Cheryl Schmidt — A lifetime of service and nursing

Cheryl Schmidt’s journey is a testament to dedication, resilience and service. Born in Warren, Ohio, in 1949, Cheryl was inspired early by her mother, a World War II nurse who trained cadets, and her father, who served in the Army. Personal tragedy — losing both of her sisters to pancreatic cancer linked to contaminated well water — fueled her commitment to health care.

Cheryl served for 22 years as a U.S. Army nurse, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1996. During her time in service, she trained and mentored countless nurses, often balancing leadership with compassion. She recalls telling nursing students how valuable military experience could be, sharing lessons of teamwork, creativity and firsthand lessons in disciplined leadership.

Transitioning to civilian life, Cheryl carried those same skills into her teaching career. For more than 55 years, she has shaped the next generation of nurses at multiple institutions and currently serves as a clinical professor teaching at ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation on the Downtown Phoenix campus. She specializes in community health and disaster preparedness, integrating real-world military and health care experience into her curriculum.