Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Schmitz.
Emily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been working as a communicator in the medical and healthcare space since the early 1990s, starting my career in Florida and then later in Texas. Early on, I served as a producer for medical television shows on CNBC and later for the NBC affiliate in Houston. In the early 2000s, I made my way to Austin, started a family, and continued working part-time as the medical reporter for what was then News 8 Austin (now Spectrum News).
By 2008, I was ready for a new chapter and, like many former journalists, transitioned into public relations. What I thought would be a short-term pivot turned into a passion project that kept growing. I launched MedVoice PR, a full-service agency dedicated exclusively to medical and healthcare brands. Over the next 16 years, I had the incredible privilege of working alongside physicians, hospitals, health tech innovators, and nonprofit health organizations — helping them share their stories, connect with their audiences, and make an impact.
In April 2024, MedVoice PR was acquired by Hahn, and I now serve as a senior strategist for Hahn Health & Nutrition, continuing the work I love in partnership with a fantastic team.
I’m especially amazed and proud of how Austin’s medical community has evolved over the years. We now have some of the country’s top specialists and healthcare innovators right here in Central Texas. It’s exciting to see that patients no longer need to travel to Dallas or Houston to receive world-class care — it’s available right here at home.
Outside of work, giving back to our local healthcare community has always been important to me. I’ve had the honor of serving on boards and committees for organizations like the Seton Williamson Foundation, Dell Children’s Circle of Care, The Fifty, Capital Area Parkinson’s Society, The Missy Project, and the Abigail E. Keller Foundation. Most recently, I was appointed to the board of Dress for Success Austin, a nonprofit close to my heart where I’ve volunteered for nearly a decade.
It’s been a meaningful, rewarding journey — one rooted in storytelling, service, and community. And I’m grateful to still be part of this thriving medical landscape in Austin.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No matter what anyone says, the entrepreneurial road is never without its bumps — but it also comes with some incredible views along the way. When I started out, I had a background in broadcast journalism and zero experience running a public relations agency. I dove in headfirst and found myself learning something new every single day.
I could probably fill a book with lessons from those early years. They ranged from client missteps to accounting challenges to navigating the ins and outs of business operations. Most of the time, it only took one wrong turn to set me straight. But one of the more important lessons — and one that took me a little longer to embrace — was the value of having mentors and being willing to be vulnerable. Once I let my guard down and admitted when I was struggling or unsure, I discovered how generous the Austin business community truly is. The mentors I found didn’t hesitate to offer advice, encouragement, and perspective. They genuinely wanted to see me succeed.
Later, when my agency was being acquired, I stepped into a completely new world of business transactions and negotiations. It was a fascinating and humbling experience that taught me even more about leadership and resilience. You could say the past 17+ years have been one big, rewarding learning curve — and I wouldn’t trade a single part of the journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in medical and healthcare communications — and I’ve been at it for more than 30 years. It’s a field that never stops evolving, and I love the constant opportunity to learn about different areas of medicine, healthcare delivery, and the people whose lives are impacted by both.
Before shifting into public relations, I was a health producer and reporter, which gave me the privilege of interviewing some of the most respected medical experts. But what’s stayed with me most over the years are the patient stories — courageous individuals willing to share their personal journeys with the hope of helping others. Those are the stories that remind me why this work matters.
Today, I’m known for helping healthcare brands cut through the noise and tell their stories in ways that resonate — whether it’s through media coverage, video storytelling, or strategic PR campaigns. I understand what works for medical audiences, what journalists need, and how to shape complex topics into narratives people understand and care about.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to this niche. In a world where it’s tempting to be everything to everyone, I’m committed to medical communications. I approach every client, story, and campaign with fresh eyes, knowing that no two are ever the same — and that’s what keeps this work so meaningful for me
What does success mean to you?
I’ll start by sharing what doesn’t define success for me — and that’s the size of my paycheck. As I’ve grown as an entrepreneur and public relations professional, I’ve realized that true success is about purpose. It’s about waking up each day excited about the work I get to do and feeling proud of the quality and integrity of that work.
It’s also about leadership. Am I making a positive impact on the people who work with me and alongside me? Am I creating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired? And, beyond business, am I contributing something meaningful that leaves a lasting mark? If I can answer yes to those questions, that’s success in my book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.medvoicepr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emsschmitz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emily.golerschmitz
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyschmitz/
