A Profound Passion for Patient Care
Emily Schmitt MDx’26 has long understood the importance of high-quality health care. Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Emily first discovered her love of chemistry while attending Eau Claire North High School. Starting from a young age, she maintained a strong desire to understand how the physical world works. So, when the time came to choose a direction, she pursued a double undergraduate degree in chemistry and biological chemistry at the University of Chicago. During that same time, Emily’s father was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer.
“Supporting my father through his arduous journey led me to research epigenetics in college to find answers for why cancer can happen at a molecular level and to eventually support patients like my father with solutions,” says Emily. “From that point on, I became passionate about cancer research, and I began volunteering at a cancer center at the university’s hospital, where I discovered my love and talent for patient care.”
Witnessing her father’s pain, the uncertainty he was facing, and the obstacles he overcame, Emily was determined to provide exceptional patient care in her future career. After completing her undergraduate degree, she worked as a clinical research coordinator at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where she learned a variety of new research skills. She also volunteered at an inpatient hospice facility the year before beginning medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH).
“In hospice, the patient’s quality of life was at the forefront of care, and I admired the physicians as they supported patients in this phase of their life,” Emily says. “That experience was incredibly formative, and I look forward to when I can practice medicine with the same care, attention, and diligence of the hospice care team I met.”
Emily was drawn to the unique curriculum at SMPH because of the emphasis on group learning as well as the program’s attention to public health, which she believes is essential for supporting patients’ lives outside of clinical care. Combining her passions with the experience of her father’s difficult diagnosis, Emily is currently looking to specialize in oncology, while also focusing on patient care and continuing her research in cancer biochemistry.
“Each patient I meet offers me new perspectives on what truly matters to them,” Emily says. “As I begin clinical rotations, I will continue to keep an open mind to find a specialty that best fits my strengths and personality. My goal as a medical student is to support the quality of life of my patients in every encounter.”
The Victor W. Gieschen MD and Barbara Gieschen Great People Scholarship was established in 2009 as a part of the Great People Match. Victor ’52, MD’55 and Barbara ’54’s children created this fund in honor of their parents and in celebration of their father’s extensive and successful medical career. Victor took great pride in knowing and caring for his patients, seeing them as human beings first rather than conditions or diseases.
As the 2023–26 recipient of this scholarship, Emily is receiving life-changing support while achieving her goals in evidence-based medicine. “This generous scholarship has allowed me to experience the positive effects of philanthropy, and I aspire to give back throughout my future career. I have deep empathy for medical students dedicating enormous amounts of time and energy in their training to serve others. I hope to one day help alleviate one of their stressors by providing financial support to medical students pursuing their education.”
Share Your Story
Did UW Health or the UW School of Medicine and Public Health have a life-changing impact on you or someone you love? Be part of the Wisconsin Medicine story by inspiring others with your story. Share it now.