Dr. Stephanie Schmitz, MD

I believe that every person who walks into a doctor's office is so much more than a patient.

You are a person with hopes, fears, values, and a life that extends far beyond your illness. Your diagnosis may be an important part of your story, but it is not the entirety of who you are.

This is at the heart of how I practice medicine.

I want to understand the person behind the diagnosis: what matters most to you, what you're afraid of, what you're hoping for, and what makes your life worth living. I need to understand these things before I can truly help you make decisions about your health.

My path as a physician has brought me to the intersection of internal medicine, psychiatry, and palliative care. Along the way, I have seen how easily people can become defined by their symptoms or diagnoses—and how much suffering can be missed when we don't take the time to understand the whole person.

I believe you should never have to be "easy" in order to be cared for. You can be angry, frightened, overwhelmed, or uncertain. I will meet you where you are, listen deeply, and stay with you through the difficult conversations.

I am a deeply curious and thoughtful physician, and also a regular human being who loves fiercely. Outside of medicine, I am a loyal friend, a dancer, a baker, a traveler, and someone who feels most alive when I am exploring the world, spending time outdoors, and surrounded by people I love.

I don't want my patients to spend their lives being patients, either.

My hope is that, together, we can reduce the suffering that is getting in the way of your life—so you can feel more confident advocating for yourself, make choices that reflect what matters most to you, and reconnect with all the parts of yourself that exist beyond your illness.

If you are looking for a doctor who will see the whole person, listen deeply, and stand beside you through the difficult parts, I invite you to schedule a consultation.