Sophie Schroeder Endowed Chair in Nursing

In November 1937, Ms. Sophie Yoerg was named superintendent of the Milwaukee Children's Hospital. She dedicated her career to helping children and was dedicated in her work to ensure staff competencies and the care of children was the best it could be. Sophie later married Gehard H. Schroeder and became Sophie Schroeder, which is how we remember her today.

Sophie had a passion for the care of children. She also had a passion for pain management and end of life care. In looking through her personal scrapbook, it is clear she saved those things that were important to her such as community involvement in the hospital, philanthropy and the growth of nursing at Milwaukee Children's Hospital.

In 2002, Nancy Korom, vice president of Patient Care Services, was named the first recipient of the Sophie Schroeder Endowed Chair. With that came funds that are being used to further nursing. Nancy wants to keep the passion of Sophie Schroeder alive by focusing on the following:

  • Nursing education.
  • Nursing research.
  • Nursing education speakers.
  • Bringing in nurse researchers to speak to the nursing staff to promote certifications for nurses.
  • Raising the bar on eduction and competencies of nurses.

As programs are developed, involvement from the Nursing Professional Development Council, Advanced Practice Nursing and the Evidence-based Practice and Research Council will be very important.

We are fortunate to have Sophie Schroeder, even in her memories, as a supporter to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. She continues to be an important part of our future, just as she is an important part of our history.