Dr. John Schmidt may be a Chicago native, but he’s a natural fit for Florida. As a kid, his family often visited Cocoa Beach on the East Coast, where he developed an affection for the Sunshine State, surfing and fishing.
So, it’s no surprise that Dr. Schmidt would boomerang back to the East Coast as a college student attending Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne where he earned a bachelor's degree in pre-medical studies and a master's degree in biotechnology.
During his time in college and graduate school he also competed in martial arts and the sport of strongman. His background in biotechnology helped him understand the importance of body mechanics and nutrition for athletes.
Dr. Schmidt explains, "I was an athlete for most of my life and started out on my medical journey trying to learn about improving my own performance. During my time as a an undergrad and grad student I also worked as a personal trainer. That experience was transformative for me. I learned how resilient people are and how with physical activity and proper nutrition people can really change their lives for the positive. I try to incorporate these concepts into my practice daily as a family medicine physician.”
Dr. Schmidt earned his medical degree at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Mississippi. Then, he returned to Florida, where he completed a residency at Florida State University College of Medicine.
A family medicine residency at Lee Health brought him to our community in 2018. He’s been here ever since, completing his residency and becoming board-certified in family medicine.
“I wanted to stay in Southwest Florida and with Lee Health because they’re both a great fit, professionally and personally,” he says. “During my rotation in family medicine, I saw how compassionate and caring my colleagues were with their patients and how involved the physicians were. After completing my residency, I joined Lee Health Physician Group.”
During the pandemic, Dr. Schmidt practiced urgent care medicine at several Lee Convenient Care locations while also practicing at Lee Memorial Hospital. He then practiced at LPG College Point before being offered the opportunity to come aboard Lee Health’s newest primary care office on Sanibel Island, which opened in late July.
Sanibel's new practice location
“I accepted without hesitation,” Dr. Schmidt says about joining LPG’s new Sanibel office, where he teams with Lee Health colleague Dr. Robert Bussing. “There was a need on Sanibel for comprehensive primary care health services. We’re creating a caring, compassionate environment where generations of family members can receive the healthcare services they need locally without leaving the island. We see grandparents, parents, and their kids. We try to keep everyone in the family proactive about their healthcare, from pediatrics to geriatric patients.”
Dr. Schmidt calls the island a diverse beach community with a small-town feel—perfect for raising a family, too. “This opportunity is a dream for me, professionally and personally. Most importantly, I truly believe we’re making a positive impact on the community. I’m very grateful.”
Dr. Bussing and Dr. Schmidt are accepting new patients at Lee Health Sanibel Primary/Walk-in Care
Visit Lee Health to make an appointment in MyChart or call 239-343-6990.
Lee Health Sanibel Primary/Walk-In Care 2495 Palm Ridge Road Sanibel, FL 33957 Get directionsFrom Lee Health to Your Inbox
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