Stern was known for her contributions to international women's health and for developing Glaserian grounded theory approaches used in nursing research.
She worked on nursing units until she was almost 40 years old and returned to the College of San Mateo for an associate degree.
[2] Stern credited Shirley Chater, a nursing professor and member of her doctoral committee, with helping her to develop as a researcher.
[5] As part of an 80th birthday tribute, Sandra P. Thomas of the University of Tennessee conducted an analysis of the themes apparent in Stern's editorials from Health Care for Women International.
Thomas described Stern as much different than the typical journal editor, asserting that she could be "irreverent, droll, and even a bit risque at times.