INOVA Alexandria's Candio Named a Top Female CEO

After five years of service at INOVA Alexandria, Christine Candio has been named a top female CEO by Washington SmartCEO magazine.

Candio began her career as a bedside nurse then later switched to management. She has spent the last 29 years in healthcare and switched to management because she said she felt strongly about affecting healthcare in a broader sense.

“It’s very important to me that I’m out of my office more than I’m in my office,” Candio said. “I’m out with the staff, the physicians and the patients every day. That’s my model of leadership… It’s very important to be an accessible leader.”

She moved to Virginia five years ago from Boston, but she is originally from New York City.

As CEO, Candio oversees a variety of aspects of the hospital.

“It’s my responsibility to ensure the proper functioning on a daily basis as well as looking at the future in regards to the programs and services we offer,” Candio said. “From an umbrella standpoint, it’s making sure the needs of our employees, our medical staff and our patients as well, and that we have the proper tools to do our job effectively.”

Candio said she does not see any parts of her jobs as being difficult, but rather and opportunities and challenges. INOVA Alexandria Hospital has 318 beds, cancer, cardiovascular, surgical and maternity services. It also offers spine surgery and treatment, as well as diagnostic imaging.

“The healthcare climate changes rapidly and it continues to change,” Candio said. “My job is to ensure my hospital will continually meet those challenges and the changing needs of the community. We are here for the community.”

Throughout her career, Candio has held positions on various boards and is currently an adjunct faculty member of the Georgetown University Graduate Mentorship program. She current holds positions om the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce board, the Technical and Adult Program Advisory Board for the Alexandria school system, the American Hospital Association Governing Council for Metropolitan Hospitals and various other local health and medical care associations.

When asked about the future, Candio said she is constantly trying to find ways to better meet the needs of the community. She said the hospital is currently working on upgrading women’s services, such as labor and delivery and postpartum care.

Candio will be recognized at the 2012 Brava! Women Business Achievement Awards on July 24 at the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University. All of this year’s winners collectively generate $1.7 billion in revenue. Candio was one of 25 winners, out of 90 total CEOs.

“The role of CEO is ensuring we have the proper operations and we’re meeting the community’s needs, but it’s also important we have a strategic focus for the future and providing that road map,” Candio said.