Dr. Schaefer is a trusted healthcare leader, bringing experience from all sides of the industry—physician, payer, regulator, and patient. Her passion for healthcare innovation drives her work as a consultant and physician coach, where she fosters positive change and promotes wellness. A life-saving liver transplant in 2008 has deeply influenced her commitment to improving care.

As Nebraska's longest-serving and first female Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Schaefer led significant public health efforts, including addressing pandemics, natural disasters, and public policy reforms. She was instrumental in making Nebraska the first state with a preventative care-based employee health insurance model. Her leadership helped shape long-lasting health initiatives in the state.

On the payer side, she transformed payment models toward value-based care and oversaw a high-performing primary care clinic that became a model for quality, patient-focused care. Dr. Schaefer also enjoys working with healthcare startups and advising companies eager to navigate the healthcare ecosystem and create better solutions.

Passionate about physician wellness, Dr. Schaefer serves as the medical director for a statewide physician coaching program. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband of over 30 years, their three married daughters, and five grandchildren, as well as painting and reading.