Stephanie Payne PA-C was born and raised in Victoria, Texas, the youngest of three children.  Her father is a family physician in Tyler, and her mother was his office manager before retiring. Stephanie’s passion for medicine began early while working as a medical assistant in her father’s practice.


Stephanie attended the University of North Texas, where she was President of Alpha Phi Omega, earning the service organization’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Key. She graduated with a degree in Sociology, taking a position with the Denton Development Center working with the mentally handicapped.


Stephanie’s continuing passion for medicine led to a position at the Denton Community Hospital Department of Radiology where she discovered an interest in cardiac ultrasound. This in turn led to a nine year tenure as a certified echocardiographer for Cardiology Consultants of North Dallas. Working closely with the group’s physicians and patients served to strengthen Stephanie’s desire to advance her medical education. After consultation with her father and brother (who is also a physician), she enrolled at Missouri State University, earning a graduate degree in Physician Assistant Studies.


In 2007 Stephanie joined Family Practice Associates where she has become a valued member of our practice. We are fortunate to have her expertise in managing our cardiac stress test and ECHO lab. This makes Family Practice Associates one of the only family practices in Texas to have a certified echocardiographer on staff.  We are working in consultation with a well respected local cardiology group to provide expert interpretation of the echocardiograms and stress tests that we perform.


Stephanie is certified through the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants, as well as the American Registry of Diagnostic Sonographers. She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Texas  Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Society of Echocardiographers, and the American College of Cardiology.


Stephanie’s interests away from medicine include exercise and fitness, and spending time with family and friends. While attending college, she co-founded and was lead singer for the original pop/rock band Terra Cotta.  Her band recorded the album Discovery during their eleven year history.  They performed throughout the metroplex in various musical venues, as well as the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival and the Fort Worth Main Street Festival.  Stephanie continues to perform live as a member of a variety of musical projects including rock, pop, and acoustic.