10 Questions with Stephanie Parker
As Executive Director of Cardiovascular Services, Parker’s role includes direct oversight of the cardiovascular service line, including Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Radiology, Structural Heart, Electrophysiology and Cardiac Surgery at Cape Cod Hospital.
Stephanie Parker has been part of Cape Cod Hospital for over 22 years and in nursing for over 30 years. She has a background in critical care, open heart and interventional nursing. She transitioned to management in 2018 as the director of the cardiovascular procedure area and was promoted last June to Executive Director of Cardiovascular Services. She has achieved specialty certifications in critical care, radiological nursing and leadership. She continues to advance her career with educational workshops and continues her pathway to an advanced degree. We recently caught up with Stephanie to learn more about her new role, her healthcare career journey and what she would like to accomplish by the end of the year.
1. What’s the most important thing you have learned since stepping into your new role last June?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of effective communication, which builds trust and collaboration within a team.
2. Describe your healthcare career journey and how you got to where you are today.
I began my career at Cape Cod Hospital in 1998 in the Cardiac Intensive Care unit. I then transitioned to cardiac surgery, which led me to the cardiovascular procedural area. I continued in the department experiencing different leadership roles to ultimately being promoted to where I am today.
3. What do you like most about your job?
Being part of a hospital system that truly supports our team and expansion of our service line, such as the AFib Clinic. Therefore, we are then able to provide the best care for our community.
4. Tell us about the AFib Clinic at CCH and your role?
Atrial Fibrillation, now so widespread, additional services are now offered in collaboration with our community cardiologists. My role was to help promote, teach and develop new pathways with the help of the Electrophysiologists so the new center can ultimately be successful.
5. What are some of your favorite heart-healthy tips?
Exercise daily and eating right, plus dark chocolate every day!
6. What would you like to accomplish in your role before the end of the year?
So many things! But one of our major goals is the replacement and new build of the remaining cath lab suites.
7. Share some of the educational workshops you’ve been taking and how it helps you in your field.
Over the last few weeks, leadership styles learning series, administrator overview and mastering workplace conflicts.
8. Best advice you have ever received from a family member, friend or coworker?
You can do anything you set your mind to.
9. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? And why?
Heal people.
10. Iced or hot coffee?
Hot in the winter months, iced in the summer.
