Toya Schmidtke, Family Nurse Practitioner

Toya Schmidtke, Family Nurse Practitioner, began her employment with Minnesota State University, Mankato, in September 1998.  She is originally from Waterville, MN.  Toya attended Minnesota State Mankato, receiving both her BSN and MSN.  She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. 

Toya currently resides with her husband in Waterville, MN.  She has 3 grown children.  Her interests include knitting, travel, and practicing a healthy lifestyle.  She has previously worked in 4 different hospitals in seven different positions but has definitely found her niche here at Minnesota State Mankato.

Why did you choose to go into college health?

I became interested in college health after preparing for my first NP (Nurse Practitioner) job interview. As part of the preparation for that interview, I did a job shadow here at MSU. I did not receive a job offer for that initial interview. However, after my preparation work, interview, and job shadow, I knew that I wanted to work in a college health setting. After two years of working at another clinic, I started working here at Student Health Services.

What type of visits do you enjoy the best?

The type of visit I enjoy the most is the one-on-one with a patient, educating them about their health and developing a plan for wellness, be it for an acute illness or for ongoing health concerns.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Time with my patients.

What’s unique about the care that patients receive at Student Health Services?

I believe it is our understanding of how the entire college experience, day to day, semester to semester, affects physical and mental health.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy time with family: my husband, my grown children and their spouses, my grandchildren (attending their many sporting events), and my extended family. My hobbies include travel and gardening.