Sonja Schoeppel was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She began her career in Oncology during undergraduate studies at Stanford University: Her honors program research resulted in a publication about treatment of head and neck cancer with surgery and radiation therapy. Dr. Schoeppel later attended medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. While a medical student, she returned to Northern California to study at Stanford's Department of Radiation Oncology. During this time she met Drs. Paryani, Wells and Johnson. Her positive experience motivated her to return to Stanford for Residency training after completing her medical degree.

Dr. Schoeppel first practiced at the Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle, Washington. A year later she was offered and accepted an Assistant Professorship at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. While at Michigan, Dr. Schoeppel specialized in the treatment of female malignancies, lymphomas and eye disorders. Research activities included the design, fabrication, and use of a patented applicator for the treatment of cervical cancer. The University of Michigan Department of Radiation Oncology is notable for the development of a 3D treatment planning system: Dr. Schoeppel's studies involved the use of this system to optimize radiation dose delivery.

Sonja’s honors and awards include an American Cancer Society (ACS) Student Fellow Award for study in England, an ACS Clinical Fellowship at Stanford, and the Robert Reid Newell Memorial Award for selection as the outstanding resident of the year at Stanford. She has authored more than fifteen papers and book chapters. Currently, she is a member of the NCI-sponsored Patterns of Care Study for Cervix Cancer. She is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology. She is Director of the Florida Cancer Center—Southside, and Co-Director of the Memorial Cyberknife Center.

On a more personal note, Dr. Schoeppel and her husband Mark delight in interacting with their daughter and son. They enjoy warm weather, beaches, wind surfing, and water skiing.