Dr. Stephanie Anderson, the executive director of Respecting Choices, is responsible for the overall strategic and operational success and execution of the mission of this internationally recognized program. She has more than 30 years’ experience in hospice and palliative care, home care, case management, and emergency medicine. Anderson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Iowa, specializing in health systems administration.

Anderson has served in a variety of leadership roles. In these roles, her palliative care program was awarded Joint Commission Certification and the system received the Circle of Life award from the American Hospital Association. She led the initiation of and co-chaired the Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (IPOST) movement resulting in new legislation and statewide implementation. She is vice president of the Advance Care Planning–international board of directors.

Anderson believes person-centered decision making, based on an individual’s goals and values, truly transforms care and should be the top priority to delivering exceptional whole-person healthcare.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead

Hobbies and Interests
Family, friends, reading, movies, outdoors