Anna Schmitz was fortunate to grow up surrounded by both sets of grandparents.
She built close relationships with them and, as they grew older, visited them in different care facilities. Even as a teenager, Schmitz could sense that some senior living facilities were better than others. To her, the best ones were those where people seemed genuinely happy to be there.
These experiences planted the seeds for what would later become a pursuit of a career in healthcare. During her high school years in Ankeny, Iowa, Schmitz recognized that her organizational and leadership skills were better suited for the administrative side of healthcare than direct patient care.
“I thought a degree in healthcare management would be perfect because it allows me to work in a field that changes lives and is essential to the world while using my strengths, rather than being hands-on with patient care,” she said.
A Cyclone at heart, Schmitz enrolled in the Ivy College of Business’s healthcare management program when it launched in August 2022. Now, she’s on track to graduate a year early and will earn her degree this May.
“It’s been awesome because I’ve been able to see the major grow, as well as see how many opportunities have grown since I was a freshman,” she said.
Schmitz is grateful to have been guided by passionate faculty members like Natallia Gray, assistant dean and director of the healthcare management program at the Ivy College of Business.
“It feels nice being at a university that’s so big, yet the program director knows me by name and can recognize me in the hallway,” Schmitz said.
Likewise, Gray takes great pride in working with dedicated students like Schmitz, who have fully committed themselves to their education.
“Anna is an exceptional healthcare management student who has consistently excelled in her coursework, including healthcare economics and healthcare quality management, where she was among the top performers,” Gray said.
Schmitz has especially appreciated the hands-on nature of her courses and the opportunity to learn from professionals already working in the field, including guest speakers from various healthcare facilities and organizations like Wellmark in Des Moines, Iowa. Smaller class sizes have also provided Schmitz with a more personalized learning experience.
“Anna is an exceptional healthcare management student who has consistently excelled in her coursework, including healthcare economics and healthcare quality management, where she was among the top performers.”
— Natallia Gray, director of the healthcare management program
Her internships have further cemented her excitement for a career in senior care and healthcare administration. Schmitz’s first was with the Iowa Medical Society in Des Moines, where she gained insight into healthcare administration and policy. She even helped plan Physician Day on the Hill, an event that brings physicians together to educate lawmakers about healthcare issues and influence legislation.
Last summer, Schmitz took on an administrative internship at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa, an experience that affirmed her commitment to senior living. There, she shadowed various teams, from the facilities director to the dietary director and beyond. She also contributed to projects such as developing more efficient CNA reporting sheets, streamlining transportation processes, and enhancing the dining experience with improved menus. Combined, these experiences gave her a deeper understanding of what it takes to run a senior living facility.
“Having a summer at Green Hills and seeing how important your interactions in your day-to-day job mean to these people, I feel like it made the job worthwhile,” Schmitz said. “It’s not transactional. It’s a people job. You’re getting to help people, and it’s usually the last place they’re living in their lives, so why not make it the best experience possible?”
Schmitz’s role at Green Hills was part of the internship program at LCS Foundation, which aims to develop future leaders in senior housing and care. The foundation also supports Alzheimer’s care and research initiatives while providing financial relief for personnel during crises.
In recognition of her dedication to senior living, Schmitz was awarded the 2024 Ed and Sue Kenny Scholarship from the LCS Foundation. This annual scholarship supports the education and professional development of undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the field.
“Being awarded the scholarship instilled in me that the people at LCS see my passion and that this a career I think is worth going into,” she said.
After graduating this May with her degree in healthcare management, Schmitz hopes to obtain her administrator’s license and secure a leadership role in senior living — ensuring her career has a meaningful impact on providing quality care and a better life for seniors.
“Anna’s commitment to senior living goes beyond a career choice — it’s a true calling,” Gray said.
To connect with Anna Schmitz or follow her collegiate and professional journey, visit her LinkedIn profile.
