Dr. Corinne B. Phillips-Ward

Dr. Corinne B. Phillips-Ward, also known as (“Doc,” “CPW,” and “Grandma Doc”) age 73, of McCook, NE passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025 following a courageous battle with ALS at her home outside of McCook. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and physician who will be missed dearly.

Corinne was born July 12, 1952 in Youngstown, Ohio to parents Stephen B. and Donadella “Teny” L. (Colonna) Phillips. She was one of three siblings and graduated from high school in 1970 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Stephen was in the AirForce and she was able to live in a variety of places, including Spain. Corinne went on to attend Creighton University in Omaha, NE, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Corinne received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine (UNMC) in 1990 and started her career at the McCook Clinic in 1994, after completing her Family Medicine Residency at UNMC. She was the first female physician to join the McCook Clinic and she also completed an additional fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She cared for a tremendous number of moms and delivered countless babies throughout her career. She loved seeing the babies as they grew up. It was the honor of her life to treat her patients and ensure their needs were met. Dr. Phillips-Ward practiced medicine in McCook for 27 years until her health forced her to retire.

On August 15, 1986, Corinne married Mike Ward in McCook. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church as well as an avid Husker fan. She enjoyed breeding and riding horses in her spare time. She also enjoyed cooking and was always chatting with family while cooking in her kitchen.

Corinne was preceded in death by her parents.

Those left to celebrate her life include her husband, Mike Ward of McCook, NE; son, Robert “Tate” Hallowell of McCook, NE; daughter, Brianna Ward of Lincoln, NE; brothers, Stephen Phillips (Margaret Wagner) of Muskogee, OK and Patrick Phillips of Eagle, NE; two grandchildren, Jadine and Dalton Hallowell; and numerous nieces, nephews and one, great nephew.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: McCook Humane Society, PO Box 13, McCook, NE 69001 or the Nebraska Medicine ALS Treatment Center, 4242 Farnam St., Suite 650, Omaha, NE 68198.

Visitation will be held from 6 -7:30p on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook.

Recitation of the Rosary will follow the visitation, beginning at 7:30p with Father Bernard Kimminau as Celebrant.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook.