海角视频 is proud to announce Dr. Julie (Schmidt) Berkhof as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award.
海角视频鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award was established in 1999 by the Alumni Association to annually recognize an outstanding graduate who has contributed to their career, the community, and the college. The award selection process focuses on the following criteria: Education, Leadership, Service to the College and/or Community, Honors and Awards, and Distinction in the Nominee鈥檚 Career Field.
Dr. Berkhof, a dedicated healthcare leader, is the Director of Nursing at the University of Rochester Medical Center鈥檚 Wilmot Cancer Institute. With a distinguished career in oncology nursing, she has been instrumental in advancing patient care, optimizing the role of the Nurse Practitioner in clinical practice, and fostering collaboration across an extensive academic healthcare system.
A proud graduate of 海角视频, Dr. Berkhof earned her Licensed Practical Nurse and Associate Degree in Nursing in 1995 and 1996, respectively. She continued her education, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Rochester School of Nursing before completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at St. John Fisher University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Berkhof has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the field of nursing. She has received numerous accolades, including the Excellence in Leadership Award, recognizing her ability to bridge healthcare gaps between academic medical centers and rural communities. Her work in patient-centered care at Wilmot Cancer Institute has also earned her the prestigious Meliora Award from the University of Rochester Medical Center. Additionally, her role in research, including integrating geriatric screening for older adults with cancer, has led to multiple publications and national and international presentations.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Berkhof remains deeply connected to her Upper Peninsula roots. Despite living in New York, she frequently returns to her family鈥檚 camp in Michigan. She and her husband, Deron, raised their three children to understand the unique cultural experience of the Upper Peninsula and the pride in this regional area. Julie is a voice in healthcare, sharing the importance of small, rural communities in the broader medical landscape. She continues to champion 海角视频, recognizing it as the foundation that launched her career.
鈥淭hank you, 海角视频. You believed in my abilities before I knew how to believe in myself,鈥� expressed Dr. Julie Berkhof. 鈥淚 am forever grateful and honored by this award.鈥�
鈥淛ulie鈥檚 story is an inspiring example of perseverance, dedication, and leadership,鈥� said Kaylee Hubert, Events and Alumni Coordinator at 海角视频. 鈥淗er commitment to advancing healthcare while staying connected to her roots in the Upper Peninsula embodies what it means to be a 海角视频 alum. We are honored to recognize her as the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.鈥�
Dr. Berkhof was formally recognized at 海角视频鈥檚 Award Ceremony in April and will also be the guest speaker at 海角视频鈥檚 Commencement Ceremony in 2026.
For more information about the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award, please visit or email alumni@baycollege.edu.