Commitment to Patient-Centered Care
“My practice philosophy incorporates devotion to informed shared decision making with a compassionate approach to patient care. My published work focuses on perinatal maternal mental health’s impact on newborn and family development which reflects whole patient care across the lifespan. I believe that exceptional care is grounded in evidence-based practice, allowing space for individualized and empathetic approaches to achieving health.”
Clinical Expertise
Dr. Ward has over a decade of extensive bedside nursing experience prior to continuing her education in pursuit of advanced clinical practice. She started her nursing career in emergency medicine at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, PA and extended her practice to include multi-disciplinary critical care, including trauma-neuro and medical/surgical cardiac intensive care over her tenure. This experience blossomed into a career in critical care EMS and flight medicine which brought her to Minnesota as a flight nurse with LifeLink III. While starting their family, and with the support of her partner, she completed four years of doctoral education in advanced clinical practice at Augsburg University in Minneapolis achieving her DNP degree. Prior to coming to Hennepin Healthcare, Stephanie worked for Mille Lac Health System in Onamia, MN providing primary and quick care services.
Publications
- Ward, Stephanie E., Postpartum Support: Application of a Local Peer Support, Community Care Model (2021). Theses and Graduate Projects. 1079. https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/1079
Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners
- Emergency Nurses Association
- Minnesota Advanced Practice RN Coalition
Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
- Doctor of Nursing Practice, Augsburg University
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Family Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Practice RN, Nurse Practitioner
Personal
“I am an east-coast transplant who was manipulated into relocation by my Minnesota-born husband. I share my life with my partner and children who keep me on my toes. I enjoy playing outside, swimming, and exploring new places. I love to cook, even when the people I’m feeding refuse to eat the food, enjoy volunteering on my church board of directors, and I’m trying to learn Spanish. I have fun participating in triathlons, tennis, and golf but I’m not great at any of them. I aspire to be an old-age, party-hosting snowbird.”
