Cynthia Stephanus
Cynthia Stephanus is a distinguished nurse executive and retiring military leader with over 30 years of experience in clinical and operational healthcare management. Throughout her career, she has excelled in team leadership, patient care, and healthcare operations, holding key positions such as Department Manager at Family Health Clinic, Chief Operations Officer at 21 Medical Group, and Assistant Chief Nurse Executive at David Grant Medical Center. Cynthia’s expertise spans managing large clinic teams, optimizing patient care, and implementing efficient operational strategies, all while fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
Her journey in healthcare began as a registered nurse, progressing through roles that included surgical operations management and inpatient services leadership. Cynthia has been recognized for her structured, disciplined, and warm approach to leadership, emphasizing team development as one of her greatest accomplishments. Her dedication to patient care and team building has earned her accolades such as the DAISY Award, a prestigious nursing honor celebrating extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cynthia is deeply connected to her Palauan heritage and is passionate about giving back to her family’s home country through philanthropic healthcare initiatives. As she transitions into civilian life, she looks forward to opening her own med spa, continuing to make a meaningful impact in healthcare while pursuing her personal and professional aspirations.
• Green Belt in Process Improvement Certification (Lean/Continuous Process Improvement) Team Leadership Certification Additional Air Force leadership and operational readiness training
• Southern Connecticut State University- B.S.
• Peterson Space Force Base
• USAF Academy
• 21 Medical Group
• DAISY Award
• Medical- Surgical Nurses Association
• Air Force Officers Association
• Department of Air Force Women Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the lessons I learned from my parents’ relentless work ethic, a lifelong commitment to continuous self-improvement, and the discipline and structure instilled by decades of military service. I believe in leading by example, serving others first, and building teams and environments where people are empowered to perform at their best—because any personal achievement is only meaningful if it also helps lift someone else up.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering military medicine is to know who you are and give yourself the grace to grow and make mistakes—learning to recover from failure is a true measure of success. Stay confident, ask questions, find mentors you trust, and bring others with you, because leadership is about people, not rank, and the influence you have is greater than you may realize.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in military healthcare right now are motivating multigenerational teams, bridging communication gaps, and improving retention, while the greatest opportunities lie in modernizing patient care, streamlining operations, and using mentorship to build stronger, mission-driven teams that better serve both staff and patients.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, discipline, and service—both to my team and my country. I also prioritize accountability, bridging gaps, and mentorship, believing that a leader’s true strength is measured by how well they help others grow.