About

Schmidt Public Affairs is a nationally renowned, award-winning public affairs firm that specializes in integrated health policy and health care communications. We are experts at humanizing complex health policy topics, positioning health care brands, influencing key stakeholders, and shaping public opinion in DC and beyond.

After spending more than 14 years in senior roles with global public relations firms, John Schmidt started Schmidt Public Affairs in 2004 with the vision of an intimate environment that would allow more personalized attention from the top down to a select group of health care clients.

Our multi-disciplinary team of close-knit communications professionals has varied backgrounds in public administration, health policy, political campaigns, academic research, Congressional press relations, journalism, digital marketing, corporate affairs, and nonprofit advocacy – and we all share a passion for transformative health policy communications.

Our clients say we’re a different kind of firm with a unique and effective style. We are a true partner to our clients, working closely together to develop integrated approaches that meet their objectives and exceed their expectations. We’re passionate about our clients’ issues, mindful of their needs, and dedicated to their success.

Citizenship

At Schmidt Public Affairs, we are personally and professionally committed to causes that contribute to the betterment of society — and our profession.

Since its founding, Schmidt Public Affairs has donated more than $150,000 to dozens of charitable causes and organizations. In 2020, we launched a community investment program that is guided by collaborative input from our team. Each quarter, Schmidt Public Affairs provides donations to four nonprofit organizations of the staff’s choosing. Our staff nominates nonprofit organizations in each of the following categories:

  • Local (An organization serving the Alexandria, VA community)
  • State/Regional (An organization serving the DC-Maryland-Virginia area)
  • National (An organization operating anywhere in the United States)
  • International (An organization operating anywhere around the world)

Each submission includes a description of the organization or cause and why it is important to the team member. The organizations can serve in any field or policy area, including (but not limited to) environmental, homelessness/housing, racial justice, health care, patient advocacy, and education issues.

To see a full list of organizations that we have donated to, click here.

We are excited to continue supporting nonprofit organizations that are doing exceptional work in our community—and beyond.

This quarter, we made donations to:

Local

Carpenter’s Shelter

Regional

Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation

National

Native American Rights Fund

International

Doctors Without Borders

Do you know of a deserving nonprofit organization? We’d love to hear from you. Contact Bryan Yannantuono (byannantuono@schmidtpa.com) to let us know about the organization.