It is with great pride that I recognize Stephanie Woods for her outstanding leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to advancing nursing practice and patient care across Kaiser Permanente Northern California.

Stephanie is an extraordinary leader who creates an environment built on trust, mutual respect, and ethical behavior. She models compassion and integrity in every interaction, inspiring her team to consistently bring their best selves forward. Her accessibility, responsiveness, and willingness to engage at every level ensure that her team feels supported, valued, and heard.

A hallmark of Stephanie’s leadership is her ability to balance culture, strategy, and relationships to achieve exceptional results. She combines wisdom and practicality—a perfect blend of book smarts and real-world insight—while maintaining laser focus on goals. Stephanie’s ability to bring diverse stakeholders together, coupled with her relentless follow-through, ensures successful outcomes that elevate both nursing practice and patient care.

Under her guidance, the team has transformed proactive education and clinical support, driving innovative initiatives such as the internalization of key services, the launch of new technologies, the reduction of serious patient safety events, and the strengthening of evidence-based practice through policy revision. Each of these accomplishments reflects her critical thinking, problem-solving, and deep commitment to preventing patient harm and ensuring the highest standards of care.

Stephanie not only leads but also develops others. She invests in professional growth, nurtures resilience, and recognizes her team for the meaningful work they do every day in service of patients and families. She is an inspiring mentor whose ability to cultivate strong relationships empowers her team to achieve beyond expectations.

Her leadership is transformational. Stephanie has the unique ability to create a movement and change culture—one that is rooted in excellence, humanity, and caring science. She consistently advocates for her team with organizational leadership, ensures priorities are communicated with clarity, and builds trust that allows her team to thrive.

Stephanie is not just a leader; she is a legacy-builder. Her vision, compassion, and commitment to advancing nursing excellence continue to shape a culture where compassion is valued, and every patient and team member feels seen, respected, and cared for.

 She exemplifies the very best of nursing leadership, and her impact will resonate for years to come.

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I am pleased to recognize Stephanie Woods. She exemplifies what it means to be a transformational leader, results-driven, deeply aware, and consistently committed to excellence with every initiative she oversees.

As a new regional leader, I was fortunate to benefit from Stephanie’s mentorship. She welcomed me into the role and provided strategic insight that enabled me to navigate complex regional challenges with confidence. Her leadership is both empowering and inclusive—she listens attentively, acts decisively, and consistently drives her team to demonstrate executive-level decision-making.

When I was overwhelmed by new responsibilities, Stephanie went out of her way to meet me in Pleasanton. She patiently reviewed my portfolio and shared practical strategies that enhanced my clarity and understanding. That act of generosity speaks to her unwavering dedication to supporting and developing others.

Stephanie has also built a high-functioning team that thrives on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. She brings out the best in people, creating a culture of accountability and innovation. Because of her ability to unify diverse talents, she has earned the admiration of both her team and her peers.

Her impact is measured not only in outcomes but in the way she leads—with compassion, integrity, and a relentless commitment to doing what is best for our patients. Stephanie inspires those around her to reach higher, think differently, and act with purpose. I am blessed to be on her team.


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I am honored to recognize Stephanie Woods, our remarkable Regional PCS Executive Director. Stephanie's leadership goes far beyond her role and responsibilities— Stephanie exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, integrity, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to her team and the mission of nursing practice excellence. Stephanie is a transformational force who uplifts everyone around her.

Stephanie leads by example, with a rare blend of strategic vision and human empathy. She doesn’t manage from an office—she leads from the front lines, making herself visible, accessible, and genuinely engaged with staff at every level.

She consistently champions initiatives that improve patient care while also advocating for her team's well-being. Her decisions are guided by ethical integrity and always rooted in what’s best for patients and staff alike.

One of Stephanie’s most profound gifts is her ability to coach and develop nurse leaders, like myself. She sees potential in others before they see it in themselves. Rather than offering quick fixes, she asks thoughtful, guiding questions that encourage growth, critical thinking, and confidence. I truly appreciate Stephanie's willingness to coach and mentor me for the past three years. Stephanie's leadership style fosters a culture of psychological safety, where people feel comfortable speaking up, expressing concerns, and sharing ideas. Under her leadership, the practice excellence team culture has transformed into one marked by trust, collaboration, and pride. Her presence alone inspires a sense of calm and purpose.

In every sense of the word, Stephanie is an extraordinary nurse leader. She has redefined what it means to lead with both heart and excellence. It is rare to encounter a leader who combines strategic brilliance with such authentic compassion.