“Making and shaping public policy is, for me, an incredible honor. The hardest part is being patient. It can be a long, difficult road; but when your vision becomes a reality----the payoff is fantastic.”

Vicki Schmidt has long been dedicated to serving others. The longtime Topeka resident and Wichita native graduated from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 1978 and has worked for over three decades providing quality customer care as a pharmacist.

It was through her work as a pharmacist that Vicki was first given opportunity to work at the state level. She was appointed by then Governor Bill Graves to the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy in 1996. Between 1996 and 2002, she held the positions of President (2 years), Vice President and Chair of the Legislative Task Force. The path led her to the testifying before committees in the House and Senate, where she argued policy restructuring before the legislators. She also was elected to the Executive Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. In 2004, at the urging of colleagues and with the support of her family, she decided to run for the open State Senate seat in the 20th district.

Winning the election, Vicki headed into her first session as a Senator with excitement and trepidation as she learned the ropes. It didn’t take long, however, for Vicki to earn the respect of her colleagues who quickly recognized her passion for public policy, perseverance and commitment to her constituents. She has been instrumental in the passage of legislation impacting health policy, education and public safety.

She has received numerous awards. The American Pharmacists Association awarded her the Hubert H. Humphrey Award in 2007 for her role in providing government and legislative service at the local, state and national level. In addition, she has received:

• Distinguished Community Health Champion Award – Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved
• Champion of Pharmacy Award – Kansas Pharmacists Association
• Kansas Public Official of the Year – Association of Community Mental Health Centers
• Distinguished Supporter of Credit Union Member/Owners Award – Kansas Credit Union Association
• Legislative Excellence Award – National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Graduated Driver Licensing Champion Award – State Farm
• YMCA Woman of Excellence
• Board of Trustees Award – Kansas Pharmacists Award

As a legislator, Vicki has been very active on several committees. She currently serves as

• Chair of the State Pay Plan Committee
• Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations
• Chair of the Health Policy Oversight Committee
• Member of the Transportation Committee
• Member of the Financial Instituitons and Insurance Committee
• Member of the Education Committee
• Member of the Joint Committee for Information Technology
• Member of the Governor’s Military Council
• Member of the Kansas State Advisory Council on Aging
• Member of the Capital Area Plaza Authority

Vicki has been recognized for her leadership skills.  She has been selected for and has completed the following leadership opportunities:

• Leadership Topeka
• Leadership Kansas
• Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development
• Henry Toll Fellowship Program
• Emerging Political Leaders
• Kansas Health Institute Leadership

Vicki takes pride in several Senate accomplishments, including supporting state employees, public education and public safety. She is most proud, however, of the bills she sponsored or co-sponsored that reshape health policy. Three standouts include her work on the state’s new Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which protects patients and reduces prescription drug abuse, her role in lowering the state’s legal age to donate blood to age 16 as High School blood drives are instrumental in creating life-long blood donors, and the introduction of the class approach in controlling dangerous substances.

An active community volunteer, Vicki has worked with several civic organizations. Some of them include:

• Marian Clinic
• Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Advisory Board
• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Executive Committee
• Easter Seals Capper Foundation Advisory Council
• Kansas Citizens’ Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
• Topeka High Booster Club
• Topeka High School Site Council
• USD 501 District Citizens Advisory Council
• Lawrence Aquahawk Swim Team Board Member
• Topeka Swim Association Board Member
• First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees
• Kansas Pharmacists Association
• American Pharmacists Association
• Shawnee County Medical Society Alliance President
• Kansas Medical Society Alliance
• Junior League of Topeka
• Everywoman’s Resource Center
• Topeka Symphony Board of Directors
• Topeka Public Schools Foundation Board
• Topeka Civic Theatre
• Midland Hospice Care
• American Red Cross Board of Directors
• Children’s Day Out Preschool Board of Directors

Vicki and her husband, Michael, reside in southwest Topeka. They have been married since 1974 and were high school sweethearts! When not at the Capitol, Vicki works as a pharmacist. Michael is an orthopedic surgeon. They have two adult sons. Jonathan was a student–athlete swimmer at the University of Georgia, where he graduated with a degree in International Affairs. He is in real estate in Chicago. Tyler was also a student-athlete swimmer at the University of Minnesota. He graduated with a degree in finance and works in Minneapolis. Tyler is married to Lindsey, a teacher. Both sons competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Vicki and Michael enjoy traveling and visiting their children. They are both Masters swimmers with Topeka Swim Association. Vicki is a member of the Kansas Pharmacists Association and the American Pharmacists Association. She has volunteered with numerous local civic groups in the community.

Vicki looks forward to serving the residents of the 20th Senate district, her friends and neighbors.