained things so clearly.

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Caring, intelligent, up to date on all the data.

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September 06, 2025

5.0

Her empathy and confidence

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is a skilled surgeon and an expert in ovarian cancer treatment. She is always two steps ahead in her plans for her patients and will talk the time to explain treatments, possible outcomes and side effects and risks. Her expertise and experience is comforting as she guides her patients through one of the hardest times of their lives.

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber is a fantastic Doctor & explains things step by step.

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. Barber took ample time to explain my condition and her recommendations from treatment. She throughly explained the surgical procedure and possible outcomes.

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August 28, 2025

5.0

I was very fortunate that Dr. Barber took my case. She works with cutting edge technology. She has 500 reviews of five star ratings. And most importantly, I believe she saved my life.

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August 27, 2025

5.0

Great leader of her team. State of the art solutions. Personable and kind but with terrific competency. Feel very lucky to have been referred to her.

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August 26, 2025

5.0

I consider her to be one of the best in her field and I value her assessments and the care she provides me.

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August 26, 2025

5.0

Highly attentive and professional.

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August 26, 2025

5.0

Warm, compassionate, professional and highly emotionally intelligent

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August 26, 2025

5.0

Excellent care and knowledge.

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August 17, 2025

5.0

Amazing, kind. And knowledgeable!

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August 12, 2025

5.0

Phenomenal doctor. Highly knowledgeable, caring, and I totally trust her.

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August 12, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable professional and thorough great team even if parking is a huge hassle

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August 09, 2025

5.0

Dr Barber and Karen Novak truly care about their patients. They are attentive and are willing to explore all options for treatment and will do anything necessary to ensure a successful outcome. Cancer is terrible, but they make it a little less so.

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Disclosures

Emma L. Barber, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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HealthBeat

Five Myths About Gynecologic Cancer

Get facts that can improve your chances for early detection and successful treatment.

Ovarian Cancer: 5 Things to Know (Infographic)

Symptoms, risk factors and ways to reduce your risk for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer: Taking on the ‘Silent Killer’

Vague symptoms make it difficult to detect.

More HealthBeat Articles