Anna Schmidt, MMSc, MS, PA-C, a physician assistant with the Wisconsin Surgery Division of Otolaryngology, received the UW Health Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Excellence Award in Teaching on October 13, 2021, as part of the first-ever National APP Week celebration.
Schmidt was one of seven surgery APPs nominated for an award out of a total 41 nominees across UW Health. She accepted her award at a virtual ceremony, along with APPs from other departments who received the clinical practice, leadership, and unsung hero awards (link to a recording of the ceremony coming soon).
The other Wisconsin Surgery APPs nominated were Dean Demarais, PA-C in cardiothoracic surgery, nominated for a Leadership Award; Marylou Hagen, PA-C in plastic surgery, nominated for a Clinical Practice Award; Monica Nauta, NP in minimally invasive surgery, nominated for a Clinical Practice Award; Brianna Schumacher, NP in pediatric otolaryngology, nominated for a Leadership Award; Emily Staudt, PA-C in colorectal surgery, nominated for a Clinical Practice Award; and Erik Woodhouse, NP in vascular surgery, nominated for an Unsung Hero Award.
Schmidt’s nominators sang her praises as a go-to educator who’s built that reputation in just 3 years with UW Health. She is the main liaison for APP students rotating through otolaryngology and she works to develop an educational experience to suit each student’s individual needs. In addition, she serves as the APP representative on the Department of Surgery education group, and has developed educational content for APPs in other divisions. She also leads an annual physician assistant (PA) education day and continues to mentor many PA students as they progress through their careers.
“I’m thrilled to receive this award and proud to be recognized among my peers at UW Health,” Schmidt said. “A big thank you to my colleagues for their support and my amazing students who continue to inspire me to provide the best rotation possible.”
APPs include physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. While some of these specialties have their own national celebrations (for example, Physician Assistant Week was October 6-12), this year more than 100 health care organizations joined together for the first time to create a national week of recognition for all APPs.
For more info on APP Week: https://nationalappweek.com/