Agnesian Doctor Receives Superhero Of Medicine Award

MADISON—The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation honored Heather Schmidt, DO, with the Superhero of Medicine Award during its annual fund-raising dinner and silent auction in Wisconsin Dells on April 21. The Superhero of Medicine Award is presented annually to a physician from among those nominated for having superpower-like attributes and using them to go above and beyond the call of their profession.

Dr. Schmidt, a family physician with Agnesian HealthCare in Fond du Lac, also serves as Agnesian HealthCare’s health and wellness medical director.

In his nomination, Derek Colmenares, MD, described Dr. Schmidt’s superpowers as her vision and her tireless pursuit of meaningful impact for the community she serves.

“Dr. Schmidt’s nemesis is complacency. She is never satisfied to concede that some things are just too difficult for one physician to meaningfully improve. A good example was her response to awareness that depression was a growing concern… She stepped up immediately to pilot depression screening for her entire adult patient population and helped design a consistent behavioral health navigation process for those who need additional support. The success and impact of that pilot has set the bar for our entire organization moving forward,” says Dr. Colmenares.

In addition to patient care, Dr. Schmidt has been instrumental in leading Healthy Fond du Lac County 2020 efforts, the Fond du Lac Walk with a Doc program and the Total Living Program. She also serves as a co-facilitator for the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Leading Healthy Work Systems leadership program, which is designed to support physicians in transforming their work life to better serve patients and enjoy a more balanced and rewarding life as a healer.

In accepting her award April 21, Dr. Schmidt expressed her appreciation to the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation and her colleagues at Agnesian HealthCare.

“I am incredibly humbled by this award,” she says. “Agnesian HealthCare is blessed with an amazing group of individuals with vision for a healthier community and creative solutions to address the social determinants of health. I am grateful to be part of this team and thankful for the love and support of my family.”

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation, chartered in 1955 as a charitable organization, works to advance the health of the people of Wisconsin by supporting medical education and public health initiatives across the state.

With more than 12,500 members dedicated to the best interests of their patients, the Wisconsin Medical Society is the largest association of medical doctors in the state and a trusted source for health policy leadership since 1841.