Viterbo student Emma Schoen had a great conversation with retired Gundersen Health System CEO Jeff Thompson, M.D., at one of the university’s monthly servant leadership roundtable discussions.
Hosted by one of Schoen’s favorite faculty members, Tom Thibodeau, the event brought together community members from a variety of fields to discuss their practical experiences with servant leadership. Thompson shared with Schoen his journey of beginning as a janitor at a hospital and working his way up to college, medical school, and eventually an outstanding career in medicine and health care administration. More importantly, he encouraged Schoen to follow her aspirations of becoming a physician and assured her that she indeed had the ability and wherewithal to accomplish her goal.
Thompson, who has been a friend and mentor ever since, is just one of the many people at Viterbo University who encouraged and supported Schoen during times of uncertainty about changing her major in preparation of an eventual career in medicine.
Heeding their good advice, Schoen will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry when she graduates with honors at Viterbo’s Spring Commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9. She will start her career as an ICU technician at Emplify Heath in La Crosse in June, where she will work for a year before beginning the process of applying to medical school.
“These last four years at Viterbo have really been about the people and relationships,” said Schoen, a Bear Valley native and Ithaca High School graduate. “I’m sad to be leaving, but I’ve been so blessed to have this opportunity."
One of those faculty members is Scott Gabriel, professor of biochemistry, who had Schoen as a student in several classes and serves as her faculty advisor.
“Changing her major to biochemistry as part of a pre-med course of study initially brought moments of doubt and imposter syndrome for Emma, but with each success, you could see her becoming more capable, confident, and courageous in pursuing the goals she set for herself,” Gabriel said. “Watching her develop depth, independence, and sophistication in her thinking has been an absolute privilege. Emma embodies the best of what Viterbo hopes for its students. I am excited to see the impact she will make as her story continues to unfold, and I have no doubt she will become an exceptional physician whose compassion and dedication will make the world better.”
This technically won’t be the first Viterbo graduation in which Schoen participates. Her mother Kathleen was pregnant with her when she earned a Master of Arts in Education from Viterbo in 2004. Kathleen had also received her undergraduate degree from the university 10 years earlier. She would go on to impart some important advice to her daughter—the use of to-do lists, something Emma would do often as she made the very most of her college experience.
Highly organized and possessing seemingly endless energy, Schoen’s resume reads like a college recruiting publication. In her time at Viterbo, Schoen has participated in study abroad opportunities to Costa Rica, Spain, and soon South Africa, conducted impressive research through Emplify’s A.C.V. Elston, M.D. Summer Fellowship and Viterbo’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow programs, and completed the university’s honors program. She was recently awarded the university’s St. Catherine’s Medal, which honors students who represent the high ideals of a Catholic college education, and will be one of the student speakers at commencement. She volunteers at St. Clare Health Mission and works as a certified nursing assistant and a campus tour guide. She even recently took up logrolling.
Like most things she does, the transition to biochemistry and pre-med didn’t come without a good deal of research and preparation. Schoen spent more than 90 hours at various physician-shadowing opportunities at local health care providers, which also helped her determine she would like to eventually specialize in emergency medicine in rural and other underserved areas.
“Professor Thibodeau says that success doesn’t need to be measured in money, it can be measured in helping people,” Schoen said. “I want to help people who need it the most.”
Schoen might spend the majority of her time in the science labs and classrooms of Reinhart Center, but her favorite place on campus is San Damiano Chapel. A devout Catholic, Schoen is very involved in campus ministry. She is a member of the chapel’s St. Francis Choir and has participated in three service trips to Casa Hogar, an orphanage and home for children in Peru that is sponsored by the Diocese of La Crosse. A Spanish minor, Schoen speaks the language quite well.
“Emma’s infectious joy and spirit are unmatched on campus,” said Polly Pappadopoulos, Viterbo campus ministry’s assistant director of liturgical worship, ministries, and chapel programs, who Schoen described as her ‘log rolling coach, faith director, and an inspirational figure in my life.’ “No matter how busy her studies may keep her, she is always reaching out to help and serve the community around her. Her strong faith fuels her drive for service and care for others. Emma is a student we are proud to send forth from Viterbo, as she is sure to have a shining future in the medical field. Her brilliance in academics alongside her leadership in service and her Franciscan spirit will help her touch and improve the lives of so many—and she will be singing with joy every step of the way.”
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Discover how Viterbo’s biochemistry program blends rigorous scientific study with hands-on lab experience. You'll be prepared for careers in healthcare, research, pharmaceuticals, and more, all within a supportive, values-based learning environment.
