Emily Zhao, MD, of Boston, MA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was the cherished daughter of Qun Li and Lingeng Zhao of Nashua, NH (formerly of Chelmsford, MA), and the beloved wife of Adam Olsen, MD, whom she met during their residencies at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. She leaves behind relatives in the U.S. and China, as well as devoted friends who will miss her curiosity and love of travel, food, and adventure.

Emily was born in Beijing, China on July 10, 1989 and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of five. She graduated from Chelmsford High School in 2007 and Duke University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. An academic high achiever, she went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, graduating in 2015. She completed an Orthopaedic Surgery residency at University of Pittsburg Medical Center Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and went on to complete a Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Fellowship at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago, IL while undergoing cancer treatments.

Emily loved to run and completed both full and half marathons. She traveled internationally with her parents, husband, and friends. Her favorite place was London, where she enjoyed live theatre, restaurants, and sightseeing. She was a voracious reader of a wide swath of fiction, non-fiction, medical texts, and more. She loved Disney movies and was a huge Harry Potter fan. Emily went into medicine because it offered her a place to learn at a high level and to contribute. She decided to become a doctor when she was 9 years old.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Emily’s memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Center or the University of Pittsburgh Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

A celebration of Emily’s life will be held at a later date.