Grooming the next generation of leaders

Christine Candio first got interested in healthcare when she landed in a hospital bed as a child. She chose to become a nurse, inspired by two aunts in that profession.

After working as a bedside nurse for many years, she decided she could have a broader positive impact on patients and hospital staff as a hospital administrator.

Since 2014, Candio has served as CEO at St. Luke's Health in St. Louis, an independent, two-hospital system with 32 sites of care.

There she launched a physician leadership institute to groom up-and-coming medical leaders. She established an exclusive clinical affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic's heart and vascular program. She oversaw the building of a $40 million ambulatory services center. And last year, she spearheaded the acquisition of Des Peres Hospital, another community hospital in St. Louis, from Tenet Healthcare Corp.

Having previously served as CEO of Inova Alexandria Hospital in Virginia and as vice president of Inova Health System, Candio said she's committed to developing and mentoring future healthcare leaders. She works as an advisory board member for the George Washington University graduate program in health administration. And each summer she has a graduate student from St. Louis University shadow her.

“One day we'll be older patients, and we want to be in great hands” is how she explains her dedication to mentoring.

For her exemplary leadership in improving healthcare, the American College of Healthcare Executives has honored her with its 2019 Gold Medal Award.