Joanna Wisloski Ward
Joanna Ward is a retired nurse, global healthcare leader, and consultant whose decades-long career in maternal-child health and pediatrics has left a lasting impact across both the United States and international healthcare systems. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Cornell University in 1969, she began her career at Cornell New York Hospital, where she spent 15 years specializing in pediatrics. Her passion for children’s health and development guided her work in clinical settings and public health, including leading community programs in Detroit and advancing patient education initiatives. Early in her career, she was recognized for her innovation and dedication, including receiving a commendation for developing educational programs for new fathers on infant development.
Driven by a commitment to learning and global impact, Joanna pursued her Master of Science in Nursing at Yale University, becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner and conducting groundbreaking neonatal research. Certified at Harvard in the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, she carried out field research in Peru, studying newborn behavior in diverse environments, and later applied this work internationally. Her leadership roles included working at Stanford Medical Center in pediatric critical care and serving as Pediatric Nurse Manager at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Saudi Arabia. There, she transformed a fragmented pediatric unit into a structured, specialized system, established a step-down ICU, trained multidisciplinary teams, and advanced family education—contributions that ultimately influenced the development of maternal-child health hospitals across the Middle East.
Throughout her career, Joanna was known as a transformational leader, consultant, and advocate for children and families. She held numerous interim leadership roles across the United States, consistently improving patient outcomes, strengthening team collaboration, and elevating standards of care. Beyond clinical work, she also dedicated herself to community advocacy, including environmental and public health efforts. Despite retiring earlier than planned, her legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to healthcare, education, and systemic improvement. Joanna’s life’s work reflects a deep belief in compassion, innovation, and the power of leadership to create meaningful change in the lives of children and families worldwide.
• BSN
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Certified in Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Tool
• Yale University
MSN, Nursing
• Cornell University
BSN, Nursing
• Letter of Commendation from Director of Nursing at UC Medical Center
• Letter from all pediatricians at Bellingham hospital thanking CEO for bringing her
• Selected for first international nursing research poster session in San Francisco
• Sierra Club Executive Team
• Philadelphia Tour Guides
• Volunteered with medical mission in Honduras for cleft lip and palate surgeries
• Started clinic in Detroit public health
• Climate activism with Sierra Club
• Legacy donations to Nature Conservancy for Delaware River and Ocean Conservancy
What do you attribute your success to?
I always knew I wanted to help people from the time I was a child. When I was playing with my doll at age 7, I was thinking about what I wanted to do when I grow up. My doll was sick, and I was helping her with her diaper wrapped around her neck. I realized that all over the world, there would be people that need help, and I wanted to help people. That desire came from being raised with love - my parents loved each other, my brother loved me. I was devoted to my career because it was the love of my life. I was a very fast thinker who could make decisions very quickly, and I had mentors along the way, whether they were colleagues or higher-ups, who told me I was master's material and encouraged me to pursue what I loved. I always found myself teaching families about newborn behavior and growth and development because I loved it so much.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Throughout my career, I had mentors who recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue advanced education. My colleagues and higher-ups would tell me 'you're master's material' after I gave reports or presentations. They encouraged me to go get my master's in something I loved. This advice pushed me to pursue my education at Yale and to always strive for excellence at the best institutions, because I wanted to learn from the greatest minds in healthcare.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think that young women can overcome any obstacle if they have a mind to. It's still too much of a man's world, but you have to stand your ground and not let anyone diminish your expertise. When I was in Saudi Arabia and the CEO questioned me for refusing patients, I told him directly that I was hired to be a pediatric nurse manager, that pediatrics is a specialty in healthcare, and that anyone over 21 years old does not belong in pediatrics. I said if he didn't feel the same way, he could send me home on the next plane. You have to be confident in your knowledge and your specialty. I also advised my nephew when he was at Drexel that he should go into nursing because you can make a six-figure income as a nurse practitioner. Today he's a director of nursing. So my advice is to believe in yourself, stand firm in your convictions, pursue advanced education in what you love, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are caring for one another, respect, kindness, and working together to achieve greater things. I believe we should have healthcare for all, like Medicare for all. I love the diversity of the world and the multiple cultures I experienced through my travels. We all have something different, and we should all respect one another and appreciate one another. We should appreciate our differences and not all want to be the same. I value teamwork - I loved the teamwork I had at hospitals like Bellingham, working with the quality departments to make things so much safer and better for better outcomes. We can do greater things together when we care for one another.
Locations
Dignity Health, Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA 19106