that opened her eyes. Bland is known as the founder of functional medicine — which focuses on discovering the root causes of sickness, rather than focusing on symptoms — and his presentation highlighted how science-based nutrition aligns with both the current medical literature and traditional Chinese medicine and other forms of traditional medicines. “It changed my world at a very young age,” Stephenson said. With her training in allopathic medicine, she recognized that this was real science. “This field — lifestyle medicine, functional medicine, integrative dietary nutrition, whatever you like to call it — it’s not only real, it’s good medicine. And it’s vital. We miss it in our Western world,” Stephenson said. Eager to learn all she could, Stephenson amassed training and credentials to have more tools to help patients. In addition to earning her functional medicine and anti-aging board certifications, she became a certified nutrition specialist, acupuncturist and doctor of chiropractic medicine. She championed a whole-person approach to health and emphasized lifestyle, natural medicine and personal empowerment. Stephenson spent nearly 15 years running an independent medical practice in Indiana before becoming chair of functional medicine at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Giving up daily interaction with patients was a difficult choice, but it allowed Stephenson to impact more lives by designing and developing programs that integrate holistic therapies over CTCA’s five hospitals. The job change meant another massive transformation for Stephenson. She went on to marry the founder of CTCA, Richard J Stephenson, who created the network of cancer care and research centers following the death of his mother from cancer. No longer a single doctor practicing solo, Stephenson stepped into a more public life with a partner in life, business and philanthropic work. All three areas — personal, professional, philanthropy — converge in Gateway for Cancer Research, one of the family’s cancer-research philanthropies. Gateway is dedicated to funding breakthrough cancer research and early-stage clinical trials. “Let’s say you are suffering right now. You’ve gone through all of the normal standard of care, and there’s nothing else for you. That’s what we want to fund — research trials that are ready to get to the bedside,” Stephenson said. In 2019, Stephenson was chair of the 60th anniversary Drive the Dream Gala for Childhelp, the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit advocating for abused and neglected children. She helped raise $4.3 million to support its mission. MAR/APR 2021 | 30 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

Gateway seeks out the most promising research trials, wherever they come from. “We don’t care if it competes with Cancer Treatment Centers of America — we hope it competes. Because there’s no shortage of cases and it’s immoral to compete from a business standpoint, particularly in cancer,” Stephenson said. Stephenson serves as vice-chair of Gateway and proudly points out that of every dollar the public gives to the nonprofit, 99 cents goes directly to clinical cancer trials at leading research institutions. To date, Gateway has provided more than $90 million in funding for more than 190 clinical trials worldwide. But that’s not the only area where Stephenson gives. She works actively with the American Heart Association, and both she and Richard are committed to funding organizations in the areas of children’s health and wellness, poverty and education. They have a history of providing transformational support to organizations like Childhelp and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Though much of the Stephensons’ fundraising has centered on Chicago, it has shifted more to Arizona in recent years. “We started cultivating here in the Valley more and more as my husband and I were spending more time here, because I love it,” Stephenson said. “I really, really like it here.” She finds the local philanthropic community “dynamic” and appreciates the mix of people coming from all over the country. And rather than checking a box to be a good corporate citizen, people here are giving for more personal reasons. “I find the philanthropic community here exciting, welcoming and engaged — and that’s made me want to do more,” Stephenson said. “I FIND THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY HERE EXCITING, WELCOMING AND ENGAGED — AND THAT’S MADE ME WANT TO DO MORE.” Avid outdoor sports enthusiasts, Stacie and Richard enjoy western and English riding and are particularly fond of their Haflingers, a breed known for their flaxen mane and tail. FRONTDOORS MEDIA | 31 | MAR/APR 2021